View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository
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107<br />
Note: (i) Impacts: + beneficial; • adverse. Other scoring factors:<br />
importance, probability <strong>of</strong> occurrence, term and duration.<br />
\ii) The environmental impacts <strong>of</strong> dams will vary depending inter alia on<br />
the specific purpose for which the dam was constructed. The<br />
Qedusizi Dam (presently under construction) for example, is to be<br />
used for flood control. The dam, on the Klip River, will be kept as<br />
empty as possible in order to alleviate floods and accordingly, to<br />
prevent damage to the town <strong>of</strong> ladysmith.<br />
TableJ33: Actions and environmental effects <strong>of</strong> water projects (according to the<br />
environmental criteria <strong>of</strong> the International Commission on large Dams).<br />
Characteristics <strong>of</strong> actions Environmental effects<br />
1. Water consumption: 1. Impact on man:<br />
Irrigation • Economic impacts<br />
Ecology Industry and commerce<br />
Energy and power Provision <strong>of</strong> employment<br />
Domestic use Tourism<br />
River control Agriculture and stock farming<br />
Industrial use Communications<br />
Shipping Local financing<br />
Fire fighting<br />
Fishing<br />
Land values<br />
Recreation<br />
• Social impacts<br />
Social acceptance<br />
Recreation<br />
Local landmarks and character<br />
Appearance<br />
Domestic water supply<br />
Land purchases<br />
Depopulation <strong>of</strong> rural areas<br />
Protection against natural disasters<br />
Health<br />
2. Physical factors: 2. Geophysical impacts:<br />
Presence <strong>of</strong> dam<br />
Morphology<br />
Dam structure<br />
Erosion<br />
River diversion Sediment in suspension<br />
Construction site Channel load<br />
C<strong>of</strong>fer dam New water-retaining lands<br />
Buildings Floods<br />
Deforestation<br />
Gradient stability<br />
Stone quarries and borrow areas Stimulation <strong>of</strong> earthquakes<br />
Shipping locks Soil salinity<br />
Channels and pipelines Sedimentation and aggradation<br />
Water discharges Reclamation and drainage<br />
Inflow and permanent diversions<br />
Conveyance routes<br />
TIdal changes
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