Dams refer to huge walls or barriers built specifically to regulate the flow of water or underground streams. Dams are often handy in controlling floods as well as providing water for numerous beneficial activities like agriculture, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation etc. Water contained in dams results in the creation of lakes or reservoirs.

Dams are advantageous in different aspects. Dams ensure the benefits of improved health and life by supplying clean water, improved quality of sanitation, increased food (crop & fish) production, irrigation supply, protection of lives and goods from flood jeopardy, generation of electricity, tailings of mines and controlling the debris as well as the recreation and environmental benefits of the reservoirs. Since the advent of civilization, man has been constructing dams and reservoirs for storing surplus river waters available during wet periods and for utilization of the same during lean periods.

The dams and reservoirs world over have been playing dual role of harnessing the river waters for accelerating socio-economic growth and mitigating the miseries of a large population of the world suffering from the vagaries of floods and droughts. Dams and reservoirs contribute significantly in fulfilling the following basic human needs: The first dams that humans created were considered gravity dams. They were made of masonry or concrete that could resist the water load because of their weight. The ancient Egyptians are thought to have built the first one, and it was called Sadd el-Kafara. That name translates to “Dam of the Pagans” in Arabic. Archaeologists believe that the structure was 37 feet tall and almost 350 feet wide at its crest. Over 100,000 tons of stone and gravel were used to build the structure, but it failed after a few years because of overflows.

Several advantages and disadvantages of dams are worth reviewing when we look at the immediate and long-term impacts of this technology. There are some tremendous advantages that come with dams in Pakistan and elsewhere. Moreover, this makes it clear that why governments invest so much money into their constructions. Some of the benefits of building a dam are:

• For evapotranspiration crops and plants need irrigation. The huge amount of water reserved in dams is used for irrigation. Sustained supply of water for irrigation, encourages peoples to use additional areas for cropping. This enhances the increment of the food supply. • In addition to helping farmers, dams help prevent the loss of life and property caused by flooding. Flood control dams impound floodwaters and then either release them under control to the river below the dam or store or divert the water for other uses. For centuries, people have built dams to help control devastating floods. • A portion of storage is withdrawn from reservoirs and supplied for drinking, municipal and industrial purposes. After proper treatment supplied water can be used for drinking. The water supply through dams enables people to drink pure water. This will prevent people from getting affected by water-borne diseases like cholera.

• Once constructed, electricity is generated from dams at a constant rate. The budget item of an electricity dam is least as there is no pricey fuel needed. Electricity dams additionally tend to last longer than thermal power plants. Hydropower generation is non-consumptive nature. Also, the resource is renewable and can be used again and again in the downstream for power generation. Thus, the use of stored or diverted waters for hydropower generation is considered most eco-friendly Example: In the United States, over 103,800 megawatts of electricity are produced from dams. Dams can also be formed in the sea where the tidal range is high and thus generate tidal power.

• Waterways and streams give an incredible open door to transportation. Barges and ships can explore along a waterway conveying enormous heaps of food and product. This style of transportation is viable in the light of the fact that the heaps conveyed can be very huge. In some situations, dams can even provide enhanced environmental protection. This technology has the capability of delivering hazardous materials retention or reducing the influence of sedimentation on vulnerable rivers.

• Provides regular water supply for domestic as well as industrial consumption.

• Dams provide a wonderful opportunity for recreation. In building a dam water is stored behind it. This water is called a reservoir. Reservoirs are used to store water, especially during times of excess. They provide activities like fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and hiking.

• Tailing dams are quite different from water dams. These dams are used to store the waste product from mining operations. Wastes from mining are called tailings. Tailings are very toxic. Dams can be used to store tailings to ensure the protection of the environment from being polluted.

• Reduce the emission of greenhouse gas e.g. carbon dioxide (CO2). Tailing dams help to protect the environment from getting contaminated by toxic mining wastes.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 06 2022

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