Alex Bajao – Undergraduate – Sociology
Debates over the Removal of O’Shaughnessy Dam
O’Shaughnessy Dam was constructed in 1923 to create the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir as a water supply for San Francisco. The O'Shaughnessy Dam was originally built as a project to provide water supply and power generation for the city of San Francisco. As Hetch Hetchy Valley is sister to the great Yosemite Valley, many see the O’Shaunessy Dam as the “Great American Mistake” and there has been a long-lasting debate about the reservoir. Many have environmental concerns about O’Shaughnessy Dam believing it destroyed the surrounding environment. This makes it a popular candidate for a dam removal. Although the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir provides San Francisco with the main component of its water supply, some people today want the Dam removed to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley, while others want to continue to use the reservoir for its water supply. Since the idea to remove the O’Shaughnessy Dam has gained traction over the years, other options for acquiring urban water supplies have been suggested and analyses of the benefits and costs associated with removal of the dam have been done. In this poster, I examine initiatives in the 21st century to remove the O’Shaughnessy Dam along with the other water supply options that San Francisco has. In addition, this project looks at how San Francisco has responded to proposals to remove the O’Shaughnessy Dam.
Holland Conner – Undergraduate – Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Disputes Over the the Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros Dam
International freshwater disputes, specifically regarding dams, often transpire because one nation’s development occurs at the cost of another’s. Dams gained popularity in the 1950s for their hydroelectric and irrigation opportunities. However, their harmful environmental and social effects were later revealed, causing political tension. A Hungarian–Czechoslovak treaty for a joint dam project was created in 1977. The treaty was based on a desire for economic development within the Danube basin, which would be achieved through navigation and power generation opportunities provided by the dam. Construction unexpectedly contributed to the degradation of the Danube river and its channels, therefore forming a decades-long dispute between two nations. Hungary did not easily adapt to political and ecological changes, leaving them unable to cope with the current and possible future environmental consequences. The Czechoslovakia split further added to this conflict, along with ethnic tensions between Slovaks and Hungarians. This presentation will assess the political and social, economic, and environmental issues that led to the conflict between Hungary and Slovakia over the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Dam in order to analyze possible solutions. The case examines a technological and industrial development, ushered by a communist regime, that caused water degradation and scarcity. This natural resource conflict gave rise to social movements and opportunities for political reform, yet the dispute remains unsettled, despite court interference. Although one nation will inevitably be disadvantaged, by weighing the benefits and costs of certain compromises, possible solution proposals will aim to minimize the losses one faces while protecting the interests of the majority.
Jeff Niemann – Undergraduate – Geography
Impacts of the Three Gorges Dam
The increased construction of large hydroelectric dams around the world have brought many benefits along with several negative impacts. The Three Gorges Dam has significantly impacted China in ways that no other project had ever done before its time. The hydroelectric power produced by the Three Gorges Dam has helped to reduce China's reliance on fossil fuels while continuing to satisfy its growing power needs. In addition, the Three Gorges Dam has played a role in controlling the mighty Yangtze River and protecting its lower basin from catastrophic floods and controlling seasonal flow. The impoundment of the river has created one of the largest man-made reservoirs on the planet. Upstream, several towns have been abandoned because of the filling of the reservoir, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Along with this, the new reservoir has submerged countless historic and archeological sites. The environmental drawbacks of the new reservoir include the increase in landslide risk, the blocking of sediment flow, and the decrease in water levels downstream. The presence of the dam has also interfered with the migration of countless species, which has driven them towards extinction. This paper and presentation will highlight the hydroelectric benefits and flood mitigation from the Three Gorges Dam as well as the environmental, ecological, and humanitarian consequences that have arisen due to its presence. All of these impacts are common among large hydroelectric dams around the world and show the benefits and drawbacks that a project like this can have.
Heath Pate – Undergraduate – Environmental Engineering
The Ecological Hazards Associated with Small Dam Removal in the Western US
Humans have dammed bodies of water for thousands of years, but in the 20th century over 80,000 dams were completed. While these dams were built for a variety of reasons, many of them have now reached the end of their life and no longer serve their initial purpose. Many have become economic or ecological burdens. As a result, dam removal has increased and over 1,200 dams, mostly small dams, have now been removed, most in the past 20 years. Public perception has shifted on dam removal as well, but removal has not been without controversy because of the increased frequency of droughts and heavy reliance on water storage infrastructure to address water needs in these increasingly regular events. As battles are waged over whether a dam should or should not be torn down, questions are raised about the effects of sediments stored for decades, especially about toxic contaminants stored within the sediments. Mobilizing such contaminants has the potential to influence fish and the aquatic ecosystem. This poster analyzes the initial negative effects of dam removal on the environment and its response in adjusting back to natural flow patterns and water quality. This poster will also look into the human response to increase sediment and contaminants in water sources, as well as efforts to mitigate these hazards.