Environmental impacts of a major water supply scheme incorporating a major dam and/or barrage
Building a large dam or barrage to store and supply water causes serious damage to the surrounding environment. It floods land, disrupts river ecosystems, and alters natural sediment and water flows.
Real World
China's Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River displaced 1.3 million people, triggered landslides due to reservoir-induced seismicity, and caused the functionally extinct Yangtze River dolphin's population collapse by fragmenting its habitat.
Exam Focus
Structure environmental impact answers across upstream and downstream effects — examiners reward spatial thinking that moves beyond the immediate dam site.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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