Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Salmon are among the ish that may be harmed by the construction of a dam.
animals that live in the area. Large dams prevent the sediment
from lowing freely. To replace the sediment that has been
removed, the water that comes through the dam begins to
take sand and other natural material from the riverbanks. This
process strips away sand and tiny rocks from the riverbanks.
Salmon, other ish, and some mosquitoes normally have their
babies in that material. As it gets carried away, the living things
that inhabit the area begin to suffer.
Dams form large reservoirs. These large bodies of water and
the lakes they create can also hurt the environment. A grassy
material called peat normally takes carbon dioxide out of the air.
This helps in the battle against global warming. In some areas,
the lakes formed by dams lood over the peat. The peat begins
to rot and can no longer remove carbon dioxide from the air.
In addition, when peat and other plants rot, they release more
carbon dioxide into the air. This adds to global warming.
