Compare that to the size of Staten Island in New York, which is 58 square miles. Now, imagine all of Staten Island underwater!
Dams are usually built in areas where very few people live, so Staten Island is safe. But in Thailand, where jungles and rainforests are everywhere, do you think the monkeys and spiders and snakes and tigers liked their new underwater homes? What about the fish swimming upstream, who suddenly hit their noses on a giant concrete wall and were unable to keep going? When building a dam, it’s important to consider the impact that the reservoir creates on the environment, and to think about ways to minimize this impact. How would you save the animals whose natural habitats were about to be flooded?
In addition to being a reservoir and generating electricity, dams create amazingly beautiful scenery. I was able to take a boat across the lake, and access certain parts of the National Park that I would never have seen if they were not accessible by water. So, instead of farming, which most people did in the area before the flooding occurred, people adapted to the dam's impact, and now make money by providing boat rides and tours to interesting parts of the park. During my tour, I swam in a small waterfall and ventured deep into a dark and wet cave. The dam allowed me to explore these beautiful and exotic places, and if you ever want to come explore the park, the dam will be here waiting for you!
