Preview

Environmental Problems

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
333 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Environmental Problems
2. (A) Two environmental problems that are associated with water diversion are decrease sediment downstream of dam and decreased water volume in waterways down/upstream. The decrease in sediments downstream of dams causes nutrients not to transfer so without valuable nutrients plant and animal growth is decreasing. The decrease in water volume in waterways is interfering with the reproductive cycle of plants and animals downstream. For example, the Chinook salmon aren’t able to spawn since there were trapped from moving back upstream by dams which formed large pools behind the dams making water temperature to rise into a range that’s not favorable to salmon.
(B) An argument for diverting water for urban consumption is the extremely negative economic impact it will have on industries as well as the people. The failure of industries to function means production would stop contributing to recession as well as the loss of jobs for all the employees. The argument for diverting water for permitting the flow of water to natural areas would allow the recharge of groundwater supplies which is important in sustaining a supply of water for the human use and ecosystems. Conservation of water supplies is important for future generations so that they will have enough available water for consumption to urban areas and agricultural areas.
(C) Garrison Diversion Project was to divert water from the Missouri River to the Red River in North Dakota, along the way irrigating more than a million acres of prairie, attracting new residents and industries, and providing recreation opportunities. One environmental problem that has resulted, or might result, from this project is that the moving water from one watershed to another will transfer non-native and invasive species that could attack native organisms as well as devastate habitats. Another environmental that has resulted, or might result, from this project is that it could cause flooding behind the dams and reservoirs which is

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Klamath River Case Study

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Many years ago, efforts began to tear down four dams that were established along the Klamath River, the main issue being that the water diversions and dams had greatly disrupted Klamath’s salmon population, they needed to be destroyed in order to reestablish their upstream habit, and dismantling them would open up hundreds of miles of the Klamath River for coho salmon. This was a combined effort made through cooperation, negotiation, and compromise between very different people.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    5. Describe at least one example of the environmental costs of water diversion from rivers to farms or cities.…

    • 1219 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    2. Describe three benefits and three costs of damming rivers. What particular environmental, health, and social concerns has China’s Three Gorges Dam and its reservoir raised? Benefits include preventing floods, providing drinking water, and facilitating irrigation. Costs of dams include expenses, slowing of river flows, and erosion of tidal marshes. Many people were displaced from their homes, tidal marshes eroded, and many pollutants were trapped in the reservoir.…

    • 1120 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Grand Coulee Dam Analysis

    • 369 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The fish that live in the Elwha River are not able to swim upstream and get the food they need and they cannot reproduce so the salmon population just dominates. The Grand Coulee dam was another but its problem was not fish it was flooding and erosion. I would say this is a very controversial topic because the people might believe pro-environment or some might be pro-economy. My point of view on this topic is I do not understand why we say we want to save the environment but we pay millions of dollars to build dam but in which harm the environment by killing of fish. However, I do understand that dam do provide energy. I believe that if we want to have dam for energy we do not need multiple small dams throughout the country instead build a couple of huge one so you are not killing all the fish you are only killing some of them but you are also getting the energy you…

    • 369 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    After a lawsuit had been established concerning restoration of the river, farmer’s rights and privileges to utilize water had been prohibited. However, a decision had been enforced during restoration of the San Joaquin River. After restoration and alterations, scientists began observations of the restored river by noting the flow and streaming of water, the reactions wildlife would have on the newly created environment, and any changes which will be necessary to allow the river to flourish and thrive.…

    • 513 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The process includes provisions for habitat restoration, hatchery production, and predator control. Nevertheless, the plan still calls for no significant changes to the region's federal hydropower system and ignores the four dams on the lower Snake River that do the most harm to the basin's endangered salmon. Moreover, the new plan does not include any increases in the amount of water spilled over the dams to improve critical downstream migration. In fact, the water that could be used as spill over water in efforts to aid the salmon in their migration, is claimed by the federal government to create even more hydroelectric power. Ultimately, this use of excess, spill over water seems unrighteous towards salmon in the Pacific Northwest…

