Youtube Video on the Dams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKI5Krq4r1Q

Notes from Bloomberg article

• ·      Mekong river translate to ‘Mother of the waters’ in the Thai language
• ·      4,800-kilometer-long. 
• ·      The Mekong and its tributaries provide food, water and transportation to about 60 million people in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam
• ·      In 1993, China built one hydroelectric dams, with 3 following, without Consulting other countries
• ·      China wants to almost double its hydropower capacity to at least 300 gig watts by 2020 by building four more dams on the Mekong – would give china 15 giggawatts of power on the Mekong
• ·      Laos has proposed 10 hydropower plants on the mainstream of the Mekong that will export electricity and transform the nation -- one of Asia’s poorest, with a GDP per capita of $886
• ·      Cambodia is planning 2 dams
• ·      More then 130 hydroelectric projects planned on the Mekong and tributaries
• ·      Dams would transform 55 % of the Downstream river into a reservoir, resulting in slow water movement
• ·      The dams “have the potential to create Tran boundary impacts and international tensions,” the Mekong river commission report says. “One dam across the lower Mekong mainstream commits the river to irrevocable change.”
• ·      Chinese say they are aiding the environment, not harming it. Building dams “is an important step taken by the Chinese government to vigorously develop renewable and clean energy and contribute to the global endeavor to counter climate change,” Song Tao, the country’s vice minister of foreign affairs told a summit meeting of the MRC in April.
• ·      China hopes to generate 15% of it’s power from renewable resources – right now it’s 8%
• ·      1,200 species of fish in the Mekong – second in biodiversity to the Amazon
• ·      The lower Mekong basin is the world’s largest inland source of fish, accounting for almost 20 percent of the world’s freshwater fish yield, worth as much as $9.4 billion a year, according to the World Fish Center, an international nonprofit research group based in Malaysia.
• ·      Dependent on food for protein – 70% of the protein is from fish for the Cambodians
• ·      Replenish crops, livestock and households and are used in recreation and transportation
• ·      China says that the dams can help control flooding in the rainy season, and can store water for the dry season
• ·      The Laotian government is set to earn an average of $80 million per year during the first 25 years of the dam’s operation, the World Bank report says
• ·       6,200 villagers were relocated 60 km away from the river to make way for the reservoir
• ·      Some say life’s have improved – clinics, schools, wooden stilt houses, but harder to irrigate
• ·      “I’ve vaguely heard of some dams, but no one is really talking about it here,” says Pich Pov, 28, who operates a small cruise boat and lives aboard it with his family. “The Mekong is my mother. Everyone I know was born on this river, and she provides us with food and shelter.”

Photos of species in the Mekong

Dam in Yunnan on the Mekong

Irrawaddy Dolphin

Mekong Giant Catfish

Largest Catfish in the Mekong to date

Irrawaddy Dolphin in the Mekong

Innovation

In order to fulfill my vision, I think the place I should target is that the Chinese are building dams. If, they looked into alternate ways to create energy (not affecting the mekong river) that would positivly effect the countries who depend on the Mekong. Since 4 dams are already built, the Chinese could put in some money to create smaller tributaries and alternative paths that the fish could take while migrating. This way, fish species can still thrive, and hopefully endangered species will not become extinct. 

However, 60 million people are dependent on the Mekong and the dams will still effect water levels, and still may affect the fish. Introducing a new species of fish that don't have to migrate would be a last resource as that can effect the whole eco system. 

I also suggest that Laos and other countries considering building dams, don't, as the current situation would get even worse with even more dams. 

List Stakeholders:

- Fishermen in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand
- Tour guides who depend on the Mekong, and Irrawaddy Dolphins etc
- Chinese + Laotian government who are building the dams
- All governments who arearound the Mekong River.
- The fish species


Possible Indicators:

- # of people depending on the Mekong
- # of dolphins in the Mekong - stable, improving?
- % of fishermen in that area
- % of people who work in tourism
- # dams being built
- Economic loss

Vision:

- Fishermen who can live a sustainable life
- Fish species continue to be able to live in the Mekong
- Life in and around the Mekong continues to thrive
- Tourism still growing

I-Search Speech

 Imagine you are a Laotian fisherman. Your life depends upon the catch’s you make from the Mekong River. Over the past 10 years, you have noticed that the fish have decreased in number, and you worry that soon, you will no longer be able to make a living. Little do you know, that upstream, all the way in China, dams have been built which is why there is little water, resulting in less fish. This is your income we are talking about! And dams being built on the Mekong River are taking that away!

I-Search Topic:  How the dams being built on the Mekong River, are affecting people in terms of way of life, the environment as fish species cannot migrate, and the economy due to lack of fish.

