Down Go the Dams
By: Jane C. Marks
- The dam in Fossil Creek was created by engineers in 1916, these dams were made to redirect water flow from one place to the hillsides onto the hydroelectric plants.
- Many dams as of late are being destroyed due to popular demand for a natural river, and even for experimental use in hopes for a better way to harness energy.
- Dams are in question in both scientific and modern world; it seems that it not only displaces people but it interrupts the natural migratory instinct in fish, and even cause the destruction of both ecosystems and waterways.
- In the U.S. the rate of which dams are destroyed is outnumbering the rate in which it is constructed in the past decade.
- It appears that destruction of dams have an verse correlation to the ecosystems health and diversity; such as the Kennebec River, that flourish with wildlife only a few years after taking the dam apart.
- Scientists have found that sediments that come from the dam block waterways and blocks the regular sanitizing of the land in which water usually allows; due to this the environment becomes infested with algae and ultimately undergo detrimental effects to the ecosystem.
- Dams have interrupted the species natural migratory pathways up the stream hence altering different types of behavior in species and causing an imbalance to the species and the ecosystem as a whole.
- Dam construction has cot a lot as well a making sure it is working properly and having the right repairs on it in time.
- Dam destruction poses a threat to those that live nearby endangering both their lives and possible livelihoods.
- However restoring the land and the waterways that are originally present in the neighborhood can provide surprising benefits.
Summary:
Fossil Creek dam has started an unintended trend amongst the environmental and economical communities. Many found that having a Dam not only cost a lot to construct, but also keep up with specially when it comes to repairs and different types of maintenance that it needs. Dams also pose the problem of damaging the ecosystems and how much it alters the health of a whole environment. Worldwide, approximately eight-hundred thousand dams are working and of those forty--five thousand large and many are dependent upon. In an economically standpoint, although it is very high maintenance, it provides for jobs for other people. However, ecologically it has destroyed several ecosystems and waterways due to the disruptions to the sediments and the natural way in which water cleanses the environment. Carrying the sediments away would help the health of a river's ecosystem, however with the sediments accumulating, the algae overpopulates and drives natural occurring animals from their habitat. Many dams are now undergoing a process for it to be destroyed and reverted back to its original state. It poses alarming questions to the safety of the communities near the dams. However there are positives to returning the course of waterways to its natural course such as the abundant and variety of species that will come after the dams are destroyed.
Reflection:
I understand that building and destroying a dam are costly; also it poses a danger to the people that reside near the area. However, I am curious of the maintenance of the dam outweighs the positive things that destroying it will bring. I am also aware that the destruction of these dams will also cause several hundreds of people to lose their jobs; because as much as it is high maintenance, the dams have people that fi it ad people that work to keep it up to date and safe. At an economical standpoint it is hard to know all the variables that may come into play on destroying a dam; however ecologically I am all for it. People have caused enough damage through altering the natural ways of an environment; sometimes it doesn't hurt to bring back some of the natural habitats that may have been destroyed along the way. Allowing nature to both heal itself while providing ourselves with the benefits of it such as recreational activities and family bonding. Ultimately a way to get back to our roots.
Fossil Creek dam has started an unintended trend amongst the environmental and economical communities. Many found that having a Dam not only cost a lot to construct, but also keep up with specially when it comes to repairs and different types of maintenance that it needs. Dams also pose the problem of damaging the ecosystems and how much it alters the health of a whole environment. Worldwide, approximately eight-hundred thousand dams are working and of those forty--five thousand large and many are dependent upon. In an economically standpoint, although it is very high maintenance, it provides for jobs for other people. However, ecologically it has destroyed several ecosystems and waterways due to the disruptions to the sediments and the natural way in which water cleanses the environment. Carrying the sediments away would help the health of a river's ecosystem, however with the sediments accumulating, the algae overpopulates and drives natural occurring animals from their habitat. Many dams are now undergoing a process for it to be destroyed and reverted back to its original state. It poses alarming questions to the safety of the communities near the dams. However there are positives to returning the course of waterways to its natural course such as the abundant and variety of species that will come after the dams are destroyed.
Reflection:
I understand that building and destroying a dam are costly; also it poses a danger to the people that reside near the area. However, I am curious of the maintenance of the dam outweighs the positive things that destroying it will bring. I am also aware that the destruction of these dams will also cause several hundreds of people to lose their jobs; because as much as it is high maintenance, the dams have people that fi it ad people that work to keep it up to date and safe. At an economical standpoint it is hard to know all the variables that may come into play on destroying a dam; however ecologically I am all for it. People have caused enough damage through altering the natural ways of an environment; sometimes it doesn't hurt to bring back some of the natural habitats that may have been destroyed along the way. Allowing nature to both heal itself while providing ourselves with the benefits of it such as recreational activities and family bonding. Ultimately a way to get back to our roots.