of the Earth UK, - We as humanity have to switch to renewable green energy sources as soon as possible in order to slow down global warming and to mitigate all kinds of pollution issues. Thus, the construction of dams can be quite expensive and it might take a quite long time until the power that is generated with those dams can offset the tremendous construction costs. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues. The Ilisu dam, part of the Southeast Anatolian project (Gap) and one of Turkey's largest hydroelectric projects to date, has been mired in controversy ever since it was first drafted in 1954 . The following essay by Raquella Thaman is a summary ofher recently published monograph (under the same title), which appears in Brill Research Perspectives in International Water Law. Beginning and Reasons. However, water shortages were witnessed in the Mosul dam, where water in the reservoir had more than 3 billion cubic meters compared with its levels of more than 8 billion cubic meters in the same period of the previous year. The history and ecology of the Tigris-Euphrates Basin, and the issues surrounding Turkeys recent impoundment of water behind the Ilisu Dam on the Tigris, provide an example highlighting such challenges. Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 USA, +1-434-924-3900 Moving through the hydrologic cycle, each molecule may find its way from a transboundary watercourse on one continent to a municipal water supply on another, and then back again. However, I will not take any responsibility for incorrect information and will not be liable for any negative consequences that might occur due to the reliance on this information. Since water is crucial for all life on earth, the supply of sufficient amounts of water is crucial for a civilization to sustain itself. Hydroelectric power: Water stored in the dam is used to generate electricity. And why has the dam been controversial, ever since the idea of building it emerged? The water storage capacity is estimated at (11-40) billion . [23], As part of early and ongoing construction, 52km (32mi) of roads are subject to raising and repairing work. Since a group of European backers withdrew funding in July, the fate of the controversial Ilisu dam - and that of the surrounding, mostly Kurdish communities in southeastern Turkey - has been in limbo. Construction of the dam began in 2006 and was originally expected to be completed by 2016. Its impact will be mostly felt in the Southern part of the country, located at the downstream end of the Tigris River. Ilisu is Turkeys last major planned dam on the Tigris, and it has been controversial from the start. [32] On 1 June 2018, the reservoir was to begin impoundment but was delayed until November then 2019 following another detail due to water shortages in Iraq. Even though water flows can be controlled quite well due to the construction of dams, it doesnt mean that everyone will profit from these altering opportunities. High upfront capital costs. Back to Turkish River Page REGIONAL OFFICE - DYARBAKIR - Mardin Office", "Ilsu Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant", "Ilsu Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant be completed in 2014", "Turkey says to continue Ilisu dam project Erdogan said the construction of a dam and", "Andritz Hydro to equip Ilisu hydropower project in Turkey", "Turkey's Biggest Dam Project Victim of Faltering Peace", "workers threatened the PKK bloody executions", "Supply convoy for Ilsu Dam attacked: 3 injured", "lsu Baraj ve HES'in yzde 96's tamamland", "How archaeologists discovered an ancient Assyrian city and lost it again", "Ilsu Dam poised to start power generation in February", "Ilsu Baraj'nda enerji retimine balanyor", "Turkey halts filling Tigris dam after Iraq complains of water shortages", "Turkey dam sparks renewed water shortage panic in Iraq", "Ilisu Dam crisis proves the failure of Iraq's successive governments", "Turkey's Dam-Building Spree Continues, At Steep Ecological Cost", "Tigris-Euphrates River Ecosystem: A Status Report", "Iraq Wheat Farmers May Slash Plantings as Turks Fill New Dam", "Exclusive - Water shortages to cut Iraq's irrigated wheat area by half", "Wheat and barley shortage devastates Iraq", "Rare Footage of Ilsu: The Dam That Will Flood Homes and History Across Southern Turkey", Nature Association (Doga Dernegi) page on Ilisu/Hasankeyf, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ilsu_Dam&oldid=1134577597, This page was last edited on 19 January 2023, at 10:32. Even in our current age, the transportation of goods on waterways is still of importance in some regions of our planet. In June 2009, after failing to meet the standards, the European firms officially cut the funding for the Ilsu Dam Project. Reservoirs for leisure 4. One of the more perilous side effects of climate change is its threat to the water supply of hundreds of millions of people. Since through the construction of dams, the water flows can be changed to a certain extent, dams can also be a great tool to create waterways for transportation purposes. Thus, by using hydropower instead of fossil fuel power plants, we can vastly improve our overall air quality. 1. Attacks on the dam, supporting structures and workers are part of the PKK's efforts to stop construction. The Ilisu Dams total installed power stands at 1,200 megawatts, making it Turkeys fourth-largest dam in terms of energy production. 2. The Turkish government advertised the entire project as a way for Turkey to achieve greater energy independence. 