Physical Factors Strips
Solid foundations are required for the excessive loads from the concrete
dams and stored water. This means weaker sedimentary rocks are avoided in
case of structural failure and harder granites preferred.
Because of the pressure of water being held by the dams they have to be
built on Geologically stable land free from earthquakes.
A narrow cross section is preferred as this reduces dam length and so
building costs are reduced, particularly if the dam is in a remoter place.
The high evapo-transpiration rates and land surface temperatures mean that
water lost to the atmosphere is high, so deeper valleys are favoured as there
is a reduced surface area.
A large and deep valley behind the dam will mean that a greater volume of
water will be stored for use.
Certain areas along the Colorado have higher and less varied amounts of
rainfall and so these more reliable areas are targeted for building dams.
The rock in contact with the water has to be impermeable and non porous, so
that water can’t escape from the reservoir through infiltration. In some
locations concrete has been used to line the valley sides to stop any leakage.
A large catchment area is needed with many tributaries to ensure as much
water flow as possible.
Sufficient flow of water is required meaning dams have to be in areas along
the Colorado where rainfall is higher and more reliable.
Areas of environmental importance are to be avoided if possible, in order to
reduce legal costs from court battles with environmentalists.
Human Factors Strips
Farmland areas are to be avoided or as little as possible affected buy flooding
of the land behind dams.
Similarly areas with large populations/settlement are to be avoided as
compensation would be astronomical, due to purchasing houses and relocating
costs of inhabitants.
Transmission lines and roads also present additional costs if they’re in the
way, and the congestion from the extra traffic on the roads would also be
unpopular.
Some dams have created large reservoirs, which have flooded traditional
Indian sacred burial sites and archaeological. These are politically very
sensitive areas so best to be avoided.
Building a reservoir too far from its intended source e.g. farmers or urban
areas can see the loss of unacceptable levels of water making the project
uneconomic.
Remoter areas are often too expensive for dam construction as bringing in
materials raises transport costs, particularly if roads have to be built or
improved. The building of temporary work settlements and paying workers to
work in such harsh (hot) conditions can also increase costs.
A final cost can be court cases associated with objectors whether
environmentalists, Indians or displaced locals.
Physical Factors For Dams
Solid foundations are required for the excessive loads
from the concrete dams and stored water. This
means weaker sedimentary rocks are avoided in
case of structural failure and harder granites preferred.
Because of the pressure of water being held by
the dams they have to be built on Geologically
stable land free from earthquakes.
A narrow cross section is preferred as this reduces
dam length and so building costs are reduced,
particularly if the dam is in a remoter place.
The high evapo-transpiration rates and land surface temperatures
mean that water lost to the atmosphere is
high, so again, deeper valleys are favoured as there
is a reduced surface area.
A large and deep valley behind the dam will mean that
a greater volume of water will be stored for use.
Certain areas along the Colorado have higher and less
varied amounts of rainfall and so these more reliable
areas are targeted for building dams.
The rock in contact with the water has to be impermeable
and non porous, so that water can’t escape from the reservoir
through infiltration. In some locations concrete has been
used to line the valley sides to stop any leakage.
A large catchment area is needed with many tributaries
to ensure as much water flow as possible.
Sufficient flow of water is required meaning dams
have to be in areas along the Colorado where rainfall
is higher and more reliable.
Areas of environmental importance are to be
avoided if possible, in order to reduce legal costs
from court battles with environmentalists.
Human Factors For Dams
Farmland areas are to be avoided or as little as possible
affected buy flooding of the land behind dams.
Similarly areas with large populations/settlement are to be
avoided as compensation would be astronomical, due to
purchasing houses and relocating costs of inhabitants.
Transmission lines and roads also present additional costs
if they’re in the way, and the congestion from the extra
traffic on the roads would also be unpopular.
Some dams have created large reservoirs, which
have flooded traditional Indian sacred burial sites
and archaeological. These are politically very
sensitive areas so best to be avoided.
Building a reservoir too far from its intended source e.g.
farmers or urban areas can see the loss of unacceptable
levels of water making the project uneconomic.
Remoter areas are often too expensive for dam construction
as bringing in materials raises transport costs, particularly
if roads have to be built or improved. The building of
temporary work settlements and paying workers to work
in such harsh (hot) conditions can also increase costs.
A final cost can be court cases associated with objectors
whether environmentalists, Indians or displaced locals.
Physical Factors For Dams
Solid foundations are required for the excessive loads
from the concrete dams and stored water. This
means weaker sedimentary rocks are avoided in
case of structural failure and harder granites preferred.
Because of the pressure of water being held by
the dams they have to be built on Geologically
stable land free from earthquakes.
A narrow cross section is preferred as this reduces
dam length and so building costs are reduced,
particularly if the dam is in a remoter place.
The high evapo-transpiration rates and land surface
temperatures mean that water lost to the atmosphere is
high, so again, deeper valleys are favoured as there
is a reduced surface area.
A large and deep valley behind the dam will mean that
a greater volume of water will be stored for use.
Certain areas along the Colorado have higher and less
varied amounts of rainfall and so these more reliable
areas are targeted for building dams.
The rock in contact with the water has to be impermeable
and non porous, so that water can’t escape from the reservoir
through infiltration. In some locations concrete has been
used to line the valley sides to stop any leakage.
A large catchment area is needed with many tributaries
to ensure as much water flow as possible.
Sufficient flow of water is required meaning dams
have to be in areas along the Colorado where rainfall
is higher and more reliable.
Areas of environmental importance are to be
avoided if possible, in order to reduce legal costs
from court battles with environmentalists.
Human Factors For Dams
Farmland areas are to be avoided or as little as possible
affected buy flooding of the land behind dams.
Similarly areas with large populations/settlement are to be
avoided as compensation would be astronomical, due to
purchasing houses and relocating costs of inhabitants.
Transmission lines and roads also present additional costs
if they’re in the way, and the congestion from the extra
traffic on the roads would also be unpopular.
Some dams have created large reservoirs, which
have flooded traditional Indian sacred burial sites
and archaeological. These are politically very
sensitive areas so best to be avoided.
Building a reservoir too far from its intended source e.g.
farmers or urban areas can see the loss of unacceptable
levels of water making the project uneconomic.
Remoter areas are often too expensive for dam construction
as bringing in materials raises transport costs, particularly
if roads have to be built or improved. The building of
temporary work settlements and paying workers to work
in such harsh (hot) conditions can also increase costs.
A final cost can be court cases associated with objectors
whether environmentalists, Indians or displaced locals.
Physical Factors For Dams
Human Factors For Dams