Abstract
The paper focuses on the environmental and social consequences of hydroelectric dams. The first two sections look at the positive side of the argument and the second two parts look at the negative side of the arguments.

From the Paper
"The world is facing both an energy crisis and a climate change problem. In order to deal with these problems a number of new energy sources have been suggested. This paper will look at the hydroelectric dams as a potential solution. Although hydroelectric dams are often suggested they are highly controversial. This means that some experts believe that they have positive environmental and human develop impacts. Others believe that hydroelectric dams are going to bring negative effects."

Tags:hydroelectric, dams, consequences

Abstract
This paper discusses how concrete gravity dams are effective in most part due to their extreme size and weight, which counters all external forces, and how, used for many things, dams such as these can generate enormous amounts of hydropower and create massive reservoirs when necessary. Although dams do pose a certain amount of risk on the environment and those living around them, the positive aspects of dams seem to outweigh this risk.This paper explores the design behind concrete gravity dams, including but not limited to hydropower uses, effective external and internal forces, dam site selection, and many other related topics.

From the Paper
"Throughout the history of dams, many failures have been attributed to weaknesses in the concrete used in the construction of the dam. Because the concrete is the main component in most large dams, it is important that it meets certain standards. Concrete is susceptible to deterioration, especially if it is constantly freezing and thawing (Jansen 109). It is important, when designing a concrete gravity dam, to recognize that the concrete will become saturated over time. When the Saint Francis Dam collapsed in 1928 less than two years after it had been built, it was found that the engineers had not implemented into the design the idea that the concrete would become saturated and therefore become less effective. For this reason, among others, the resultant vector of the forces acting on the dam was misplaced (outside of the middle third of the foot) and the dam eventually collapsed (Jansen 181). In later investigations, the concrete was also found to have a void ratio of 14%, which would increase the degree of saturation (Jansen 179). "

Tags:hydropower, reservoir, penstock, trashrack, silt, dredge, dredging

Abstract
In the United States, hydroelectric dams once provided as much as one-half of all electrical power needs. This paper discusses how since they require so much land, there is also a natural limit to how many new dams can be built and debates their true efficiency as opposed to use of other forms of renewable energy such as fossil fuels.

Outline:
Background and History
Hydroelectric Dams for Power Production and Flooding Prevention in the United States
Evaluating the Contemporary Efficiency and Economics of Hydroelectric Dams

From the Paper
"Before electricity was harnessed for use as a convenient power source, many early post-Industrial Revolution factories and textile mills relied on water, either for mills driven by the natural power of gravity, or steam engines. Modern hydroelectric dams are complex structures capable of controlling immense volumes of water to reduce the likelihood of natural floods, to provide electric power, irrigate land, and allow open reservoirs and aqueducts to store and deliver water supplies to remote areas far from natural fresh water sources."

Tags:electricity, water, flood

Abstract
The paper is a case study/case report on a particular environmental problem or issue in a given country. The paper specifically discusses China. It analyzes the environmental problem and issues surrounding the hydroelectric dam projects and how they harm the environment.

From the Paper
"Hydroelectric Dams in Yunnan Province Introduction: China is currently going through a period of rapid economic growth and industrialization. In China's Global Hunt for Energy [1]David Zweig and Bi Jianhai note, A booming domestic economy, rapid urbanization, increased export processing, and the Chinese people's voracious appetite for cars are increasing the country's demand for oil and natural gas, industrial and construction materials, foreign capital and technology. Twenty years ago, China was East Asia's largest oil exporter. Now it is the world's second-largest importer; last year, it alone accounted for 31 percent of global growth in oil demand."

Tags:hydroelectric, dams, china

Abstract
The writer of this paper shows how, according to most scientists, dam removal would be the best option for recovery of native salmon and steal head in the Snake River system. The paper examines the human costs and shows how many people rely on the river in its current state for their livelihood. The paper discusses the issues of the cost and benefits of dam removal that lawmakers must weigh before deciding this complicated issue.