2. Standing at 135 meters . It's flooding was predictable, provided farmers with resources, and was often the only source of irrigation. An upcoming program will focus on what this might mean for fish populations. to the Water storage crest level was 513m on 19 April 2020. Flood control 10. Unfortunately, they also worsen the impact of climate change. Dams store water, provide renewable energy and prevent floods. From the previous analysis, it has become clear that there are many upsides related to dams and that they can be quite important and useful in certain regions. This hinders the recovery of the Mesopotamian Marshes. Who stands to benefit from it? In many cases, the construction of large dams also implies significant deforestation. Atatrk Dam, on the Euphrates river, is located in Bozova in the anlurfa province, of the Anatolia region, Turkey. It can be used with other renewables 6. The Ilisu Dam is 440 feet high and a mile wide. All works are expected to be completed in 2015. [13], The Ilsu Dam will be a 135m (443ft) high and 1,820m (5,971ft) wide rock-fill embankment dam with a structural volume of 43,900,000m3 (35,590acreft). The modern residents of Hasankeyf will have to move to a state-built settlement on an arid hillside high above the river. 0000000616 00000 n According to the complainant, the construction will destroy key breeding, feeding and foraging grounds as well as stopover and roosting grounds of migratory species protected under Appendix II of the Bern Convention. gave a lot of jobs. [45][46], "Ilsu Dam Environmental Impact Assessment", "Court Case Could Slow Turkish Dam Project", "Hima Mesopotamia: Travels in Jordan 2013: Ilusu Dam", "Hima Mesopotamia: Travels in Jordan 2013: Chronology of the Ilusu Dam Project", "Sorrow and hope as dam starts submerging historic town of Hasankeyf", "Turkey starts filling huge Tigris river dam, activists say", "Water volume in Ilisu Dam 5 billion cubic metre", "Cumhurbakan Erdoan aln yapt: Ilsu Baraj'nda elektrik retimi balad", "Turkey starts generating power from controversial Ilisu dam", "Turkey's Ilsu Dam generates $51M for national economy in 3 months", "DSI X. For instance, transportation on waterways has been a quite important tool to carry around all kinds of goods a few decades ago. Generating 1,200 megawatts of electricity, its Turkeys fourth largest dam in terms of power generation. Master naturalists consider pros and cons of dam removal in Grand Rapids. Biggest Three Gorges Dam Pros and Cons The Three Gorges Dam List of Pros 1. The decline in water flow for the Tigris River can lower the water quality downstream, especially during a drought. Through the construction of dams, also the water flows are often slowed down, which in turn contributes to higher contamination with algae. This ongoing availability is a huge factor when weighing the hydroelectric dams pros and cons. Our technological progress is astounding and we are now even able to build dams that can clean up the water through different filters. [2][14][15][16], Beginning in 1954 the Turkish government surveyed 53 kilometres (33mi) of the Tigris river downstream of Diyarbakr with the aim of identifying suitable locations for a hydroelectric power plant at an elevation below 550 metres (1,800ft). Several days later a worker was killed in his home by suspected PKK militants. It's flexible 5. The planned Ilisu dam consists of a wall 1.8 km wide and 135 m high, and will create the third largest reservoir in Turkey covering an area of 313 km (IEG, 2005). [9], DSI has started testing 2 turbines for energy production after completing the spillway testing. It is one of the 22 dams of the Southeastern Anatolia Project and its purpose is hydroelectric power production, flood control and water storage. 0000001036 00000 n In Favor :- There are multiple benefits by big dams. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'environmental_conscience_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_17',197,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); Even though the chances for dam breaks are rather low in our current age, there had been dam breaks in the past and we should be aware of this con of dams in order to make profound decisions whether dams should be built in a specific area or not. The Kurdish Human Rights Project, Friends It is eco-friendly. Looking into places where dams have already been removed and comparing them to areas of possible dam removal is important when envisioning possibilities. By the Fall of 2019, the Turkish government will cover 115 square miles of an ancient Tigris River valley with water now filling the massive Ilisu Dam and Hydra hydroelectric project in Turkey's Kurdistan region. Darden School of Business After finishing university, I traveled around the world. However, also the maintenance and supervision related to dams can be significant. Apart from that, there are many other advantages and disadvantages of hydropower. Despite the governments assurance that the reservoir will become a center for water sports and tourists will flock to the archeological park, Hasankeyfs residents are deeply concerned about how to earn a living and keep their local economy afloat in the new Hasankeyf. Water clean up 3. Compared to other conventional energy sources like coal, oil or gas, which imply the emission of large amounts of harmful gases into our atmosphere, hydropower can also be considered to be relatively green. trailer [3][4] As part of the project, the much smaller Cizre Dam is to be constructed downstream for irrigation and power. Pros of hydroelectric power 1. The Turkish government began planning the dam in the 1950s as part of a larger regional development plan, the Southeastern Anatolia Project, which involved constructing 19 hydroelectric plants and 22 dams on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Why did Turkey build the Ilisu Dam? The construction of dams can also lead to the creation of many jobs. Aswan Dam Pros and Cons. This picture taken on February 23 shows an aerial view of the Ilisu dam which will flood 199 villages and the ancient town of Hasankeyf, in Turkey's. In turn, many people will