001 - Dams and reservoirs

Syllabus Point

Examine (AO3) the hydrological changes resulting from the construction of dams and reservoirs.

Examine (AO3) the costs and benefits of dams and reservoirs as part of multi-purpose schemes.

Key Terminology

Define the terms below using your 'IB Geography. Course Book' by Cooke and Nagle, the command term posters in the classroom and the links below.

• Examine
• Hydrology
• Dam
• Reservoir
• Multi-purpose scheme

Activity One - Applying Knowledge

1. How does the construction of a dam and reservoir impact the movement of water around the hydrological cycle?

Hint - Think about...

• Infiltration rates
• Evaporation rates
• Stores
• Page 106 in your 'Geography Course Companion' by Nagle and Cooke also has a good diagram that should prompt your ideas.

• Pages 149 - 151 in the text book 'Planet Geography' by Codrington gives a good description of the operation of a drainage basin.

Activity Two - Watch

• Watch the youtube clip below on the Three Gorges Dam in China and fill in the grid. This will give you a basis for a case study looking at implications of building a multi-purpose dam.

Three Gorges Dam - Worksheet

Read

• 3 Gorges Dam
• Scientific American - Environmental Cost
• The Guardian - China 'warns' of urgent problems facing the 3 Gorges Dam

Exam Style Question

'Multi-purpose dams cause more costs than benefits' Discuss (10 marks)