    • 1666 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Others could be said that it was just as detrimental as it was to help. It did provide jobs, electricity, and water, but the consequences that come with it werent as evident as they are now. The now corralled water has disrupted the natural state of flow and now has dropped in oxygen levels, that affect the livelihood within its depths. Also since the water is being regularly filtered, the water is no longer carrying sediment, so the water is actually more likely to erode the walls of the river faster and more likely. As well as the naturally carved paths that it once flowed will be no longer preserved by the water now that it is being manipulated by the precise distribution to the varying 7 states. With the water distribution organisms are being shifted to new habitats, that are endangering their survival because of the consistency of new life is being introduced to new habitats, that most aren't compatible with. It was considered to be a clean source, but is it? While local tourism and population and economic values are striving from the Hoover Dam, the actual waters are suffering and the site for the things we enjoy today.…

    • 1083 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Relate the damming of rivers to the shrinking of beaches at some locations along the west coast of the United States.…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Originally the idea was to incorporate the running river water into a pool. One that could be used to store water for use at a later date also serves a multitude of other functions. One of the most commonly talked about dams in the United States is the Hoover Dam. While it served its purpose when it was first constructed what are the impacts upon the environment now? How does pooling and pulling water during a severe drought affect the wild lands, wild life, and vegetation surrounding it.…

    • 1854 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    One example of an alternative would be to install fish ladders at all the dams so that salmon are able to migrate upstream and the population has…

    • 1558 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Africa Stuff

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages

    1. What is the impact of water pollution and the unequal distribution of water on irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking water?…

    • 345 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Colorado River

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Environmental and human impacts: In the 1920’s, Western states began portioning out the water by building dams and diverting the flow to Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix,…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In 1941, Los Angeles’ Department of Water and Power diverted tributary streams from Mono Lake in order to sustain the growing human population in the area. As water levels dropped dramatically and salinity increased, Mono Lake lost its’ ability to support its’ once diverse ecosystem. Professor of Engineering, Martha Conklin, spends much of her time researching environmental aspects of water. With regards to environmental conflicts, she questions, “Does conflict just involve humans, or does nature have a voice?” (47) Although LADWP’s decision negatively affected the environment, the environment lacked the opportunity to defend itself. Fortunately, a group of individuals associated with the Mono Lake Committee took it upon themselves to repeal past decisions, with the best interest of the environment in mind. The realization that there were complications with regards to initial stances on the issue is substantial, yet it is even more crucial that actions were taken to establish a more informed position. Restoration of Mono Lake and its’ ecosystem was contemplated for many years, but the State Water Board’s Decision 1631 officially secured a plan in 1994. The decision required a minimum flow for tributary streams and minimum water level for the lake. Though the consequences of previous implications remain prevalent, a revised decision allows for the…

    • 1440 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Water Resource Problems

    • 1214 Words
    • 5 Pages

    As mentioned at the end of the Core Case Study, “emerging shortages of water for drinking and irrigation in many parts of the world” (which this particular river supplies to seven different states – which I was unaware of) and water pollution problems. Also the related problems of biodiversity loss and projected climate change would be the three highest priorities that are to be faced. We need to keep in consideration that this river is in a hot zone. There is desert surrounding it on both sides. I live in Arizona, which I know that this water supplies our state as well. During summer we are in what is called a drought – we are asked to try to use less water (even though we have the access and resources are not cut off). Water pollution is also a major hit – if the water is continually polluted is use more resources to filter and cleanse this water. If people started to think of little things that they can do to help protect our resources and use those that we have wisely, it would all add up to a major save. This would lead to us having additional resources and the ability to ensure that they last longer.…

    • 1214 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    With reference to specific river basins examine the need for management in resolving issues resulting from their development (25)…

    • 1319 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays