Did You Know...

...that contrary to popular belief, construction of new dams more than 15 meters high is actually increasing in the world as well as in the United States.

ICOLD's annual survey shows an increase from 1,190 dams under construction in 1991 to 1,242 in 1994 in 41 countries.

Perhaps even more surprising is the significant increase, percentage-wise, of the number of dams more than 100 meters high. Out of 1,242 dams under construction in 1994, 79 exceeded 100 meters, or 6.36 percent. This compares with 411 dams out of the total of 36,272, or 1.13 percent, in 1986.

Not surprisingly, most dam construction activity in 1994 (as in prior years) took place in four developing countries, as seen from the following tabulation: China 311, Turkey 190, Japan 140, Republic of Korea 125, India 76, and USA 55.

These were followed by Spain 53, Romania 39, Italy 37, Tunisia 28, Algeria 24, Iran 22, Thailand 17, Greece 14, France 12 and Brazil 12. Many of this second group have extensive semi-arid areas where additional water supply is essential.

However, even the present 36,000-plus dams worldwide will not be adequate to supply water for twice as many people in another 30 years. Therefore, more technically safe, environmentally responsible and socially acceptable dams will no doubt be constructed in the near future.

Thanks to Jan Veltrop for contributing this "Benefits of Dams."

(reprinted from the USCOLD Newsletter, March 1995, page 3)