DAM ENGINEERING, ITS PRACTICE AND POTENTIAL IN PAKISTAN (original) (raw)
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Pakistan is located in a semiarid to arid region where rainfall is highly deficient and does not match the crop requirements. In most plain areas of the country it is less than 500 mm and is unevenly distributed over the year. As Pakistan is not an oil rich country, its economy depends on agriculture sector which accounts for about 23 % of the GDP and 42% of total employed labour force. It is also the largest source of foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture of country is mostly dependent on Indus River System (IRS). IRS maintains World's largest integrated irrigation network called Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS). Historically IBIS had been fed through run of river supplies derived from Indus and its five major tributaries. As a result of Indus Water Treaty with India in 1960, Indus Basin Project (IBP) works were constructed during the sixties and the seventies. Two mega multipurpose projects (Mangla and Tarbela dams), five barrages one gated siphon and eight interriver link canals were constructed to regulate and convey water of western rivers to irrigation canals taking off from eastern rivers. Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) completed the construction of all sixteen IBP components within a decade. Two multipurpose dams, Mangla (Live Storage 6.6 billion cubic meter (BCM), Installed Capacity 1000 MW) and Tarbela (Live Storage 11.9 BCM, Installed Capacity 3478 MW) were built on Jhelum and Indus rivers respectively. These multipurpose mega dams provide about 70% of total existing storage capacity and hydropower infrastructure (producing one fifth of the country's electricity during 2007-08). These dams were constructed to regulate and supplement flows in irrigation network to sustain Pakistan's agriculture. These dams are primarily operated according to irrigation requirements of the country while inexpensive hydroelectricity is produced as a byproduct. This paper highlights the role of the two large multi purpose dams i.e. Mangla and Tarbela commissioned in 1967 and 1976 respectively, in the economic development of Pakistan. Careful analysis of four decades historic data (from 1967 to 2006) after the construction of these dams on the canal head diversions of IBIS, when compared with the historic run of river supplies, reveals that about 20% additional flows are available for irrigation during low
Role of storage dams in management of water during drought periods
Iran is an arid and semi-arid country. Storage dams have played a valuable role in controlling of destructive floods and management of water usage. A number of large dams have become dry in recent years due to long droughts and over-withdrawals. Environmental experts have exploited this as a pretext against storage dams considering dam construction in Iran being wasteful and unsystematic. Storage dams have, in an intangible manner, a more valuable role during drought periods than during wet periods. A significant example is Sepidroud dam. Despite the recent 15-year drought, over-withdrawals and construction of several storage dams upstream, its 1750 MCM big reservoir spilled downstream during a recent flood. Performance of Sepidroud dam and its role in management of runoff in great Qezel Owzan basin will be analyzed along with investigation of changes in rainfall depth and pattern, runoff coefficients, and occurred droughts and floods in different basins in Iran. Recent droughts, over-withdrawals from water resources, effects of construction of storage dams upstream, and interbasin water transfer will be investigated to better represent the magnificent role of Sepidroud dam. Investigation shows empty reservoirs of dams during drought periods may not indicate to carry over design of dams and their wastefulness.
News Storing Water in Dam Reservoirs: Why is it Necessary ?
SUMMARY The world population is growing by leaps and bounds and the impact of this growth on water resources is such that we shall need more water for drinking, agriculture, energy generation, industrial production, and so on. Moreover, lifestyle is changing all over the world and a direct impact of this trend is a very significant increase in water use. For these reasons, demand for water is steadily increasing throughout the world. However, freshwater resources are limited and unevenly distributed both in time and place. In addition to this, seasonal variations and climatic irregularities in flow lead to the inefficient use of river 1 runoff, with flooding and drought causing problems of catastrophic proportions. From the beginning of the human history, for almost 5 000 years, dams have served to ensure an adequate supply of water by storing water in times of surplus and releasing it in times of scarcity, thus also preventing or mitigating floods and making a significant contribution to the efficient management of finite water resources that are unevenly distributed and subject to large seasonal fluctuations. In the other words, the construction of dams in the concept of water resources management has always been considered as a basic requirement to harmonize the natural hydrological regime with the human needs for water and water related services. Purposes to be served by such a project usually include water supply, irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, navigation, recreation, pollution abatement, industrial use, fish and wildlife conservation and other environmental considerations, salinity and sediment control, and recharge of groundwater. To meet these purposes, a number of dams are constructed to control and regulate the natural flows. This regulation function is obviously the main reason for creating reservoirs by constructing dams.
