Benefits Of controlling The Colorado

Question 1

Industry

Answer 1

HEP generated by the dam has had a major impact on industrial development - large volume of cheap power
Electricity used, particularly in high tech industries
found in cities such as Phoenix
HEP - pollution free and contributes to energy conservation - coal, oil - 6 million barrels of oil a year to produce same electricity as Hoover dam
Employment opportunities created - tourism, fishing etc

Question 2

Municipal Water

Answer 2

Water available meets the needs of 40 million people for bathing, drinking, swimming pools etc

Question 3

Wildlife

Answer 3

Artificial sanctuaries and lakes for water fowl
250 species at lake mead
New habitats around the dam and reservoir

Question 4

Sediment Control

Answer 4

Colorado carries massive amounts of sediment in its natural state
Dams act as sediment traps providing a cleaner, clearer water supply that is more readily usable by people.
Glen canyon dam retains 75% of sediment which used to flow into lake mead

Question 5

Flood Control

Answer 5

Dams like Parker, Hoover and Lakes Mead and Powell allow water to be controlled
Reduced death and damage to housing from flooding
Water in the downstream river now at same level

Question 6

Power

Answer 6

7 of the 11 major dams generate HEP
The three main benefits
- The huge amount of electricity supplied - urban and industrial growth - supplied to half a million homes. Energy for air conditioners - temps over 40 degrees Celsius
- Electricity can be sold, returning some of the costs of the scheme
- Energy used to pump irrigator water thousands of kilometres

Question 7

Recreation

Answer 7

Encourages tourism - Lake Mead - Fishing, boating, caravan sites
World famous dams attract tourists. Lake mead national recreational attracts millions of visitors
Improved scenery
$87.9 million visitor centre built in 1995
All of this brings money into the area

Question 8

Agriculture

Answer 8

Greater variety of crops grown including citrus crops and vegetables
Imperial Valley - Largest piece of irrigated land in the USA which provides food through the selling of cash crops for money
The all American canal - largest irrigation channel in the world and carries water to the imperial valley
550 deaths since 1997