likely die from those dam breaks. Design by Sidebar Designs | Modified by Gabriel Eckstein, Transboundary Water Management Organizations, The principle of prior notification An instrument of implementing international water law and ensuring cooperative water diplomacy, New Book on International Law and Transboundary Aquifers by Francesco Sindico, Brill Research Perspectives in International Water Law, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Brill Research Perspectives International Water Law. Therefore, dams can also be quite beneficial in order to assure the supply of goods for the local population. The Three Gorges Dam was built in China and it has had a lot of economic disadvantages. Due to rainfall, the dam has achieved water levels up to 100m above the river bed and stored 5 billion cubic meters of water. The main use of hydropower is in hydroelectric generators. Here are the pros and cons of hydropower: List of Pros of Hydropower. For instance, if you live nearby one of those reservoirs, you can go fishing or swimming with your family. The balance of pros and cons need to be weighed. It helps with flood control. It is the first and largest Turkish dam on the Tigris River and a hydroelectric project that will regulate the river on which Iraq's heavily relies upon. Hydropower, or water power, is "power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes". Therefore, also the food production capacities in the respective region will increase substantially, which will be especially important in poor regions where the local population is dependent on the yields of farmers in order to survive. For instance, while some villages may profit since they will have better access to water, others will suffer since the water flows have been changed and they might no longer have access to their river at all. Nevertheless, let's see the definition of hydropower. [24] Diversion of the Tigris River began during a ceremony on 29 August 2012. In the long run, water bodies may be covered with algae and the whole ecosystem may collapse. Since the U.S. invasion, the marshes have been making a slow recovery, but the Ilisu Dam will place their survival in jeopardy once more, according to environmental scientists. Countries across the Middle East are facing a bleak future of declining rainfall, diminishing surface- and groundwater supplies, and increasing desertification. 2) Disrupts Local Ecosystems. Advantageous river sediments 5. The third example outlines the problem of downstream hydro-hegemony in the dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt, its downstream neighbor on the Nile, over the building of Ethiopias Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Even though they can provide many benefits, the construction of dams also implies serious problems. 6. [27] On 3 February 2015, a convoy of supplies for the dam was attacked, injuring three. Therefore, especially for people who live in big cities and have stressful jobs, reservoirs nearby cities may be a great place to spend their weekends and to relax from their demanding daily life. near the dam site, and the area is outstandingly rich in biodi-versity and thousands of years of cultural heritage.4 The dam will be 1.8 kilometres wide and 135 metres high, and will create the third largest reservoir in Turkey. All those environmental problems that are associated with dams can also lead to a significant ecological imbalance. Excessive levels of algae often lead to lower levels of oxygen in the water, which in turn can hurt many aquatic animals. 0000001153 00000 n On the other hand, there is plenty of maintenance, supervision and regulation around the proper operation of those hydropower plants that are located inside dams. Research Since it is quite time-intensive to plan those dams, it will also take a quite long time until the construction of dams is finished. Scheduled for completion in 2014, it is planned to be the biggest hydropower dam in Africa, with more than twice the generating capacity of the Aswan High Dam. There are several advantages to the Hoover Dam. For instance, many people in our nowadays society suffer from high stress levels since they have a quite demanding job and have to work long hours while also having to take care of their kids. In turn, this could lead to a change of nutrient levels in the water and many water organisms may have to adjust to those new conditions or might be forced to move if they do not like those conditions at all. However, pressure from environmental and human rights groups have often halted this process. Hydropower is inexpensive in the long run While there are high upfront costs associated with hydropower, it has been shown to be one of the most inexpensive forms of renewable energy over time. However, through the use of dams, a high fraction of those rainfalls can be stored in reservoirs, which takes away plenty of water and nearby villages will not have to suffer from floods too much anymore. The dam will have an overflow spillway on its right bank which will be controlled by eight radial gates which will pour into four chutes before the water reaches a plunge pool. The Ilisu Dam has spurred international controversy since its inception with the Southeastern Anatolia Project, known in Turkey as GAP. This will also be quite costly and those costs should also be factored in when it comes to the initial decision regarding whether it makes sense to build a dam or not. Together with a severe drought that has afflicted the region for the past decade, this decline in the quantity and quality of Tigris River water is expected to strangle Iraqi agriculture and hobble the recovery of the Mesopotamian Marshes, vast wetlands in southern Iraq where Sumerian civilization began. Source of recreation 7. Copyright 2023 International Water Law Project | All Rights Reserved In December 