What you'll need to know...
KEY CONCEPT - Future possibilities for management intervention in drainage basins
The importance of strengthening participation of local communities to improve water management in different economic development contexts, including sustainable water use and efficiency, and ensuring access to clean safe and affordable water
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes, and their costs and benefits
• Case study of contemporary dam building expansion in one major drainage basin
The growing importance of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) plans, and the costs and benefits they bring
• Case study of one recent IDBM plan
Growing pressures on major wetlands and efforts to protect them, such as the Ramsar Convention
• Case study of the future possibilities for one wetland area
The importance of strengthening participation of local communities to improve water management in different economic development contexts, including sustainable water use and efficiency, and ensuring access to clean safe and affordable water
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes, and their costs and benefits
• Case study of contemporary dam building expansion in one major drainage basin
The growing importance of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) plans, and the costs and benefits they bring
• Case study of one recent IDBM plan
Growing pressures on major wetlands and efforts to protect them, such as the Ramsar Convention
• Case study of the future possibilities for one wetland area
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes, and their costs and benefits...
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes reflects growing global demand for water, energy, and food security. Large dams are designed to provide multiple benefits, including hydropower generation, irrigation, flood control, water supply, and improved navigation. In many countries, especially LEDCs, dams are viewed as key drivers of economic development and modernization. However, these schemes also involve significant social, environmental, and political costs. Dam construction can disrupt river ecosystems, displace communities, alter sediment flows, and create long-term financial and geopolitical challenges. Evaluating both the costs and benefits of multipurpose dams is essential for understanding their sustainability in a changing climate.
Complete tasks 1 on the work sheet above (there is further guidance below).
Task 1 – Background:
Multipurpose Dams (Costs and Benefits). Read Geofile 410 (September 2001): Big Dams – The Economic, Political and Social Issues and make structured notes on multipurpose dam construction.
Work in pairs. Your notes should focus specifically on why dam building has increased and the costs and benefits of large, multipurpose water schemes (e.g. hydropower, irrigation, flood control, and water supply).
Organise your notes using the SEEP framework, ensuring that each point is clearly linked to dam construction:
Social
Focusing in on the issues of dams.
Task 2. Read GeoFile Online River management schemes – blessing or curse? (Ed 399, April 2001)
Complete the activity sheet below (Paper 2 type questions based on part of the Geofile).
Task 1 – Background:
Multipurpose Dams (Costs and Benefits). Read Geofile 410 (September 2001): Big Dams – The Economic, Political and Social Issues and make structured notes on multipurpose dam construction.
Work in pairs. Your notes should focus specifically on why dam building has increased and the costs and benefits of large, multipurpose water schemes (e.g. hydropower, irrigation, flood control, and water supply).
Organise your notes using the SEEP framework, ensuring that each point is clearly linked to dam construction:
Social
- Impacts on local communities and livelihoods
- Population displacement and resettlement
- Health impacts linked to reservoirs and irrigation schemes
- Benefits for development, energy supply, agriculture, and industry
- Construction and maintenance costs
- Debt, cost overruns, and long-term economic sustainability
- Changes to river systems, ecosystems, and sediment flows
- Impacts on fish stocks, water quality, and biodiversity
- Long-term environmental risks and sustainability
- Role of governments and international organisations
- Transboundary water disputes
- Decision-making, consultation, and conflict
- To what extent do the benefits of multipurpose dams outweigh their costs?
- Why have attitudes towards large dam projects changed over time?
Focusing in on the issues of dams.
Task 2. Read GeoFile Online River management schemes – blessing or curse? (Ed 399, April 2001)
Complete the activity sheet below (Paper 2 type questions based on part of the Geofile).
Dam building - The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam...
Task - To build up a case study of contemporary dam building expansion (G.E.R.D) on the river Nile as well as the related geopolitical effects. You can record your case study on an A3 version of the case study structure sheet beneath the videos (below).
Below, you will find three resources that aim to explain what the GERD is and three that go into further detail regarding some of the conflict surrounding the scheme. As you can imagine in a basin this size, the implications for a dam of this size are considerable for countries downstream.
Once complete, please complete the following IB DP style Paper 1 examination question.
Examine the costs and benefits of dams and reservoirs as part of multi-purpose schemes using a contemporary example. (10)
The growing importance of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) plans...
