It is one of the 22 dams of the Southeastern Anatolia Project and its purpose is hydroelectric power production, flood control and water storage. This monograph argues that international collaboration over transboundary watercourses is imperative for maintaining peace and stability and should force us into thinking of new ways to address these newly emerging and growing challenges in the field. In order to be able to construct those dams, large areas of land have to be used and forests have to be cleared for this purpose. 0000006693 00000 n As we have seen before, the construction of dams can be quite demanding and time-intensive. Low installation and operating costs 3. Together with a severe drought that has afflicted the region for the past decade, this decline in the quantity and quality of Tigris River water is expected to strangle Iraqi agriculture and hobble the recovery of the Mesopotamian Marshes, vast wetlands in southern Iraq where Sumerian civilization began. 29 Crucial Pros & Cons of Dams 2022-10-28 Pros and cons of dams Rating: 5,8/10 1889 reviews Dams are structures that are built across rivers or other bodies of water in order to block the flow of water and create a reservoir behind the dam. [13], The Ilsu Dam will be a 135m (443ft) high and 1,820m (5,971ft) wide rock-fill embankment dam with a structural volume of 43,900,000m3 (35,590acreft). On the other hand, there is plenty of maintenance, supervision and regulation around the proper operation of those hydropower plants that are located inside dams. Controlling waterways. %PDF-1.4 % Audio Lesson Advantages of Dams Production of large amounts of hydropower Relatively green energy source Reservoirs for leisure activities Additional recreation areas Irrigation of fields Assurance of water supply for locals Water flows can be controlled to a certain extent [8] [3][4] As part of the project, the much smaller Cizre Dam is to be constructed downstream for irrigation and power. gave a lot of jobs. Beginning and Reasons. to the 0000002303 00000 n Why is the Ilisu dam being built? The area will be underwater when the Ilisu dam project comes online. The government, controversially, has started moving Hasankeyfs monuments out of the flood zone by hoisting them onto flatbed trucks and driving them to a nearby archeological park. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. The electricity generated by dams is in little danger of long-term dissipation. For instance, some dams like the Hoover Dam in the US or the Three Gorges Dam in China are visited by millions of tourists every year. Many fishes might even die since they do not get enough oxygen anymore. Dams are used for a variety of purposes, including the generation of hydroelectric power, irrigation, flood control, and the provision of water for domestic and industrial use. [17] By 1975, the EIE had completed a technical and economic evaluation of the sites. The ongoing war between the Islamic State, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Syrian opposition forces has also stretched Iraqs already tight water resources by creating a new refugee population in the region. Another consequence of the dam is the burial and inundation of the Has May 17, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 171/34) Ilisu Dam, Turkey, May 29, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 171/34) Ilisu Dam, Turkey, May 21, 2022, Landsat 8 (path/row 171/34) Ilisu Dam, Turkey, July 13, 1972, Hexagon satellite Koctepe, Turkey. Turkeys government has promoted the dam as a vital development project part of a larger network of dams aimed at reducing the countrys dependency on energy imports and providing jobs in its impoverished southeast region. These experts may also be quite rare and municipalities may have a hard time finding the right staff to operate those dams, especially in regions where education levels are rather low. campaign, Switzerland, HERMES Why is the dam being built? Water clean up 3. This makes it an effective means of generating a renewable source of energy. Thus, decision-makers should take this fact into account and realize that dams are not a short-term solution to overcome certain problems. In this article, the pros and cons of dams are examined. Hydroelectric power plants and dams can be incredibly expensive to construct, regardless of the type of building, due to logistical challenges. What are advantages and disadvantages of dams? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_8',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',189,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-2-multi-189{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}For instance, if there are heavy rainfalls, villages may become flooded in a relatively short period of time and many people might die due to that. It is one of the 22 dams of the Southeastern Anatolia Project and its purpose is hydroelectric power production, flood control and water storage. 