Large Dams: How to deal with historical impacts? Subtitle Margriet Hartman‐ Royal Haskoning Date Ulysses Hammond – VRA, Ghana International Water Week, Amsterdam, 2 November 2011 Lessons learned 1. Strict monitoring of impacts and measures 2. Social issues are very complex and persistent 3. Collaborate with stakeholders and communities 4. Find balance in interlaced aspects of dams Contents 1. Akosombo and Kpong Dams in Ghana 2. Predicted impacts 3. Actual impacts 4. Measures Akosombo Dam constructed in 1966 141 m height; 1020 MW 8,900 km2 reservoir Kpong Dam constructed in 1982 18 m height; 148 MW run-of-the-river Volta River Project Preparatory Commission (1956) 1. An area of 3,500 square miles would be inundated 2. The pattern of flow of the river between the dam site and the sea would be changed 3. The new lake would create problems of health and sanitation 4. Agriculture, forests and fisheries would be affected in various ways. Altered flow pattern in Kpong Head Pond and Lower Volta River Existence impact impact Downstream Operation Impoundment of valley creating Volta Lake and Kpong Head Pond impact Fluctuations in water level of Volta Lake impact Upstream Actual direct impacts Blocking of migratory impact species Reduced sediment load in Kpong Head Pond and Lower Volta River Resettlement & migration - siltation - aquatic weeds - fisheries and aqua-culture 0 12Dec2008 13Dec2006 13Dec2004 14Dec2002 14Dec2000 15Dec1998 15Dec1996 16Dec1994 16Dec1992 17Dec1990 17Dec1988 18Dec1986 18Dec1984 19Dec1982 19Dec1980 20Dec1978 20Dec1976 21Dec1974 21Dec1972 22Dec1970 22Dec1968 23Dec1966 23Dec1964 24Dec1962 24Dec1960 25Dec1958 25Dec1956 26Dec1954 26Dec1952 27Dec1950 27Dec1948 28Dec1946 28Dec1944 29Dec1942 29Dec1940 30Dec1938 30Dec1936 31Dec1934 31Dec1932 01Jan1931 Downstream Volta River at Senchi‐AkosomboGS ‐ Total Average Daily Flow (m3/s) 1931 ‐ 2008 20000 19000 18000 17000 16000 15000 14000 13000 12000 11000 10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 Measures 1. Only for impacts that are actual and still affecting communities and ecology 2. Only directly related to dams 3. Monitoring improvement 4. VRA more in coordinating role with stakeholders and communities Compensation Measures Community Development Programme • • • • All communities, not only resettlement Own project ideas and implementation District Assemblies take their role Pilot Mitigation Measures 1. Improvement of electricity generation 2. Settlement of outstanding social issues Monitoring Measures 1. Siltation rate 2. Effectiveness dredging operation - dredging of estuary -monitoring of effectiveness Way forward 1. Strict assessment of trends in impact and 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. measures Optimise benefits of dams Keep clear roles of institutions in implementation of measures Take social issues seriously Integrated approach of dams in regional development ‘Small dams’ Royal Haskoning & VRA Ghana Margriet Hartman & Ulysses Hammond [email protected] +31 6 51069234