ShannonWalker'sWiki

Shannon Walker’s Wiki For Dam Removal: Eutrophication is caused by the increase amount nutrients, such as phosphorus. This leads to more algal blooms, decreasing the amount of oxygen in the water. When oxygen is depleted from a lake, fish die in massive amounts. Reservoirs from dams have increased amounts of phosphorus and have seen fish kills (Litcher et al, 2006). These man-made lakes may bring a recreational value at first, but over time these lakes will be destroyed by eutrophication. Value of the lake will decrease because of the algal blooms and the unpleasant odors that come with them, property values decrease as well. Removing the dam with help regulate the levels of phosphorus, and keep oxygen levels regulated throughout the stream.  No one wants to live, swim, or fish in a lake like this. www.saawinternational.org

Against Dam Removal: There is concern about when the dam is removed, what happens with the sediment? Studies have shown that the sediment in the reservoirs hold large amounts of carbon. When the reservoir water is released, the sediment can release the carbon as CO2 and increase the amount of green house gases. Dams that are used for hydroelectric power offer carbon free admissions, instead of using coal (Pacca, 2007). These reservoirs act as carbon sinks and those used for hydroelectric power represent 10% of the nation electricity needs, with no emissions. These reservoirs also store water that can be used to irrigate crops. This is especially important in areas that do not have a consistent rain fall. With the lost of the reservoirs, farmers risk losing their crops and land (Baish et al, 2002). Keeping a dam has its benefits, to provide emission free energy and provide water to farmers who feed us.  Carson River Dam reservoir used for irrigation in Nevada []  Sources: Baish, S. K., David, S. D., & Graf, W. L. (2002). The complex decisionmaking process for removing dams. //Environment//. //44//(4), 20-31. John Lichter, Heather Caron, Timothy S Pasakarnis, Sarah L Rodgers, & et al. (2006). The Ecological Collapse and Partial Recovery of a Freshwater Tidal Ecosystem. Northeastern Naturalist, 13 (2), 153-178 Pacca, S.. (2007). Impacts from decommissioning of hydroelectric dams: a life cycle perspective. Climatic Change, 84 (3-4), 281-294 