Dam...or Damn? The Future of Dam Building

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The Future of Dam-Building
 
Minden, Nev. – In these awakening times of drought in the west the subject of water storage has surfaced in discussions such as the Governor’s Drought Forum. With El Nino projections looming the topic of flood protection is on the minds of forward thinking individuals and municipalities. It is odd to fathom both floods and drought simultaneously but that is Nevada reality. And as energy consciousness heightens and publics opt for more environmentally friendly alternatives, hydropower is scrutinized. A common denominator to water storage, flood control, and hydropower is dams. What is their future and has their time come and gone? In 1995, then commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, Daniel Beard predicted “we no longer can count on public or political support for construction projects [dams]…the opportunity for any further projects are extremely remote, if nonexistent.” Dr. Beard admits today, however, in his book Deadbeat Dams that this prediction was wrong as “there have been renewed calls for the construction of large dams and pipeline projects throughout the United States.” So what are equitable solutions to our insatiable need for water?
 
The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and GreenACTnv (non-profit) have partnered to offer a provocative program, Movie and a Speaker, Wednesday, October 21, 6:00pm at the CVIC Hall in Minden to bring attention to the subjects of water policy and management. Damnation is an award winning film exploring the change in our national attitude towards big dams and the protection and restoration of wild river systems. Following the movie, Dan Beard will speak about his vast experience in water and discuss his views on the future. Dan will also have his book available for purchase.
 
No registration is required and there is no charge to attend but donations to GreenACTnv are greatly appreciated. Plan to arrive at the CVIC Hall by 6:00pm on Wednesday, October 21 to see the film Damnation and hear from the author of Deadbeat Dams, Dr. Dan Beard. Refreshments will be provided. Please contact Steve Lewis, Extension Educator with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension at 782-9960 for further information.