-       The Chinese have built four hydroelectric dams, aiming to reduce carbon emissions

-       Nearly 200 dams are built, under construction, or planned in the mainstream, or in tributaries (smaller rivers and lakes off the Mekong)

-       Affecting Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos

-       Laos also wants to build dams in the lower part of the Mekong

-        

-       Problem with dams is that they reduce the water level, affecting everything

-       3 different lens’s have helped me in this topic

-       Firstly, the environmental impact

-       Many endangered species of fish live in the Mekong – Irrawaddy Dolphin, Giant Cat fish

-       Live in the lower part of the Mekong - Laos

-       During the dry season, over 150 species of fish migrate upstream for breeding but if the dams are blocking their path, their patterns are disturbed and they are forced to swim in low water areas which is dangerous

-       Without being able to migrate, they can’t reproduce as well, meaning extinct species

-       Some fish migrate all the way to china, but they can’t now due to dams.

-       Fish population will decrease, affecting people (social affect)

-       Social affects

-       60 million people depend on the river for food, water and transportation.

-       In Laos, 50% of people fish. In the south of Lao 80% of people fish

-       29-39 kg of fish per person per annum

-       With less fish, people can’t get money, meaning they can’t survive

-       Without money in the rural areas and being hungry, people will be forced to migrate to the city, which will create stress on the city as there a not enough jobs, and it’s more expensive then in the countries

-       Forces people to become adapted to city life, could lose cultural identity

-       Connects with the economy view

-       Less income coming in from fisheries, results in a poorer country

-       Economic loss

- Solutions

- Create fish passages, which the fish can take instead, in smaller tributaries

- Fish ladders -> a number of small basins and waterfalls, which fish, can pass

- Fish lifts -> which physically push the fish upwards

- Fish locks, which are similar

- Creating artificial rivers in parts, where fish can go instead

- Problem is … only been designed for a few species of fish. Mostly salmon

(Who jump very well)

-       Others warn to delay building dams for about 10 years, to see how things go with the current dams

-       Don’t build dams downstream in Laos etc. Move dams a lot more upstream so fish can still migrate upstream (as they don’t all go to the very top of the river)

The dams being built by the Chinese, and the other countries, will have a significant effect on life in and around the Mekong River. Of course, there a benefits to building dams but the negatives out weigh the positives, unless something is done to make sure fish can still migrate, and people can still survive.  I suggest that delaying building the dams will help as we can see how the Mekong River copes with the current dams.

Vision for the Mekong River

My vision for the Mekong river is that the fish who live in the Mekong, who are both endangered and not, can continue to migrate upstream for breeding, without being in danger. Also, since the Chinese want to decrease their carbon emissions by making hydroelectric dams, I vision that they can still make these dams without putting fish species and peoples lifestyle under threat. The Chinese government could perhaps start helping fund projects which can help build fish passages (or other thing's so fish can still migrate). I also vision that the people in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos who depend on the  Mekong for food, transportation or water can still continue to do this as this is not only their culture, but how they survive. I vision that the Mekong river in 50 years is still a spot in South East Asia where fish are common, and where people can depend on for their wellbeing.

Enviromental Factors

Dolphins 

"Apart from these threats to the dolphin population, Baird says that the future dam construction by the Lao government in the Mekong tributaries—contained in its development plans—would hurt the endangered species further.
If these dams are carried out, he says, Irrawaddy dolphins and many species of fishes in the Mekong River are likely to become extinct because their habitats would be devastated and altered permanently.
According to an IUCN paper, "possibly the most significant threat to river cetaceans is the construction of large water development structures, most notably dams, barrages, and levees".
"The environmental consequences of water development projects are significant and far reaching. These structures fragment populations and reduce the environmental complexity that makes rivers suitable for aquatic species," it added, pointing out that other Asian river dolphins are, like the Irrawaddy dolphin, under serious threat.
"The future of the Irrawaddy dolphin may well be determined by the forces of ecotourism and commercial development," the Bangkok-based English newspaper 'Bangkok Post' said in a recent report.
Apart from Laos, other countries have plans to build hydroelectric dams along the Mekong or its tributaries. A navigation agreement signed last year also seeks to widen the Mekong to facilitate commercial travel. " - tp://ipsnews.net/mekong/stories/dolphins.html


Irrawaddy dolphins are one of the most endangered animals in the world, and the Mekong river is one of the few places where they can be found. There are only about 100 dolphins left in the Mekong, and it is rapidly decreasing. Since the dam's are being built, the dolphins patterns are disturbed. During the dry season, they usually head upstream, but if a dam is blocking it, they can't, meaning they are forced to swim in low water area's which is dangerous.  

