ACTIVITY B -- DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
GENERAL:
1. Why are dams constructed?
2. How do dams operate?
3. Where are the world’s largest dams?
4. Why would a country consider building a large dam or mega-dam?
5. Are there advantages to having one big dam rather than a series of smaller
dams? If so, what are they?
6. Do all dams prevent floods?
7. Can a dam be built in any location with a river? What geological conditions are
necessary?
THREE GORGES:
1. What have been the effects (upstream and downstream) of the construction of
the Three Gorges Dam on the a) hydrology of the river? b) water quality and
ecology of the river?
2. What are and will be the effects (upstream and downstream) of Three Gorges
Dam operation on the a) hydrology of the river? b) water quality and ecology of
the river?
3. What are the socio-economic impacts of the Three Gorges Dam? Who are the
stakeholders who benefit and who are the stakeholders who lose? Is this typical
of developing countries?
4. How does the Three Gorges Dam project reflect the debate on mega dams?
5. Overall, has the Three Gorges Dam achieved its goals and benefited a) the
region, and b) China overall?