Well, I was just at Hoover Dam, so let's use that as an example.
The prime purpose of the construction of Hoover Dam was to control the Colorado River, which up until that time had been subject to seasonal flooding with the snowmelt and drying up in the summer. In 1905, a flood moved the river out of its bed, creating the Salton Sea and flooding out homes and croplands all over the Imperial Valley. It took two years to return the river to its original course. Part of the original Hoover Dam project included the creation of the All American Canal, which would carry water to the Imperial Valley for irrigation. Today, the Imperial Valley is one of the richest agricultural areas in the world.
A second benefit of Hoover Dam was the installation of hydroelectric generators. Hoover Dam provides power to Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona.
A third benefit was water reclamation. The Colorado River supplies water to seven states plus Mexico. The river is USED UP. It no longer reaches the Pacific Ocean, but ends in salt flats several miles from the coast.
A fourth benefit was recreation: the creation of Lake Mead, which is controlled by the National Park Service.
In addition, once the river was "tamed," additional dams could be built up and down the river, creating more sources of power, more control of the river, and more recreational areas.
2007-07-10 09:49:09
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answer #1
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answered by TychaBrahe 7
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