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Pakistan and Afghanistan have planned various developmental projects on Kabul River System (KRS) with the intention to overcome water and energy deficiencies irrespective of ecological problems faced by Kabul River and socio economic complexities of each other. The objectives of this paper are to know the present uses of Kabul River and future potential of the river for construction of dams. Studies conducted during 1990-2010 revealed that the Kabul River has already been used for hydro power generation and irrigation by both the riparian countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, it has a major role in uplifting the socio-economic condition of the farmer communities. But this heavy extraction of water has also posed some negative impacts on the river’s ecology and surrounding community such as fishermen and people attached with tourism. Therefore, further construction of dams need technical hands with the idea not to bring further distortion in the environment. As per analys...
Role of Dams in the Economic Growth of Pakistan
Abstract Pakistan is located in a semiarid to arid region where rainfall is highly deficient and does not match the crop requirements. In most plain areas of the country it is less than 500 mm and is unevenly distributed over the year. As Pakistan is not an oil rich country, its economy depends on agriculture sector which accounts for about 23% of the GDP and 42% of total employed labour force. It is also the largest source of foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture of country is mostly dependent on Indus River System (IRS).
Storing Water in Dam Reservoirs: Why is it Necessary ?
SUMMARY The world population is growing by leaps and bounds and the impact of this growth on water resources is such that we shall need more water for drinking, agriculture, energy generation, industrial production, and so on. Moreover, lifestyle is changing all over the world and a direct impact of this trend is a very significant increase in water use. For these reasons, demand for water is steadily increasing throughout the world. However, freshwater resources are limited and unevenly distributed both in time and place. In addition to this, seasonal variations and climatic irregularities in flow lead to the inefficient use of river 1 runoff, with flooding and drought causing problems of catastrophic proportions. From the beginning of the human history, for almost 5 000 years, dams have served to ensure an adequate supply of water by storing water in times of surplus and releasing it in times of scarcity, thus also preventing or mitigating floods and making a significant contribution to the efficient management of finite water resources that are unevenly distributed and subject to large seasonal fluctuations. In the other words, the construction of dams in the concept of water resources management has always been considered as a basic requirement to harmonize the natural hydrological regime with the human needs for water and water related services. Purposes to be served by such a project usually include water supply, irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, navigation, recreation, pollution abatement, industrial use, fish and wildlife conservation and other environmental considerations, salinity and sediment control, and recharge of groundwater. To meet these purposes, a number of dams are constructed to control and regulate the natural flows. This regulation function is obviously the main reason for creating reservoirs by constructing dams.
Sustainable and Optimized Utilization of Water Resources : Inflatable Dams Potential in Pakistan
2016
Development of new reservoirs are utmost important for their utilization of providing water for irrigation, hydropower and flood damages reduction etc. In-addition to constructing new reservoirs, the efficient and sustainable use of existing reservoirs is also important for rapid economic growth of world. Pakistan is blessed with rich surface water resources of 180 Billion m3 annualy. However, total storage capacity of the three large dams is 17 Billion m3 which is only 10% of the available water resources. The current study identifies the latest trends for optimizing the utilization of water from reservoir to agriculture farm and their possible application to Pakistan. The paper also investigates the potential of inflatable dams in Pakistan for recharging of groundwater, as diversion weir for small hydropower plants, water supply and creating artificial lakes for recreation purposes. On the basis of criteria developed in the study, 31 sites were selected for checking their feasibil...
Journal of Xi’an Shiyou University, Natural Science Edition, 2022
In terms of area, Balochistan is a big province of Pakistan mostly dominated by an arid to semiarid climate. The people of the province are mostly dependent on agriculture and livestock and these sectors are directly affected by the scarcity of water. Zhob district of Balochistan having Sabakzai Dam (SBD) is one of the districts of Balochistan which not only receive winter rainfall from western disturbances but sometimes monsoon rains too. To fulfil the water requirement for cultivation in a semiarid climate the delay action dams are of utmost importance. Most of the people in the study area have access to the Sabakzai Dam (SBD) water for irrigation. The pre-SBD and post-SBD scenarios show that the agricultural land use has increased, and previous barren land has been brought under plough. Also helpful in rising the depleting water table of the area. This is the key to reducing poverty in the region of subsistence economy and will encourage settled life.
Pak. J. Engg. & Appl. Sci …, 2012
The water scarcity issues are increasing through out the world. Pakistan is also facing water crises and its water demands are increasing every day. During this research it is investigated that small dams are playing an important role for the sustainability of groundwater and agriculture. The main objective of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of small dam on agricultural and ground water. Proper planning and management of small dams may improve the sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. It is also concluded that small dams are significantly contributing towards economy, environment, local climate, recreational activities and crop production. Small dams can also be utilized for the production of electricity at local level. On the other hand, water management issues can be resolved by the involvement of local farmer's associations. Water losses through seepage, unlined channels and old irrigational methods are most critical in developing world. Considering the overall positive environmental impacts, construction of small dams must be promoted.