Articles tagged with Dam Construction
A new study reveals that two dam failures and flawed risk assessment amplified the Derna Flood, which was nearly twentyfold more destructive than expected. The research highlights the urgent need for improved flood mitigation strategies, especially in dryland regions.
A new study from Aalto University found that global population datasets may underestimate rural populations by as much as 53% to 84%, revealing a systematic and profound extent of the bias. The findings have far-reaching consequences, suggesting that the needs of people living in rural areas have been under-represented in decision-maki...
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that dam removal increased pebble mobilization in terms of number and distance. The researchers monitored 1,800 stones for seven years, revealing significant sediment transport increases along stretches under dam influence.
New research maps 35 years of river changes on a global scale, revealing 44% of downstream rivers saw decreases in water flow, while 17% of upstream rivers saw increases. This shift has significant implications for flooding, ecosystem disruption, and freshwater supplies.
Researchers have developed AI-enabled detection software that can accurately detect natural debris, litter, or waste blocking culverts. The system can be integrated to existing CCTV systems to provide proactive flood defense, improving safety for response teams.
Researchers believe a hydraulic lift system could have been used to raise and lower building stones, while water treatment facilities would have filtered sediment from the water. The discovery provides new insights into the construction of ancient Egyptian pyramids.
A new paper found that subsurface barriers will likely lead to more groundwater flooding and result in less protection against saltwater intrusion into groundwater. The researchers recommend using additional plans to deal with extra water, such as pumps or French drains, to mitigate the risks.
Researchers developed a novel method to visualize sedimentation in soft-ground drilling, enabling accurate predictions of settling times. The Moving Particle Semi-Implicit (MPS) method models the drilling slurry and sand particles, reproducing three-dimensionally the settling process with high accuracy.
A new study by Dr. Allan Hassaniyan argues Iran's water policy is discriminatory, leading to socioecological deterioration in peripheral regions and causing devastating effects on agriculture, health, and the environment.
Decarbonizing China's Southern Power Grid could lead to ecological and sociological trade-offs, including reducing cropland in favor of solar and wind power, impacting river basins like the Salween and Mekong. Building dams for hydropower production would also negatively affect ecosystems and fisheries.
A study of 500 households in Altamira found that 61% experienced food insecurity and malnutrition. The poorest group, with low educational attainment and unemployment, was most affected.
Scientists propose a transformative approach to resolve the Nile conflict by increasing electricity trade between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. This study reveals that energy-water system simulation can alleviate tensions and promote win-win situations for all parties involved.
Over the past 35 years, dams and land reclamation activities converted 250,000 acres of estuary — an area roughly 17 times the size of Manhattan — to urban land or agricultural fields. Most land conversion and estuary loss in rapidly developing countries.
Researchers from the University of Houston used spaceborne-monitoring to detect movements and deformations in the Kakhovka Dam years before its collapse. The study highlights the importance of proactive monitoring and remote sensing in ensuring infrastructure safety and integrity.
Researchers developed a luminescent material that reveals concrete deterioration when exposed to ultraviolet light. The material's color change indicates the amount of carbonate absorbed, allowing for real-time detection of degradation.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that tidal range schemes can protect estuaries and coastal areas from sea level rise by harnessing high tides and maintaining low tide levels. These barrages can provide jobs, reliable power, and reduced costs while conserving habitats.
A research team developed a multi-model projection system using the self-calibrating Effective Drought Index to predict drought and recommend cumulative precipitation for recovery. The required rainfall for drought recovery was estimated at 170 mm, 310 mm, and 440 mm for March, April, and May respectively.
The Klamath River dam removal project is expected to aid salmon populations by restoring habitat and reducing pathogens. However, researchers caution that disease outbreaks may still occur, and thoughtful restoration efforts are necessary.
Recent state-sponsored infrastructure projects in Angola and Mozambique have been linked to climate-related humanitarian disasters. Research by Ruy Blanes highlights the need for local consideration in planning, as neglect can lead to devastating consequences.
A study warns that Brazil's hydroelectric power plants are threatening the Williams' side-necked turtle, which depends on rapids for survival. The study estimates that 30% of its habitat could be lost, heightening the risk of extinction due to highly suitable areas becoming increasingly rare and less interconnected.
New research reveals that dams have flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land in the US, exacerbating land dispossession and cultural heritage destruction. The study calls for dam removal, tribal ownership, or funding for repairs to address this issue.
