Dams-The lifeblood of modern civilization

10 September 2014
Posted by Epicdev™

All life requires water-as we know

Human civilization is centred completely around water. Modern life would never have developed the way it had if we did not have water storage plants and dams. The alternative would have meant that people have to live around rivers and natural bodies of water, which is not great because tere is a huge risk of flash floods during rainy seasons, and then the other extreme during dry seasons, which is drought. Masses of stored water enable commercial farming, city development, water borne sewerage removal, and most importantly, clean drinking water.

Having stored water means that these supplies are able to reach industrial and residential facilities, enabling greater amounts of staff at factories, and giving people the freedom to build their homes where it suits them and having clean running water readily available to them. Dams play an important role in the health of river water too, because regularly flowing water from reservoirs into rivers can dilute harmful substances in the river. Water can also chanelled in the same way to support wildlife and eco-systems down river during droughts.

Reservoirs and dams allow for water access all year round. These systems capture water during times of surplus, where it stays until times of drought when it can then be used. This is especially true in agricultural circumstances where a level of flexibility is required for routing water to certain areas and crops, as well as meeting the requirements for storing masses of water at one time. The importance of this is blatant when you consider that by 2025 80% of additional food production will be directly as a result of dams and water storage reserves.
As the world awareness of eco-friendly answers grows, we will start seeing a greater movement towards hydroelectric power. Hydroelectricity is produced wen water falls onto massive turbines which generate power and thereby electricity. Although these plants are not always in the same place, they are usually downstream to utilize the energy of the moving water.

Having a dam is essential for the purposes of flood control. Floods occur as a result of heavy rains for extended periods. The banks of rivers get breached or sometimes even washed away and the water spills onto surrounding areas with reckless abandon. This can result in severe crop damage or even loss of crops, damage to property, loss of animals and even human life. Dams assist in this regard because they capture water from rivers and their tributaries, allowing for more water to flow through the river without spillage. The water is then neatly and safely contained, where it is kept until dry and arid weather occurs and the need for more water arises. Another great challenge most people in the agriculture section face, is fertile soil. Soil fertility becomes compromised due to insufficient water. Irrigation is a means of directing water usually via canals to the desired area, boosting fertility and optimizing crop yield
Dams contribute greatly to the environment because with water comes life. This can happen in the form of fertile sediment that washes down the river and settles at the reservoirs which encourages the growth of flora and fauna. More foliage results in more inspect life and animal habitation as food supplies are increased. If you are considering expanding your own existing dam or creating a new one, consult professionals who use approved methods and products, and ensure their work comes with a warranty. A great compant to assist in this regards is Poly Roads, visit them here http://polyroads.com/ or click here

More posts to explore