Dams have been built with the intention to improve human quality of life by diverting water for power, navigation, and flood control, but have also resulted in human health concerns and environmental problems.
Dams benefit people by providing usable, reliable water sources.
In the once swampy San Joaquin Valley, Calif., they have created an area that now provides a quarter of America s food supply. However, dam projects can produce greenhouse gases by flooding areas and increasing the rate of decomposition, emitting carbon dioxide and methane. The one thing that remains clear is that the need for energy and water will not go away. Our publications are not copyrighted and may be reproduced without permission. However, we do ask that credit be given to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences , National Institutes of Health .