"Integrated river basin management (IRBM) is the process of coordinating conservation, management and development of water, land and related resources across sectors within a given river basin, in order to maximise the economic and social benefits derived from water resources in an equitable manner while preserving and, where necessary, restoring freshwater ecosystems."
Adapted from Integrated Water Resources Management, Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory Committee Background Papers, No. 4, 2000.)
Adapted from Integrated Water Resources Management, Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory Committee Background Papers, No. 4, 2000.)
Task 1 - Click here to be taken to a little background information on IRBM plans from the JKGeography. Create a spider diagram to show the seven key elements to a successful IRBM initiative.
Case Study. Back to the Murray Darling (Australia)...
Task 2 - Watch the first video below and take notes on the history of the mismanagement of the Murray Darling Drainage Basin in Australia. Use the task sheet below and structured questions to help you.
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Task 3 - Using the videos below and the note taking sheet from Task 2, complete the activities as set out.
Task 3 - Using the videos below and the note taking sheet from Task 2, complete the activities as set out.
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Growing pressures on major wetlands and efforts to protect them...
Major wetlands are among the world’s most productive and valuable ecosystems, providing essential services such as flood regulation, water purification, carbon storage, and habitats for biodiversity. However, these environments are under increasing pressure from human activities and climate change. Urban expansion, agricultural intensification, water abstraction, pollution, and sea-level rise are all contributing to wetland degradation and loss. In response, governments, conservation organisations, and local communities are developing strategies to protect and manage wetlands more sustainably. Understanding these pressures and protection efforts is essential for evaluating the future resilience of wetland ecosystems.
Click here to be taken to an explanation of how wetlands are utilized as a water resource.
Task 1 - Using this worksheet, create some revision notes outlining the major values and a brief explanation of each.
So, as you might have guessed, we are heading back to Australia again for this section. As part of the Murray Darling Drainage Basin, the Nimmie-Caira wetlands have been severely impacted by human activity and more recently have been part of a massive investment scheme to restore them.
Task 1 - Using this worksheet, create some revision notes outlining the major values and a brief explanation of each.
So, as you might have guessed, we are heading back to Australia again for this section. As part of the Murray Darling Drainage Basin, the Nimmie-Caira wetlands have been severely impacted by human activity and more recently have been part of a massive investment scheme to restore them.
Task 2 - Using the resources above and below, create some 'detailed example' notes that outline the pressures Nimmie Caira and the subsequent efforts to protect them, including the future possibilities for the area.
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The Ramsar Convention... (optional extra)
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Starter: Jog your memory. Watch the video to the right that reminds you of the importance of wetlands and the Ramsar Convention.
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Task 1 - Download the fact sheet below, print out and highlight the key components of the Ramsar Convention.
Community-level responses to water management...
As you have seen, there are a variety of possibilities at different scales to manage water scarcity and associated issues. This last lesson on the freshwater course will encourage you to think about ways in which this can be done on a smaller community-level scale.
A famous technique to reduce water wastage and to manage water use is known as rainwater harvesting. This entails the capture of rainwater before it is drained away or evaporates. Below are two examples of schemes in contrasting parts of the world. The first is 'glacial runoff harvesting' - an amazing Ice Stupa project in Ladakh, a region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, brought about as a result of climate change and glacial retreat (note synthesis opportunity with 2.2 Climate Vulnerability & Resilience). The second is construction of sand dams in Eastern Africa.
Task 1 - You can work in teams of three and use the note taking framework below to record the important information surrounding each of the three schemes outlined. Share the information with one another before coming up with a plan on how to answer the two questions at the bottom of this page:
A famous technique to reduce water wastage and to manage water use is known as rainwater harvesting. This entails the capture of rainwater before it is drained away or evaporates. Below are two examples of schemes in contrasting parts of the world. The first is 'glacial runoff harvesting' - an amazing Ice Stupa project in Ladakh, a region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, brought about as a result of climate change and glacial retreat (note synthesis opportunity with 2.2 Climate Vulnerability & Resilience). The second is construction of sand dams in Eastern Africa.
Task 1 - You can work in teams of three and use the note taking framework below to record the important information surrounding each of the three schemes outlined. Share the information with one another before coming up with a plan on how to answer the two questions at the bottom of this page:
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Exam Corner Examine the role of local communities in the management of water resources. [10] Explain two ways in which water can be managed to provide a more sustainable future for local communities in countries such as these. [3 + 3] |
