Water Resources Projects and Their Environmental Impacts


Book Description

book present one of the few balanced treatments of the very controversial topic-environmental impact of water resources projects.




Environmental Impact of Water Resource Projects


Book Description

This book discusses the environmental impact of water resources projects. Information from literature related to the implementation of studies on water resources projects such as dams and reservoirs, channelization, and dredging are summarized. Other topics covered are methodologies, transport, and decision-making.




The Power of Renewables


Book Description

The United States and China are the world's top two energy consumers and, as of 2010, the two largest economies. Consequently, they have a decisive role to play in the world's clean energy future. Both countries are also motivated by related goals, namely diversified energy portfolios, job creation, energy security, and pollution reduction, making renewable energy development an important strategy with wide-ranging implications. Given the size of their energy markets, any substantial progress the two countries make in advancing use of renewable energy will provide global benefits, in terms of enhanced technological understanding, reduced costs through expanded deployment, and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to conventional generation from fossil fuels. Within this context, the U.S. National Academies, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), reviewed renewable energy development and deployment in the two countries, to highlight prospects for collaboration across the research to deployment chain and to suggest strategies which would promote more rapid and economical attainment of renewable energy goals. Main findings and concerning renewable resource assessments, technology development, environmental impacts, market infrastructure, among others, are presented. Specific recommendations have been limited to those judged to be most likely to accelerate the pace of deployment, increase cost-competitiveness, or shape the future market for renewable energy. The recommendations presented here are also pragmatic and achievable.




Irrigation and Water Resources Engineering


Book Description

The Book Irrigation And Water Resources Engineering Deals With The Fundamental And General Aspects Of Irrigation And Water Resources Engineering And Includes Recent Developments In Hydraulic Engineering Related To Irrigation And Water Resources Engineering. Significant Inclusions In The Book Are A Chapter On Management (Including Operation, Maintenance, And Evaluation) Of Canal Irrigation In India, Detailed Environmental Aspects For Water Resource Projects, A Note On Interlinking Of Rivers In India, And Design Problems Of Hydraulic Structures Such As Guide Bunds, Settling Basins Etc.The First Chapter Of The Book Introduces Irrigation And Deals With The Need, Development And Environmental Aspects Of Irrigation In India. The Second Chapter On Hydrology Deals With Different Aspects Of Surface Water Resource. Soil-Water Relationships Have Been Dealt With In Chapter 3. Aspects Related To Ground Water Resource Have Been Discussed In Chapter 4. Canal Irrigation And Its Management Aspects Form The Subject Matter Of Chapters 5 And 6. Behaviour Of Alluvial Channels And Design Of Stable Channels Have Been Included In Chapters 7 And 8, Respectively. Concepts Of Surface And Subsurface Flows, As Applicable To Hydraulic Structures, Have Been Introduced In Chapter 9. Different Types Of Canal Structures Have Been Discussed In Chapters 10, 11, And 13. Chapter 12 Has Been Devoted To Rivers And River Training Methods. After Introducing Planning Aspects Of Water Resource Projects In Chapter 14, Embankment Dams, Gravity Dams And Spillways Have Been Dealt With, Respectively, In Chapters 15, 16 And 17.The Students Would Find Solved Examples (Including Design Problems) In The Text, And Unsolved Exercises And The List Of References Given At The End Of Each Chapter Useful.




Water Resources Assessment, Modelling and Management


Book Description

Water is one of the most vital resources on Earth and plays a crucial role in sustaining life. With the rapid increase in population and urbanization, the demand for water has been increasing exponentially, leading to an immense pressure on the existing water resources. In this context, the assessment, modelling, and management of water resources have become crucial to ensure sustainable development. This book, "Water Resources Assessment, Modelling and Management," is a collection of 101 articles that delve into various topics related to water resources. It covers various aspects related to surface water, groundwater, surface water modelling, groundwater modelling, management of water resources, challenges and strategies, advanced techniques in water resources, thrust areas. The book provides a special emphasis on water resources issues and management in India, which is crucial due to the significant water-related challenges faced by the country. The articles in the book offer a broad overview of the latest techniques, tools, and strategies used in the assessment, modelling, and management of water resources. Each article is concise, with a length of around three pages, and provides a brief yet informative summary of the respective topic. The aim of the book is to provide readers with a quick and accessible overview of each topic, without delving too deeply into technical details or using equations. To keep the content straightforward and easy to understand, the articles do not contain equations. However, readers who wish to explore a topic in more depth are encouraged to consult other relevant books and resources, where they can find more comprehensive information and mathematical formulations. The book aims to be a valuable resource for water resources professionals, researchers, and students who are interested in understanding the challenges associated with water resources and the strategies for their management. It covers a wide range of topics, including the latest techniques and tools used in water resources management, and the impact of climate change on water resources. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge and practice in the assessment, modelling, and management of water resources. The book is expected to serve as a useful reference for anyone interested in this important and timely topic.




