Advantages of Dam Release Method (Essay Sample)

Although some may think that the blow and go method is the best method for dam removal because it gets rid of all the built-up sediment along the dam I disagree. I disagree because after going through the dam and making observations,  I believe that the best option for dam removal is the stage release method.

The stage release method is the better method because it leaves a habitat for the fish and minimizes the damage to their ecosystem. If we look at the data collected from the labs above we can see that the blow and go method collected a lot more of the extra sediment compared to the stage releases method, with it collecting about 250 ML but that didn’t happen in a few seconds of minute it happened quite in on blow/go. With that being said,  If the blow and go method is used it could ruin the fish's habitat and bury it unlike when we used the stage release method. Unlike the blow and go method the stage release method moved the sediment more slowly and collected it into the net fairly slowly, with the collected amount of sediment being 50 ML. The stage release method also allowed the sediment to reach and settle at the lower parts of the dam.

In addition to this method, the stage release was much better in comparison to the blow and go if we’re measuring the sand below the dam. The reason for this is that the blow-and-go dam's sediment/sand was left somewhat unevenly distributed out and with little to no sand left at points F, G, and H. This can be seen in the data listed with the measurements of the sand depth, listed and found to be 11mm, 16mm, and 12mm. While on the other hand, the stage release method had more consistent results in the depth of the sand, with it ranging from 50-100mm. I suppose this was the result of slowly taking the dam apart and letting the sand and water settle in the lower half of the dam.

Lastly, the stage releases method had a much stronger terrace compared to the blow and go one which makes it a much better removal method. Although this method only had one terrace unlike the blow and go method with 3,  it held up much better than the blow and go terraces because while we were conducting the blow and go lab, the terraces made up of the sand/sediment was not as compacted or as settled together compared to the stage release method. Furthermore, if we think more realistically the stage release terrace made from the sediment would help prevent any drastic changes to the environment around the river/dam because it acts as a barrier/blocks water from overflowing from the change in water movement that is draining.