2008, the European firms suspended funds for the dam and gave Turkey a 180-day period to comply with over 150 international standards. What are the pros and cons of building a dam? [11][12] Three hydro-turbines have been commissioned since 19 June 2020 and the remaining three are being tested. The third chapter describes the significance of the Mesopotamian Marshes themselves as a harbinger for the well-being of the people of Iraq. The building of large dams can cause serious changes to the earths surface and lead to geological damage. The second chapter is an overview of the Tigris-Euphrates river basin including its hydro-geography, climate and early history of water use. [28][29], The construction reached 96% in June 2017. The Ilisu dam has a designed capacity of The current administration has also framed the dam as a symbol of Turkish sovereignty, touting it as a revolutionary project that demonstrates Turkeys ability to fight terrorism. Existing agreements between the states, both colonial era and post-WWII, and the application of the UN Watercourses Convention are then examined. An important part of electricity. How has the Islamic State (ISIS) affected the region in terms of water supply and water security? Below, we'll explore these pros and cons in further detail. Thus, the decision whether the construction of a dam is reasonable or not should be made on an individual basis in order to maximize the benefits of as many people as possible. The Ilisu Dam is part of the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) and is currently the largest hydro-power project in Turkey. When it has, Iraqi officials estimate it will reduce the downstream flow of the river by at least half, allowing more salty water to flood into the river from the Persian Gulf in southern Iraq. Did people face water challenges before, say, under Saddam Hussein? Its power station will be above ground and will contain 6 x 200 MW Francis turbine-generators with an expected annual generation of 3,833 GWh and gross hydraulic head of 122.6m (402ft). The Ilisu Dam is expected to open on December 31, 2017, but it will take several years for the 10.4 billion-cubic-meter reservoir to flood completely. The government is charging them more for the new houses than it is compensating them for the loss of their current homes and farms, so they will be forced to take on debt in the move. Turkeys downstream neighbors say the dam will dramatically reduce the flow of the Tigris into Iraq and Syria, pointing to similar declines in river levels that ensued from previous Turkish dams. conditions while building were so bad they had a 6 day strike. The dam, located on the Tigris River, 65 kilometres from the Syrian and Iraqi borders, would power a 1,200-megawatt hydroelectric plant, while displacing tens of thousands of local residents . 0. Water is a transient and finite resource. Presentation by Catherine S. Was completed in 1935. The purpose of the dams is to reserve water for the time of . Basically, this method of power generation uses water, which is a free . In this article, the pros and cons of dams are examined. Among all the Three Gorges Dam pros and cons, its flood control capacity is the most controversial. startxref It uses simple, understandable technology 4. Field irrigation 8. It is located 65km upstream on the main river course running along the borderline between . This entry was posted How much power does the Ilisu Dam produce? [30][31] In February 2018, construction on the dam was completed. Frequent Flooding Was Prevented. [37] Using 1990 census data, it had previously estimated that 55,127 people would be affected; updating these calculations using 2000 survey data produced a figure of 71,186. Dams are extremely expensive to build and must be built to a very high standard. A new dam and reservoir threatens to drown the city. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');This can lead to serious problems since in case of droughts, people may be quite helpless since they might not have enough water to survive without reservoirs from dams. Once the dam is completed, villagers await the expected annual rain or rains that will carry streamwater to start filling in behind the dam. Excavations for the main body of the dam began in May 2011 and the first loads of fill were laid in January 2012. [17] A feasibility study and final design by international consultants (198082) resulted in a recommendation to construct both the Ilsu Dam and the Cizre Dam downstream. It is the latest in a long-running project by Turkey to build 22 dams and power plants along the Tigris and the Euphrates that, according to a report by the French International Office for Water,. The dam was officially completed on September 18th 2009 after 10 years of construction with an official cost reaching roughly $27 billion US dollars to date The "economic disadvantages of the three gorges dam" is a topic that has been discussed for years. Therefore, dams can also be a valid tool to protect the local population from all kinds of unpleasant surprises that come along with heavy rainfalls and floods. Access to Drinking Water, Agriculture, Built Environment, Environment, Infrastructure, Innovation, Water & Society, Water Policy, Water Productivity, Water Scarcity, Environment, Uncategorized, Water & Health, Water Quality, Access to Drinking Water, Water & Health, Water Quality, Water Technology, Climate Change, Environment, Water Scarcity. The Arabs who live in the marshes were seen as security threats by Saddam Hussein, who accused them of sheltering Shiite rebels. How long it really takes depends on the complexity and the size of the project. [35], Completion of the Ilsu Dam caused the flooding of the majority of the ancient city of Hasankeyf, whose history stretches back over 10,000 years. 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