0000006036 00000 n Unlike most of the other towns, however, Hasankeyf has been continuously inhabited for 12,000 years. Risk of Flood. This dam will bring big gains to the local people." The reservoirs that are created through the construction of dams can also be used for recreational purposes. If water flows are changed, also the level of sediments that settle at a specific location in the river will be altered. Grand Rapids is one of many communities in Michigan where aging dams offer opportunities for habitat enhancement. Also the construction costs for dams are significant. Therefore, also the food production capacities in the respective region will increase substantially, which will be especially important in poor regions where the local population is dependent on the yields of farmers in order to survive. Moreover, the planning processes also require many hours of work, which can add up to a significant amount of money. Therefore, dams are also an important tool to control the water flows and to regulate the water supply of whole regions. Chapter five of the monograph outlines the law governing the Tigris-Euphrates Basin. Three examples of conflict over transboundary watercourses, one historical and two current, are then provided in order to illuminate some of the barriers to collaboration. Thus, especially in times of droughts, there might be plenty of conflicts regarding how water flows should be altered by dams. The Ilisu Dam, built upstream from the existing Mosul Dam in Iraq, has drained most of the Mosul Dam catchment area. On the one hand, plenty of work is needed in order to plan and construct a dam. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. TR. The originally planned Mosul Dam watershed (with an area of 54 900 km 2 ) has . The Turkish government began planning the dam in the 1950s as part of a larger regional development plan, the Southeastern Anatolia Project, which involved constructing 19 hydroelectric plants and 22 dams on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Back While the power source itself is carbon dioxide-free, building dams along a river can have consequences for the native fish species. So far the dam has contributed 51M$ energy towards economy. How should we decide when a dam should be built? Construction of the dam was suspended temporarily late in the year. Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 USA, +1-434-924-3900 About 199 settlements (villages and hamlets) will be fully or partially affected by flooding as well. 0 xb```f`` @1XC aV3[-m j5k`Pri``PRn*e`~& 2edcZa7#f&21U30 i& 0 Its impact will be mostly felt in the Southern part of the country, located at the downstream end of the Tigris River. The new Ilisu dam will be one of the largest in Turkey; the government says it is needed to generate power to serve the . The title of her talk was Damming Eden, Water Security in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. In 2013 she traveled with a team for National Geographic along the Tigris River to conduct field research into the impact of recent dam and irrigation projects in the area, and answered a few questions for us. In the long run, water bodies may be covered with algae and the whole ecosystem may collapse. At our current point in time, the construction of dams can cost many billions of USD since it involves the use of large amounts of material. [9], Ilisu Dam has attained water level of 513m on 19 April 2020, and it is less than 12m from the maximum conservation level of 525m, according to CNN Trk citing the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) by an AA correspondent. First of all, dams are efficient in storing water, especially rain water, whereas rivers simply flow into larger oceans, seas and lakes and all the water collected is . The most terrifying threat the Islamic State posed to the region in terms of water security was when it briefly took over Iraqs Mosul Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam on the Tigris River, for ten days in 2014. Especially in the Southern hemisphere of our planet where water will become an even scarcer resource due to global warming in the near future, dams may be quite important in order to ensure the water supply of farmers. You can also rent a boat. Ataturk Dam, which stores 75% of the Euphrates water, with a capacity of 50 billion cubic meters equivalent which is as big as 650 Iranian dams and is also equivalent to half the capacity of the total water in Iran and Ilisu Dam with more than 10 billion resorvior, prevents 56% of Tigris water from entering the Hour-al-Azim in southwest Iran. However, due to global warming, water will become a quite scarce resource in the future and people may literally fight over water in the near future. The following story is part of series on Turkey's Ilisu Dam project and the flooding of Hasankeyf. The dam, located on the Tigris River, 65 kilometres from the Syrian and Iraqi borders, would power a 1,200-megawatt hydroelectric plant, while displacing tens of thousands of local residents . Since hydropower can be considered to be a sustainable and relatively green energy source, it will also play a crucial role in the transition process from fossil to alternative renewable energies. Below, we'll explore these pros and cons in further detail. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Per the vendor, this simple yet intuitive solution gives organizations a visual way to centralize, organize and share all their digital brand assets, empowering them to save valuable time and gain a. Canto is Great for Multi-Faceted Companies Needing to Share Documents Easily But while it is deemed as very beneficial, it also has its downsides. When these glaciers disappear, so will the water supply during the dry season. This entry was posted Articles > Pros and Cons of the Dams. Hydropower Pros and Cons. Is it the case that the dam is the only reason for their water challenges? List of the Advantages of Dams 1. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan is also committed to the Ilsu Dam Project as well and claims Turkey will use internal or other international funding. Before the 2006 ground-breaking ceremony, German, Swiss and Austrian export credit agencies had agreed to fund $610 million of the project. What are the pros and cons of building dams? The Three Gorges Dam was built in China and it has had a lot of economic disadvantages. Dams have a variety of purposes, including energy generation, irrigation purposes, the creation of habitats for the local flora and fauna or the construction of reservoirs for leisure activities. The Kurdish Human Rights Project, Friends Ilisu dam and hydroelectric power plant location. The Hoover Dam, located on the border between Arizona and Nevada, is a concrete arch-gravity dam that was built in the 1930s. [8] As of November 2019, the hydroelectric power generation would start in February 2020. 