Dam problems - Dams examples
Dams in Turkey
Dam construction in Turkey has been seen as a basis for social and economical development since the 1950's and in recent decades the rate of dam building has accelerated to meet the demands for water for irrigation and energy of a rapidly increasing population.
This is reflected in the fact that almost two-thirds of Turkey's dams are less than 20 years old. The widespread dam building in sometimes small basins has had major impacts on freshwater ecosystems. For example, the Büyük Menderes River, which gave the world the word 'meander', has now been dammed extensively and no longer runs its meandering course. By the end of 2002, 203 large dams had been completed and 96 more are currently under construction. But this is only a start, plans for a further 431 large dams are at various project stages.
The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) is the agency responsible for all types of dams. More than 70% of the dammed surface area is used for energy generation and irrigation. Flood control and water supply for domestic and industrial purposes comprise relatively minor amounts of the total surface area, each accounting for approximately 10% of the total.
Many dam building projects in Turkey appear to have strong popular support, as they are seen to bring development and prosperity, but the image of Turkish dam building to the wider world became more controversial after campaigners called attention to the environmental and social impacts of the Ilisu dam.
Although the government of Turkey strongly refutes these arguments, DSI is currently working on developing alternative projects that will have less environmental and social impacts. But despite the claims that Turkey makes over the sustainability of its dam building programme, it has until now not taken account of the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams.
A large portion of its delta was declared as a Ramsar site in 1994 and is protected under national law. The Ermenek Dam is currently under construction, with financing from a consortium of private European banks. These banks are not bound by environmental or social safeguards and in the case of Ermenek, a WWF study found that there are many shortcomings in dam planning, economic analysis, environmental impact review, and decision-making.
The project does not comply with major recommendations of the World Commission on Dams (WCD). There has been a lack of public participation, no comprehensive assessment of alternatives or an analysis of cumulative and basin wide impacts.
WWF Turkey's evaluation of the Ermenek Dam concluded with a set of recommendations, such as the development of an integral strategic EIA for the Göksu River Basin, including revisions of needs and option assessments for all water infrastructure projects and the development of an environmental management plan which incorporates environmental flows, mitigation and enhancement measures.
On a larger scale, the WWF Freshwater Programme has been working on the development of environmentally sound investment guidelines and is now opening dialogue with various European banks, using (among others) the lessons learned from the Ermenek Dam Project.