From the Paper
"As it is with any issue of importance all sides and perspectives must be explored before any kind of decision can be made. So, the question at hand is should the four dams (Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite) on the lower Snake River be removed, to aid in the recovery of endangered Idaho salmon and steelhead stocks. At the beginning of this century salmon and steelhead runs in the Columbia and Snake River basins were unequaled. I read accounts, from the 1920's and 30's, of fishermen hauling in half mile long seine nets with draft horses, containing 30,000 tons of salmon at a time, and catching up 94,000 tons of fish a day in the mouth of the Columbia River. Not only where the fish more plenty full they where larger. I saw a picture of an 82-pound Chinook caught in 1921 in Astoria. These massive salmon where known as June hogs and their spawning grounds where found all the way up in British Columbia. These massive specimens ceased to exist after the construction of the Grand Coulee dam in 1941, which closed off over a thousand miles of prime spawning grounds to the north. The loss of these mighty specimens signaled the fate of the rest of the species in the coming decades. The Grand Coulee was just the first in a series of dams, which have destroyed critical habitat and impeded the upward and downstream migration of the once plentiful fish. When Lewis and Clark visited this region in 1802 approximately 16 million salmon and steelhead returned each year to complete their life cycle; today approximately 300,000 fish will return, a small fraction of the once mighty run. Dams are not the only factor leading to the extinction of salmon and steelhead, there are other important factors such as: pollution, stream bank deprivation caused by logging and grazing, non-favorable oceanic conditions, over fishing, and predation. But, for the purpose of this paper I will be discussing the environmental as well as the social effects of removing the dams on the lower Snake. "

Tags:breaching, columbia, dam, environmental, policy, recovery, river, salmon, steelhead, fish

Abstract
Throughout the 20th century, dam building to improve irrigation and produce hydroelectricity was considered a key component of development. It was undertaken universally from the United States to China and from the Arctic to the Equator. Despite decades of construction, the debate over the environmental impact and net cost-benefit of dams persists. The following discussion will focus on the Narmada Project in India. It is one of the largest hydro developments in the world. The current official plan calls for 30 major dams and 3,135 others on India's fifth largest and only westward flowing river system.

Abstract
In this essay, the writer relates that there are few dams in the world that have received the amount of attention that Hoover Dam has received since its construction years ago. The writer points out that, with an annual tourist draw of more than 1 million people, Hoover Dam is counted as one of the most visited tourist attractions in America. Standing at 762 feet the dam towers above the dry arid floor around it and generates power for more than 1 million customers in Arizona, California and Nevada. This paper presents an extensive overview of Hoover Dam. The writer explores the construction, the benefits to society the dam provides and the future plans for the dam. The writer concludes that Hoover Dam continues to be respected as one of the great architectural designs in America's history.

Outline:
Introduction
Differences
History
Touring Options
The Building of the Dam
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There are two dam tours available, one that lasts 30 minutes and another that lasts for an hour. The half hour tour provides information for a tour of up to 80 people and takes the participants into four different engineering areas. The second tour however, has room for 16 people because it asks them to don hard hats and go deeper into the dam to visit 10 additional sites of interest."
"The longer tour starts with an elevator ride that travels down more than 52 stories in length directly into the canyon wall. Once the elevator stops tourists walkthrough a long tunnel to the power plant where tour members are urged to put earplugs in before entering."

Tags:construction, lake, power, traffic

Abstract
This paper explains that the Three Gorges Dam Project is located at Sandouping, along the Yangtze River in the Three Gorges, which is one of the world's most famous scenic sites and includes the dam, which is composed of the spillway, intake dam and non-overflow dams, two power plants and the navigation facilities, which includes a ship lock and a ship lift. The author points out that there are many issues involved including the sensitivity of the huge numbers involved in the reservoir displacement and the impact of such a large population movement on the economy and society. The paper relates that, despite the monetary risks concerned in investing in the dam, the structure is an economic "showpiece" that invites outsiders to establish speedily vital business networks, which paves the way for future dealings such as with The Caterpillar Company.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Local Land Owners Bottoms Up Approach
The Quality of Resettlement Land
The Particular Problem of Steep, Infertile Slopes
Outward Look
Government Policies: Upward Look
Historical Perspective: A Backwards Look
Expected Returns and Drawbacks

From the Paper
"Additionally, the dam's supporters expect the 26 giant generators to account for close to a tenth of China's energy output. The hydropower is stance as a more efficient and cleaner source of energy than the sulfur-laden coal that is at present used in the area. Some engineers estimate that the dam will annually generate an amount of energy equivalent to the burning of forty million tons of coal. Thus, if successful, the dam's energy output will be environmentally beneficial over the current release of destructive sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide gas emissions. This cleaner supply of energy will be accessible within a 1,000 kilometer radius of the dam, as far as Shanghai and Guangzhou."

Tags:energy, population-movement, yangtze, reservoir, holder-rights

Abstract
Where hydropower plant constructions are a necessity for improved standards of living, they also pose a threat to humans and plant and animal life in various ways. This paper discusses various social and environmental impacts of hydropower plant construction.

Abstract
The paper discusses how Almonte Upper Dam, located at Almonte, Ontario had an existing structure and dam already in place. The paper relates that historically, Almonte was the leading industrial town along the river with almost two dozen firms comprised of textile manufacturing, and as the town flourished, the river excelled and the Dam was reconstructed.

Tags:almonte, dam, ontario