NationStates Jolt Archive

There was an issue suggesting building dams to make energy etc at the expense of losing biodiversity.
I voted no dams.

"flash floods that dams could have controlled regularly ravage small towns in mountain valleys"

This is of the utmost stupidity Ive seen in this game. The lack of dams doesn't cause floods. Deforestation does. And I doubt very much that the forests of my country won't prevent floods.

Please fix this bug or whatever it is.

"flash floods that dams could have controlled regularly ravage small towns in mountain valleys"

This is of the utmost stupidity Ive seen in this game.

Then, you aren't looking quite hard enough for "dumb" things. :wink:

The lack of dams doesn't cause floods. Deforestation does. And I doubt very much that the forests of my country won't prevent floods.

Deforestation is one cause of floods; no dams is another. I live in an area that's never had forests or a large amount of trees in its existense, and we're still flood-prone, so, this issue is correct in its assumption.

Please fix this bug or whatever it is.

It's not a bug, as you say, it was the way the issue was written.

Deforestation is one cause of floods; no dams is another. I live in an area that's never had forests or a large amount of trees in its existense, and we're still flood-prone, so, this issue is correct in its assumption.


I'm going to correct you ...

I'm a water resource engineer ... the lack of dams does not cause floods. Floods are a naturally occurring process, and there is ecological good that comes from them.

However, a well designed dam will reduce the risk of floods. Considerably.

The issue didn't strike me as off, but there are other options that it should have addressed IMHO.


In any event, I've been working on forecasting water quality for my state in response to the Jones Tract levee break (June 3rd, 2004). This is going to cost the State of California millions of dollars.

Let's say that I've now been inspired to create a new issue "When the Levee Breaks" that will address the issues of levee maintence, water supply, and ecological impacts (naturally with a tint of humour). :)

Maybe this issue, will make it in the queue. I never heard about my vector control or comics code authority issues -- both of which I thought were pretty well written. ::sigh::

Michael

Well, then, good luck with your submission of your entry!

I didn't realize you worked in that field, and thus, have learned from you. Thanks!

Well, then, good luck with your submission of your entry!

I didn't realize you worked in that field, and thus, have learned from you. Thanks!

Well, you had the right idea ... deforestation can increase the intensity and frequency of floods for obvious reasons. :)

The thing about dams: they actually promote / accelerate downstream erosion, and in many ecosystems have increased the water temperature, effectively killing off numerous aquatic species.

The issue isn't perfect, largely because it tries to take what is a billion dollar industry and summarize it in a few lines. ::shrug:: But the same could be said about many environmental issues.


Michael