CatFish 

" The dam would be the first constructed on the lower Mekong River. It would likely prevent the Mekong giant catfish from migrating between Tonle Sap in Cambodia and the Mekong River in Thailand. Although there is still a great deal to be learned about the habitat use and spawning areas for the Mekong giant catfish, the area up to 50 miles north of Chiang Khong, Thailand is assumed to be the site of the primary spawning grounds.

Alternative Site for Hydroelectric Dam May Protect the Mekong River Basin's Fish

The report acknowledges that development in all of the Tonle Sap/Mekong River system countries is necessary but suggests an alternative. Moving the hydroelectric dam to one of the tributaries of the Mekong River would provide the needed power source without compromising the health of the Mekong River system. The future of the Mekong giant catfish and the other rare species of the Mekong River Basin may depend on such a compromise, allowing for development in Lao PDR utilizing other waterways."  - http://www.suite101.com/content/proposed-dam-threatens-critically-endangered-mekong-giant-catfish-a268709 

The dams are also affecting the Giant catfish species. This species is only found in the Mekong and the Tonie Sap river. They are also one of the most endangered species of fish. With the dam's being built in the lower Mekong river then the Catfishes wouldn't be able to migrate between Tonie Sap in cambodia and the Mekong river in Thailand. Without being able to do this, they would not be able to reproduce as quickly, meaning the species may become extinct. 






http://www.mrcmekong.org/catch-culture/vol14_3dec08/mainstream-dams-barriers.htm 


This website is about how people came together for a meeting regarding how the dam's being built on the Mekong, will affect the migration of many fish species. Several questions were asked, which they answered. They say there will be major economic and social effects because of the dam's. I have to research the sources they use, as this website uses a lot of sources. 

Citations

Dugan, Patrick. "Mainstream dams as barriers to fish migration: international learning and implications for the Mekong." Mekong River Commission . Oct. 2008. Web. 6 Nov. 2010. <http://www.mrcmekong.org/catch-culture/vol14_3dec08/mainstream-dams-barriers.htm >.

"Giant Catfish May Be World's Largest Freshwater Fish." National Geographic News. 28 Oct. 2010. Web. 5 Nov. 2010. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/photogalleries/giantcatfish/index.html>.

"Irrawaddy Dolphin." WWF. n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2010. <http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cetaceans/about/irrawaddy_dolphin/>.

Lee, Yoolim. "China Hydropower Dams in Mekong River Give Shocks to 60 Million." Bloomberg .     Bloomberg Markets Magazine, 27 Oct. 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2010.  <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-26/china-hydropower-dams-in-mekong-river-give-shocks-to-                60-million.html>.  

"Mekong River Basin." WWF. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/water/dams_initiative/examples/mekong/>.

Poston, Lee. "Mekong Dams Threaten Rare Giant Catfish." WWF. 27 July 2010. Web. 5 Nov. 2010. <http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem17495.html>.

"Signature Petition to Protect Mekong River from Mainstream Dams sent to Region’s Leaders." Indigenous Portal. 31 Oct. 2010. Web. 6 Nov. 2010. <http://www.indigenousportal.com/Mining-and-Extractive-Industries/Signature-Petition-to-Protect-Mekong-River-from-Mainstream-Dams-sent-to-Region’s-Leaders.html>.

Smith, Dawn M. "Proposed Dam Threatens Critically Endangered Mekong Giant Catfish Read more at Suite101: Proposed Dam Threatens Critically Endangered Mekong Giant Catfish http://www.suite101.com/content/proposed-dam-threatens-critically-endangered-mekong-giant-catfish-a268709#ixzz16pB3RSgd." Suite101.com. 1 Aug. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.suite101.com/content/proposed-dam-threatens-critically-endangered-mekong-giant-catfish-a268709>.

SOPHENG, CHHEANG. "Tourism Offers

Irrawaddy Dolphins Protection, and Farmers, Income." IPS .

n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010.

<http://ipsnews.net/mekong/stories/dolphins2.html>.

Sullivan, Michael . " A river runs through it: the Mekong river, Thailand and Laos." PROBE International . 18 Feb. 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2010. <http://www.probeinternational.org/mekong-utility-watch/river-runs-through-it-mekong-river-thailand-and-laos>.

Links to look at:

• http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-26/china-hydropower-dams-in-mekong-river-give-shocks-to-60-million.html 
• http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/20060 
• http://www.springerlink.com/content/5561301gr88q6m37/
• 
  
• http://ipsnews.net/mekong/stories/dolphins2.html 
• http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/27/group-dams-would-doom-mekong-rivers-giant-catfish/ 
• http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/water/dams_initiative/examples/mekong/
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