2. This form holds the poured, reinforced concrete that is the dam itself. Ilisu is at present the largest dam project in Turkey's pipeline. Thus, dams can also be an important economic factor, which can vastly increase the income of municipalities as well as for many small businesses. For instance, if you live nearby one of those reservoirs, you can go fishing or swimming with your family. Without dams, people have to rely on natural water flows and do not have control over where the water will actually end up. Large dams have led to the extinction of many fish and other aquatic species, the disappearance of birds in floodplains, huge losses of forest, wetland and farmland, erosion of coastal deltas, and many other unmitigable impacts. For starters, dams are a key piece of our modern infrastructure and are critical for providing plenty of drinking water in the form of built-up reservoirs as well as helping to generate a significant amount of the world's electricity. Advantages of hydropower 1. They provide water for irrigation, prevents of floods and generates electricity. It's flooding was predictable, provided farmers with resources, and was often the only source of irrigation. Pros of the dams 1. Here are the pros and cons of hydropower: List of Pros of Hydropower. Was 800 feet high. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-box-3','ezslot_1',614,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-3-0');Dams are a kind of barrier which aims to restrict or stop the natural flow of water. Ms. Thaman is an attorney and teacher in California. Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? We cannot blame dams for improper rehabilitation. Dams average two to 4 metres in height and 20 metres in length, but sizes vary greatly from place to place. 65 km from the border with Syria and Iraq. After getting to know the basics, lets move on to the actual topic; the pros and cons of a dam. In some cases, the existing law governing the utilization of this ephemeral resource has proven inadequate to prevent conflict and ensure access to water and its benefits for people and ecosystems no matter where they lie along the length of the watercourse. Moreover, the projects take long periods to finish and will have to operate for a long time to recover the money spent on construction. 20 16 Purpose of Dams: When a huge barrier constructed in the way of flowing water of a stream channel or river to prevent water from wastage, and store it for future consumption, it is known as a dam. Existing agreements between the states, both colonial era and post-WWII, and the application of the UN Watercourses Convention are then examined. Its power station will be above ground and will contain 6 x 200 MW Francis turbine-generators with an expected annual generation of 3,833 GWh and gross hydraulic head of 122.6m (402ft). Three decades of conflict between the Turkish government and the PKK has resulted in the depopulation of many hamlets in the area, and so now their original inhabitants will never be able to return home either, in addition to the others who still live in the region. HWMchHq=tP4Vh__fV!vLD#DV/_{6Dj~|F'$JMfh:HmFh4b0?|UFj[Y4r?[QV,~? [35], Completion of the Ilsu Dam caused the flooding of the majority of the ancient city of Hasankeyf, whose history stretches back over 10,000 years. If dams have both costs and benefits, how should we decide when a dam should be built? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_12',193,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); This not only increases the popularity of a whole region, it also leads to plenty of income for the local economy since tourists will have to sleep in hotels and eat in restaurants. Therefore, dams can also be quite beneficial in order to assure the supply of goods for the local population. 20 0 obj<> endobj This is still the case in many rural areas of our planet. In July 2019, all the required permissions were granted and water collection in the dam commenced. However, in order to do a good job in this regard, plenty of experience is needed since it is not easy to assure the optimal amount of water in many different areas at the same time. What are advantages and disadvantages of dams? Dams have harmed our wildlife and made rivers less useful for recreation.. The Ilisu Dam, completed as part of Turkey's Gneydou Anadolu Projesi (Southeasternanatolian Development Project or GAP for short in Turkish) in 2019, has faced heavy criticism from both local as well as international observers and downstream countries on the Tigris. The following essay by Raquella Thaman is a summary ofher recently published monograph (under the same title), which appears in Brill Research Perspectives in International Water Law. A small dam called a cofferdam is built upstream of the construction zone to help funnel water into the diversion tunnel. How hydroelectric energy works. [25] As of April 2014, the project is 60% complete while the resettlement of Hasankeyf is 73% complete. Back to Turkish River Page The town, which sits on the banks of the Tigris River in southeast Turkey, will be inundated as part of the construction of the Ilisu Dam, which will produce power for the region. Besides the construction of the dam and relared hydroelectric power plants, the Southeastern Anatolia . The water level had reached an elevation of 498.2m on 1 April 2020. The dam's system can control and manage water flow, so it is also serving as an alternative and multi-purpose structure that can produce an enormous amount of power, while at the same time controlling natural disaster. The construction of dams can also lead to the creation of many jobs. In general, dams are often quite problematic for aquatic life. The history and ecology of the Tigris-Euphrates Basin, and the issues surrounding Turkeys recent impoundment of water behind the Ilisu Dam on the Tigris, provide an example highlighting such challenges. Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Dam. In Turkeys Kurdish-dominated southeast, where Ilisu will inundate 300 historical sites and displace between 25,000 and 75,000 people, many people perceive the project as an effort to exert more control over the natural resources in the region and, by extension, the people who live near them and rely on them. Through the construction of dams, also the water flows are often slowed down, which in turn contributes to higher contamination with algae. 2) Serve as a Source of Drinking Water. [22] On 15 July 2010, Andritz Hydro lifted a temporary suspension on supplying parts to the project and announced it would provide the six 200 MW Francis turbines for the power plant. A new dam and reservoir threatens to drown the city. Advantageous river sediments 5. Hydroelectric power: Water stored in the dam is used to generate electricity. This hinders the recovery of the Mesopotamian Marshes. [17][18] Turkey's Electric Power Resources Survey and Development Administration (EIE) included 10 potential sites in its 1971 Tigris River Pre-Investigation Report. An important part of electricity. 100 Darden Blvd He drained the marshes in the 1980s and 1990s by diverting the Tigris into a giant canal. Due to rainfall, the dam has achieved water levels up to 100m above the river bed and stored 5 billion cubic meters of water. 1) Provides Help to Retain our Water Supply. University of Virginia There are several advantages to the Hoover Dam. Additionally, the responsibility of the international community for helping at risk communities maintain access to adequate water supplies cannot be overlooked. Extensive hydropower production 2. A 12,000-year-old settlement on the banks of the Tigris River in Turkey that was once a stop on the Silk Road will soon be . Therefore, especially for people who live in big cities and have stressful jobs, reservoirs nearby cities may be a great place to spend their weekends and to relax from their demanding daily life. Flood control 10. All Rights Reserved. Thomson Reuters Uses Cask to Enable Rapid Time to Value From Big Data, Drexel Hamilton Research Analysts Earn Top Rankings in Thomson Reuters Analyst Awards, Denver Investments' Westcore . We as humanity have to switch to renewable green energy sources as soon as possible in order to slow down global warming and to mitigate all kinds of pollution issues. Thus, by using hydropower instead of fossil fuel power plants, we can vastly improve our overall air quality. It is of irreplacable importance for the existing habitat. Dams have been used in the history of mankind for a quite long time for irrigation purposes. However, if there is a dam or a weir which suddenly blocks their way, those fishes may not be able to reach their mating location and the population of those fishes may greatly decrease due to that. Renewable. Because of this, the dam lost international funding in 2008. Archeologists are still discovering new artifacts in the town the most recent Neolithic settlement was unearthed in September and they estimate that most of Hasankeyfs archeological sites will be flooded before they can be excavated. If people are dependent on the water supply from reservoirs and dams, chances are that politicians will gain great power over them, which may lead to unpleasant outcomes in the long run if the government has the wrong intentions. Turkey's downstream neighbors say the dam will dramatically reduce the flow of the Tigris into Iraq and Syria, pointing to similar declines in river levels that ensued from previous Turkish dams. Ms. [27] On 3 February 2015, a convoy of supplies for the dam was attacked, injuring three. However, pressure from environmental and human rights groups have often halted this process. 3. What has happened as a result of the dams in Turkey being built? Iraq has also been adversely affected by dam projects and agricultural developments in Iran. Therefore, depending on the region and the energy production potential, the construction of dams may also not make too much sense from an economic perspective. [19], There was little movement on the project for more than 15 years until the dam was added to the State Hydraulic Works' formal construction program in 1997 or 1998. Human rights of the indigenous communities ignored. Several days later a worker was killed in his home by suspected PKK militants. Source of recreation 7. In turn, this could lead to a change of nutrient levels in the water and many water organisms may have to adjust to those new conditions or might be forced to move if they do not like those conditions at all. 5. Generating 1,200 megawatts of electricity, it's Turkey's fourth largest dam in terms of power generation. The dam's reservoir will have a capacity of 10,400,000,000m3 (8,431,417acreft), of which 7,460,000,000m3 (6,050,000acreft) will be active (or live, useful) storage and 2,950,000,000m3 (2,390,000acreft) will be inactive (dead) storage. Dams are extremely expensive to build and must be built to a very high standard. Dams may also be kind of a tourist magnet. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); For instance, nothing is perfect and through construction or maintenance mistakes, dams can eventually break. Presentation by Catherine S. Was completed in 1935. How long it really takes depends on the complexity and the size of the project. This will also be quite costly and those costs should also be factored in when it comes to the initial decision regarding whether it makes sense to build a dam or not. The Ilisu Dam is the most recent in a long line of Turkish projects meant to tap into the hydroelectric potential of both the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and once completed the Ilisu Dam will generate 1,200 MW, or roughly 2% of Turkey's energy needs. The stance of the Tigris-Euphrates Basin states and their seeming embrace of outdated and conflicting approaches to resource allocation are examined. When it has, Iraqi officials estimate it will reduce the downstream flow of the river by at least half, allowing more salty water to flood into the river from the Persian Gulf in southern Iraq. Controllable water flows 9. Thus, the decision whether the construction of a dam is reasonable or not should be made on an individual basis in order to maximize the benefits of as many people as possible. Since through the construction of dams, the water flows can be changed to a certain extent, dams can also be a great tool to create waterways for transportation purposes. In addition, water shortages, lack of rainfall and depleted soils led nearly to a halt in farming rice, corn, sesame, sunflower seeds and cotton;[44] and a decrease in the area planted for wheat and barley by half for the 201819 season. Dams are constructed on natural streams and rivers. All works are expected to be completed in 2015. Ilisu Dam is not only the tip of the iceberg, but it will remain an unfortunate milestone in the history of Iraq's water security. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues. This ongoing availability is a huge factor when weighing the hydroelectric dams pros and cons. Ilisu-Wasserkraft.com (e,d). 2. The dam was officially completed on September 18th 2009 after 10 years of construction with an official cost reaching roughly $27 billion US dollars to date The "economic disadvantages of the three gorges dam" is a topic that has been discussed for years. The Southeastern Anatolian Project was set up to eliminate regional development disparities. Dams should only be built when the benefits of building them greatly outweigh the costs. However, deforestation is known to be quite harmful to our environment since large amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted into the air when forests are cleared. [41] Such impacts which might lead to the drainage of the Mesopotamian Marshes and destruction of its ecology system,[42][43] were part of the reasons to the emergence of a new wave of Iraqi protests, along with several other issues, especially in Basra Governorate. Excavations for the main body of the dam began in May 2011 and the first loads of fill were laid in January 2012. Pros Cons; The dam controls the Yangtze River floods, saving lives and homes: Loss of fish and extinction of the river dolphin: The dam is a major source of renewable power, replacing coal as a source of power: Flooding of good farmland: The dam has made it possible for ships (commercial and recreational) to travel much further inland. It is one of the 22 dams of the Southeastern Anatolia Project and its purpose is hydroelectric power production, flood control and water storage. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. [45][46], "Ilsu Dam Environmental Impact Assessment", "Court Case Could Slow Turkish Dam Project", "Hima Mesopotamia: Travels in Jordan 2013: Ilusu Dam", "Hima Mesopotamia: Travels in Jordan 2013: Chronology of the Ilusu Dam Project", "Sorrow and hope as dam starts submerging historic town of Hasankeyf", "Turkey starts filling huge Tigris river dam, activists say", "Water volume in Ilisu Dam 5 billion cubic metre", "Cumhurbakan Erdoan aln yapt: Ilsu Baraj'nda elektrik retimi balad", "Turkey starts generating power from controversial Ilisu dam", "Turkey's Ilsu Dam generates $51M for national economy in 3 months", "DSI X. Risk assessment of dam removal needs to be done before any work concerning the removal of a dam. The Ilisu dam, part of the Southeast Anatolian project (Gap) and one of Turkey's largest hydroelectric projects to date, has been mired in controversy ever since it was first drafted in 1954 . 0000001036 00000 n The Ilisu dam has a designed capacity of The problem with frequent flooding that threatened the Yangtze delta every summer was eliminated. [18][19], On 5 August 2006, the foundation stone for the dam was laid and initial construction began. Dams should rather be considered as a long-term investment and also the decision regarding whether it makes sense to build those dams should be made by taking a long-term perspective rather than evaluating the project on a short-term gain basis. Web site of the Campaigne Ilisu, Initiative 479 Ilisu Dam Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 479 Ilisu Dam Premium High Res Photos Browse 479 ilisu dam stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The dam has drawn international controversy,[5] because it will flood portions of ancient Hasankeyf and necessitate the relocation of people living in the region. 0000002811 00000 n It impounds the Colorado River and serves several important functions, including hydroelectric power generation, water storage, and flood control. Moving through the hydrologic cycle, each molecule may find its way from a transboundary watercourse on one continent to a municipal water supply on another, and then back again. Since the U.S. invasion, the marshes have been making a slow recovery, but the Ilisu Dam will place their survival in jeopardy once more, according to environmental scientists.