A study of 50 years of data found no evidence that conservation spending improved wild salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin. Despite efforts totaling over $9 billion, hatchery-reared fish numbers have increased while wild stocks remain under pressure.
Researchers analyzed over 650 dam removal projects and found median costs vary by height, with the Northwest accounting for the highest cost. The tool will help decision-makers manage large numbers of aging dams approaching obsolescence.
A new study reveals that Amazon river dolphins are under threat from fishing, proposed dams, and dredging, with their home ranges spanning over 50km. The dolphins were found to be on average 252km from the nearest proposed dam and 125km from the nearest dredging site.
A study by civil engineers at Wits University found that the Jagersfontein dam deviated from best engineering practice, with mine waste deposition on one side and significant erosion gullies. The study uses public satellite images to investigate the history of the dam and provides insights for preventing future failures
Researchers found that levee building and extracting subsurface resources are the main causes of land loss in the Mississippi River Delta, accounting for 40% each. The study suggests that reducing subsurface resource extraction may have slowed down land loss, offering a rosier outlook for restoration projects.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Edson Severnini found that large-scale hydroelectric dams constructed in the US before 1950 spurred short- and long-term growth, while those built after 1950 had modest effects on local economies. The decline is attributed to advancements in high-tension transmission lines.
The UN reports that roughly 50,000 large dams worldwide will lose an estimated 23% to 28% of their combined original storage capacity by 2050, resulting in a loss of around 1.65 trillion cubic meters of water. This loss will undermine water security, irrigation, power generation, and other essential services.
Stanford researchers found that dams could store over 50% of water needed for crop irrigation, but emphasize alternatives like small dams and recharged groundwater systems as more environmentally friendly options. The study aims to increase food security without depleting water stocks or harming nature.
A new study found that large river dams are significant barriers to platypus movements, leading to increased genetic differentiation and vulnerability to threats. This restriction of movement limits gene flow between groups, making separate populations more susceptible to inbreeding depression and loss of adaptive genetic variation.
A new report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory identifies supply chain must-haves for maintaining the pivotal role of hydropower in decarbonizing the nation's grid. The report also highlights advances in safer battery technologies and innovative electron microscopy techniques for imaging lithium in energy storage materials.
A new computational tool, 'Amazon EcoVistas,' analyzes proposed dam projects collectively for their energy generation and environmental impacts. The tool identifies hydroelectric dam portfolios that meet energy production goals with the least environmental harm, taking into account five environmental criteria and social values.
Scientists have developed a mathematical method to interpret data on underground water flows, providing more efficient and accurate imaging for planning construction works and inspecting dams. The technique has great potential for locating water reservoirs in dry areas and tapping into this resource for agricultural and industrial needs.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals a drastic fall in the number of aquatic insects in the Paraná River basin due to dam construction. The research, conducted over 20 years, found that dams alter the nutrient balance and provide a clearer water environment, making insects more vulnerable to predation.
Researchers used numerical simulations to study sediment motion and flow conditions, identifying three stages of dune formation and clarifying the mechanism. The findings can help predict riverbed morphology evolution and prevent hazards like riverbank failure.
A long-term study of eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in Illinois reveals they have retained a surprising amount of genetic diversity. However, the snakes' populations are likely to become locally extinct without significant intervention due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Researchers discovered a large bone belonging to the extinct marine mammal Paleoparadoxia, which lived in Japan and the western coast of North America 23-10 million years ago. The well-preserved fossil provides valuable insights into the locomotion of hind limbs.
A new study warns that Mekong River dams could cause irreversible ecological damage and force the resettlement of millions of people. The dams would affect the seasonal pulse of the river, change fish diversity and abundance, and impact downstream water flows.
A new analysis identifies areas around the world most at-risk for hydro-political strife due to planned dams on rivers flowing through multiple nations. The Nile River in Africa is one of the more contentious areas, with Ethiopia's dam construction diverting water from countries downstream.
The Nile Delta, a vital breadbasket for Egypt, is at risk of serious water scarcity due to human activities and the upcoming completion of Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The delta's soil-rich areas are being eroded by Mediterranean coastal currents and experiencing compaction, leading to subsidence and sea-level rise.
Researchers developed a technology to track water movement in concrete using small electrical currents, allowing for accurate monitoring of water flow and potential issues. This method is faster, safer, and less expensive than existing technologies.
