Title: Analysis on dams, their impacts, and environmentally minded engineering

Authors: Julianna Gonzalez; Maxwell Dixon; Daniel Monzon; Alexander Osterude Rey; Russell Ryan

Addresses: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA ' University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA ' University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA ' University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA ' University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine information on potential solutions to combat the effects of abandoned dams on the environment. Early dams were developed to control irrigation, but they have slowly evolved as methods to divert water into villages and cities and eventually produce energy. In this paper, we examine many environmental issues caused by dams, like the disruption of the natural water environment of many species, diverting the existing flow of rivers and lakes, flooding, and more. We will also review why some dams are difficult to maintain, which has then led to the abandonment of many dams around the world. Solutions will be proposed to mitigate the ecological damage caused by aging dams. An analysis between the most common renewable and non-renewable energy production methods was completed to gain perspective on the relative damage caused by dams, and their efficiency compared to other energy production methods.

Keywords: reinforcement; phasing; hydropower; dams; flooding; environmentally centred design; flushing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPR.2023.134220

International Journal of Student Project Reporting, 2023 Vol.1 No.4, pp.328 - 348

Received: 03 Aug 2022
Accepted: 17 Jan 2023
Published online: 13 Oct 2023 *

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