Large Dam Projects Research Articles

Coalition Building between Native American and Environmental Organizations in Opposition to Development

Coalitions between Native American and environmental organizations in opposition to ecologically destructive projects have been an important recent development in environmental actions. This article explores one such coalition, which was organized in resistance to a large dam project, the New Los Padres Dam, planned for the Carnel River; California. Social movement theorists have, in the past, emphasized the importance of material resources for the success of social movements (the resource mobilization perspective) and more recently, have placed attention on symbolic resources (ideas and beliefs) as key factors in mobilizing support for a movement. In the coalition studied here, the significance of traditional Native American philosophy (the indigenist vision) as a symbolic resource both for Native American and non-native activists is investigated, and the respective contributions of Native American and environmental organizations to the struggle against the New Los Padres Dam are outlined, exploring both collaborations and differing strategies.

Power and energy [Technology 1998 analysis and forecast

Worldwide, as the power generation and electricity delivery industries are transformed by converging interests with gas and telecommunications, many emergent energy companies are seeking to present themselves as environmentally conscious. One stratagem is to offer a "green" energy package-that is, a deal permitting consumers to earmark a portion of their payments for renewable energy sources. But what some call a meaningful approach, others deride as just a sop to "politically correct" opinion. Near-term, the approach taken to limit greenhouse gases in the fastest-growing Third World countries will depend heavily on the fate of some very large dam projects, most in Asia and most hanging more or less in the balance. If those projects proceed on schedule, they may do much to lessen future reliance on hydrocarbon fuels. But large dams incur large environmental costs of other kinds, besides costing a lot, affecting many people adversely, and introducing special mega-risks. They are running into a global environmentalist backlash akin to the antinuclear wave of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Three Gorges project and the environmental implications associated with it are discussed as are other large dam projects. The green energy package, new transmission and distribution technology are also discussed.

Fount of plenty or bureaucratic boondoggle? India's Narmada project∗

The proposed Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) is the keystone of India's Narmada Valley Project, consisting of 30 large, 130 medium, and 3000 small dams. Backed by the Indian government and the World Bank (the tatter to the tune of $450 million in loans), the SSP has generated unprecedented opposition from farmers and others whose lands would be submerged by the project, as well as from many Indian environmentalists and environmental and human rights groups around the world. In 1990, under tremendous pressure, former World Bank President Barber Co noble called for the Bank to make an independent review of the project. The Team's Report of the Independent Review, which evaluated the resettlement and environmental impacts of the SSPt backed up the criticisms of the projecfs opponents. One of India's best known engineers, CNS Editorial Consultant KM. Datye, his associates, and other scientists working on sustainable development alternatives have produced a wealth of critical studies of large dam projects includi...

Managing freshwater inflow to the San Francisco Bay Estuary

The watershed of California's Central Valley drains into San Francisco Bay, the largest estuary on the Pacific Coast. The water resources of the Valley have been intensively exploited, particularly in the last 50 years, with the construction of large-scale irrigation systems. About half the 35 km3 average annual freshwater inflow to the estuary is now diverted, with up to 85 per cent in dry years. These diversions are now having significant adverse effects on the estuarine ecosystem including substantial declines in the economically significant anadromous fishery. At the time the large dam projects in the watershed were designed, no consideration was given to impacts on the estuary. Growing recognition of this error has led the California state agency that governs water allocation to consider applying operating conditions on the upstream reservoirs in order to provide sufficient freshwater inflows in the estuary to maintain the estuarine ecosystem. A set of freshwater flow and salinity standards has been proposed and is described in this paper. These flow requirements are based on extensive research on the role of freshwater inflow on estuarine hydrodynamics and on the estuarine ecosystem. These requirements have three overlapping goals:. 1Maximizing phytoplankton production - the base of the estuarine foodchain. 2Protecting spawning and migration of anadromous fishery. 1Protecting brackish wetlands. .

Control of an outbreak of rove beetle dermatitis in an isolated camp in a game reserve

An incapacitating outbreak of rove beetle dermatitis (Paederus sabaeus Er.: Staphylinidae) which occurred in an isolated game reserve camp was correctly diagnosed after comparing facilities in the camp with those in a nearby disease-free camp. The problem was quickly controlled by reducing the number of artificial lights, by changing the mercury tube lights to ordinary light bulbs and by conducting environmental sanitation measures, including fumigation of the compound with HCH (BHC, lindane). At the time of implementing the control measures, work on feasibility studies for a large dam project had come to a standstill.

Construction of the first line of the Nurek hydroelectric station dam

1. It is not expedient to make the downcut for the impervious part of dams in stage. Drilling of contour holes to a great depth and boring around the contour of underground chambers open up the possibility of preparing and conducting blasting for downcuts on the entire contour of the impervious part of a dam. This permits performing operations on the dam foundation and conducting preparatory works for blasting. In the case of complex conditions, to construct accesses to the earth pile along the flanks they can be made on the pile itself. 2. It is necessary to provide in projects one-wat traffic with the construction of horizontal and vertical intersections at all large dam projects, particularly under mountain conditions and where trucks haul the dam material. The width of the road shoul allow for the laying of supply lines-water, air, electrical transmission, communication, etc. The existing construction specifications and regulations do not promote an increase of the productivity of vehicles. 3. In the construction of high dams, where grouting of the foundation is necessary, the grouting galleries should be constructed and grouting should be done simultaneously with construction of the dam. This can be achieved by using underground grouting galleries. 4. In the region of the main structures it is necessary to construct special bypass traffic routes (tunnels or a road) to eliminate nontechnological traffic from the lower pool to the upper and to shield all supply lines reliably from blasts. 5. Effective compacting equipment is not available for the construction of high earth dams with impervious part of cohesive soils. This explains the shallow thickness of the layer being rolled and the low filling rates, particularly when there is a tendency toward overdrying or overwetting of the loams, depending on the local climatic conditions

Prestressed Concrete Anchorages for Large Tainter Gates

The radial or tainter gate is the most common type of spillway crest gate used on large dam projects. Because of the simplicity, light weight, and low hoist requirements of a tainter gate, economy has been the basic reason for the trend toward its increased usage. However, this type of gate offers additional advantages over other types, such as permitting a very favorable design from the standpoint of hydraulics, ease of service, and maintenance. During the past decade, the Corps of Engineers has designed tainter gates for approximately 70 projects including over 600 gates. Most of these gates have been constructed or are presently under construction. Prior to that time, it was somewhat unusual to design tainter gates in excess of 40 ft. in height. It is now not unusual to design 50-ft. wide tainter gates subjected to a hydraulic head of 60 ft. or more. For gates of this size, the direct thrust from hydraulic loading delivered to each spillway pier is approximately six million pounds. This load is transmitted from the trunnion yokes to