Researchers suggest adjusting dam operations to mitigate negative impacts on river ecosystems, such as hydropeaking. Small changes can have significant effects downstream, benefiting fish and other organisms. Strategic planning for new dam construction is also crucial to minimize environmental degradation.
A new study highlights the true costs of hydroelectric dams in tropical regions, including significant impacts on biodiversity and fisheries. Researchers warn that dam site selection is crucial for conserving biodiversity, but many countries lack protocols to ensure careful planning.
Researchers warn that dam projects on Amazon, Congo, and Mekong rivers put many unique fish species at risk due to habitat disruption and human displacement. An improved approach to dam evaluation and siting is needed to balance costs and benefits of hydropower.
Researchers developed a model to assess how dams affect sea-run fish populations, finding that abundance and distribution increased when mainstem dams were removed or passage efficiency improved. The model can predict ecological responses of fish populations and evaluate management actions for fish migrating between fresh and saltwater.
Researchers created a new method to estimate global dam impacts on river flow and fragmentation using precise world map data. The study found that 48% of the world's river volume is moderately or severely affected by dams, with this number doubling if all planned dams are completed.
A new database has been developed to support sustainable modes of electricity production as hydropower dams are expected to double global electricity capacity by 2030. This boom may reduce the number of free-flowing rivers by 20% and threaten freshwater biodiversity, highlighting the need for a systematic management approach.
The construction of the Upamayo Dam in Peru's central Andes led to the discharge of Río San Juan waters into Lake Junín, causing widespread contamination with heavy metals. Climate change and mining activities have exacerbated this environmental disaster, highlighting the need for sustainable hydroelectric practices.
The Indus river dolphin's historical range has been fragmented into 17 river sections due to diversion dams, with dolphins disappearing from ten sections. Low dry-season river discharge caused by irrigation is the primary factor contributing to the decline.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers documents the historic sediment record along the Danube River delta and offers simple and inexpensive strategies to maintain delta environments. The team analyzed sediment cores and found that mimicking natural distributaries can help keep sediment on flood plains, rather ...
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers suggests that small hydropower projects supported by the Kyoto Protocol can have significant losses of habitat and biodiversity. The cumulative damage caused by small dams is worse than their larger counterparts in certain environmental impacts.
A study of small dams in China found that they can pose a greater threat to ecosystems and natural landscapes than large dams. The research team surveyed habitat loss and damage at several dam sites, revealing that the environmental harm from small dams was often greater, sometimes by several orders of magnitude.
Utah biologist Çagan Şekercioğlu has won the prestigious Whitley Gold Award for conservation twice, including this year, for his work safeguarding bird-rich wetlands in northeast Turkey. He was awarded by Princess Anne at a ceremony in London.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered a massive ancient dam built by the Maya, stretching over 260 feet and holding 20 million gallons of water. The dam, constructed from cut stone and earth, was part of a sophisticated water management system that allowed the city to thrive despite periodic droughts.
The study found that 60% of planned dams would disrupt the free-flowing nature of many Andean-Amazon rivers, threatening the region's biodiversity. Nearly half of the proposed dams were classified as high impact, highlighting the urgent need for strategic planning and evaluation of new dams.
Researchers found that replacing coal-fired electricity plants with lower-emitting technologies like solar, wind, or nuclear power requires a rapid transition and conservation efforts to achieve substantial benefits by the end of the century. However, it takes much longer for the climate system to respond to emissions reductions.
A new, global database of large dams and reservoirs has been created to inform sustainable river-flow management. The Global Reservoir and Dam database (GRanD) contains information on 6,862 dams and their associated reservoirs, providing a holistic view of entire river basins.
New data provides conclusive evidence that a link between the exploration well and the Lusi mud volcano was the trigger for the 2006 eruption. The scientists found five critical drilling errors that led to the disaster, including pulling the drill string out of an unstable hole without verifying a stable mud column.
A new monkey species, Mura's saddleback tamarin, has been discovered in the Amazon region of Brazil. The monkey is related to saddleback tamarins and faces threats from planned dams and highway construction.
Researchers at Duke University warn that dams in California's Central Valley are harming spring-run Chinook salmon populations by blocking access to habitat and fragmenting these populations. The study suggests removing dams could help alleviate water shortages and aid fish species.