Integrating a dam on a territory with multiple reservoirs

Abstract

Water has been a vital resource for the continuity of life. This is why states are trying to ensure water security for their citizens by building water infrastructures on their rivers. It is important to consider the purpose of the dam when planning it, especially when the dam is to be built on a territory where multiple reservoirs exist. Hydropower dams are convenient choices in many conditions as they cause very small water loss in the basin. They can be integrated into multiple basins without causing many problems. They only cause water loss during the infilling of their reservoirs. Once the reservoir is filled with water, the water flow in the basin will be as it was before. However, compensation might be paid for the period of water filling to the downstream states or other dam owners. Before constructing a dam, economic, social, environmental and cultural impacts that the dam will create should also be examined. Also, the responsible should make sure that the dam is not planned on tectonically active zones. Another important issue building a dam in a multiple reservoir terrain causes induce earthquakes. Reservoir induced earthquakes are regarded as natural disasters in most countries.