Should Dams be Removed or Maintained?

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Should Dams be Removed or Maintained?
Whether dams should be removed or maintained is a critical aspect that has raised many issues in the scientific field. A dam is a specific barrier restricting or stopping underground streams or surface water. There are specific reservoirs created to suppress floods and use the water for different activities such as irrigation. Therefore, whether dams should be maintained or removed requires factual analysis and integration of skills to address. The arguments emerged due to constant climate change, which has contributed to hazardous issues in dams. According to Foley et al., dams are detrimental to temperature management, water quality, and geomorphology, resulting in ecology disruptions (5229). However, different scientists have given reliable and justified approaches for maintaining dams. Dams make a significant global population; for instance, 45,000 dams exist globally, approximately 15 meters high ‌ (Magilligan). They have significant impacts on the rivers, such as increasing the catchments. The diversity in dam types, such as channel morphologies and upstream catchments, makes it difficult to justify the impact of dams. However, the hydrological changes of dams promote peak flows and seasonal flows, which may significantly impact biological creatures. Based on the geomorphological aspect, it is necessary to understand the justifications behind dam maintenance or removal. Many works of literature have been considered for understanding the floodplain geomorphology of dams and significant strategies to maintain it. Therefore, the research is based on the contrasting ideologies of whether or not to remove dams from the ecosystem. The paper explores why the dams should be maintained by providing biogeochemical and biophysical benefits.
Findings: Biophysical and Biogeochemical Benefits of Dam Maintenance
Dam maintenance enhances biogeochemical cycling.
The main reason dams should not be removed the positive effects on biogeochemical cycling. Dams enhance positive benefits when properly handled. It positively impacts the downstream ecosystems by reducing a load of detrimental nutrients (Maavara et al. 843). In normal circumstances, rivers contribute to a high level of Phosphorus and Nitrogen. The increase in the identified elements contributes to eutrophication in the coastal zones and freshwater. The effects are accompanied by shifting nutrient ratios. However, effective dam maintenance leads to a reduction in hazardous nutrients such as phytoplankton and toxic algae. The reduced load of the nutrients is beneficial and mitigates high levels of eutrophication, thus enhancing nutrient management. Besides, reservoirs are known for eliminating nutrients; however, the reservoirs are regulated through dam maintenance and management, inhibiting river trophic conditions that adversely impact the environment. The suitable approach in dam management is the environmental flow (e-flow). The approach optimizes river-flow management to enhance hydropower and limit adverse dam effects (Maavara et al., 845). For instance, the construction of single large dams is environmentally preferable since it reduces downstream effects. Besides, e-flow is ess...