Large dams |
Iconic discussions
The economic impacts of large dams were recently discussed at a presentation that gave a comparative analysis of the Nile and Colorado Rivers
Above: Panoramic view from above Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River
TWO ICONIC DAMMED RIVERS, the Colorado River and the Nile River, are both undergoing dramatic transformations, and were recently put under the spotlight during an event organised by the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford in England. Professor Kenneth Strzepek, Research Scientist
Below: Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in the US
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US; Dr Kevin Wheeler from the Environmental Change Institute; and Professor Jim Hall from the Oxford Martin Programme on Transboundary Resource Management, discussed how major infrastructure developments have played a pivotal role in shaping the regional economies, livelihoods, and environmental conditions of these two critical transboundary river systems. Growing dependency on the systems is being driven by population growth and economic expansion, and increasingly challenged by
water scarcity that is partly driven by climate change. “There could hardly be a more controversial artefact of infrastructure than large dams,” Hall said. After listing the more negative impacts of large dam developments he added that it would be hard to imagine how civilisation can function without the essential water storage they provide around the world, particularly in places with very high hydrological seasonal variability. He said that it’s quite a balance sheet to weigh up where the economic benefits justify the impacts and costs, and over what timescales do these benefits and impacts materialise.
“How do we value what is bequeathed to future generations in these vast and immovable pieces of infrastructure?” Hall asked. The Oxford presentation gave a comparison of the
hydrology, infrastructure, institutions, and hydro- politics of the two transboundary river basins. The role of the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams on the management of the Colorado River for beneficial use in the Southwestern US and Northern Mexico was analysed and contrasted with the historic role of the High Aswan Dam on water management in Egypt, with extensive plans for major water infrastructure expansion across the Upper Nile Basin. Often called the Nile of North America, the Colorado Basin crosses two sovereign countries, 22 recognised tribal regions, and seven states, encompassing a population of 40million. In comparison the Niles crosses 11 countries with a population of 250million people. The Nile’s flow is about four times greater than the Colorado, while per capita the Colorado has about 500m3
Nile has 336m3
of water available per person per year, and the .
Both basins were developed unevenly and are dominated by two large reservoirs with smaller reservoirs downstream, and this requires extensive coordination to ensure effective management.
34 | May 2023 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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