Economical, Political, and Social Issues in Water Resources


Book Description

Economical, Political, and Social Issues in Water Resources provides a fully comprehensive and interdisciplinary overview of all three factors in their relation to water resources. Economic issues consist of Water accounting, Water economy, Water pricing, Water market, Water bank and bourse. Political issues consist of Water power and hydrogemistry, Water diplomacy and hydropolitics, Water rights and water laws, Water governance and policy, Shared water resources management, Water management systems, and social issues consist of Water and culture, civilization and history, Water quality, hygiene, and health, Water and society. This book familiarizes researchers with all aspects of the field, which can lead to optimized and multidimensional water resources management. Some of abovementioned issues are new, so the other aim of this book is to identify them in order to researchers can easily find them and use them in their studies. - Includes diverse case studies from around the world - Presents contributions from global and diverse contributors with interdisciplinary backgrounds, including water engineers, scientists, planners the economic, political and social issues surrounding water - Contains in-depth definitions and concepts of each topic




Water Resources in the Built Environment


Book Description

Water management is a key environmental issue in controlling of floods and reducing droughts. This book provides analysis of the main issues, offering solutions and describing good practice. Water Resources for the Built Environment: management issues and solutions develops an appreciation of the diverse, complex and current themes of the water resources debate across the built environment, urban development and management continuum. The integration of physical and environmental sciences, combined with social, economic and political sciences, provide a unique resource, useful to policy experts, scientists, engineers and subject enthusiasts. By taking an interdisciplinary approach, water resources issues and impacts on the built environment are presented in the inventive and strategic setting of considering the constraints of delivering potable water to an ever-demanding society who, at the same time, are increasingly aware of living in an urban landscape where excessive surface water creates a flood threatened environment – hence, the need to portray a balance between ‘too little vs. too much’. This unique approach to the water resources debate presents a multifaceted collection of chapters that address the contemporary concomitant issues of water shortage and urban flooding and proffers solutions specifically for the built environment. The book is structured into three parts: the first part (Sections 2, 3 and 4) addresses management issues and solutions to minimise water shortages and provide water security for society; whilst the second part of the book (Sections 5 and 6) addresses management issues and solutions to control excessive rainfall and minimise flooding impacts. The third part (Section 7) contextualises the issues of the earlier sections within international case studies from the developing world.




Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources


Book Description

This book gives an overview of various aspects of climate change by integrating global climate models, downscaling approaches, and hydrological models. It also covers themes that help in understanding climate change in a holistic manner. The book includes worked-out examples, revision questions, exercise problems, and case studies, making it relevant for use as a textbook in graduate courses and professional development programs. The book will serve well researchers, students, as well as professionals working in the area of hydroclimatology.




Confronting the Nation's Water Problems


Book Description

In order to confront the increasingly severe water problems faced by all parts of the country, the United States needs to make a new commitment to research on water resources. A new mechanism is needed to coordinate water research currently fragmented among nearly 20 federal agencies. Given the competition for water among farmers, communities, aquatic ecosystems and other users-as well as emerging challenges such as climate change and the threat of waterborne diseases-Confronting the Nation's Water Problems concludes that an additional $70 million in federal funding should go annually to water research. Funding should go specifically to the areas of water demand and use, water supply augmentation, and other institutional research topics. The book notes that overall federal funding for water research has been stagnant in real terms for the past 30 years and that the portion dedicated to research on water use and social science topics has declined considerably.




Water for the Future


Book Description

This book is the result of a joint research effort led by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and involving the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and the Palestine Health Council. It discusses opportunities for enhancement of water supplies and avoidance of overexploitation of water resources in the Middle East. Based on the concept that ecosystem goods and services are essential to maintaining water quality and quantity, the book emphasizes conservation, improved use of current technologies, and water management approaches that are compatible with environmental quality.