Question
Engineers build dams to control the water in a river or generate renewable energy. A dam blocks the natural flow of the river, which causes water to store above the dam and create a lake. The water can be released from the dam if the engineer opens the gates that block the water. A diagram of a dam is shown below.
How could the dam negatively impact the surrounding environment?
A.
The number of plants that live in the ecosystem below the dam could decrease because there is too much water.
B.
New species of fish could move into the ecosystem below the dam and compete for food supplies.
C.
Small streams below the dam could dry up and cause a drought in the river ecosystem.
D.
The ecosystem below the dam could have an increase in rainfall, which could cause flooding.
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How could the dam negatively impact the surrounding environment?
A.
The number of plants that live in the ecosystem below the dam could decrease because there is too much water.
B.
New species of fish could move into the ecosystem below the dam and compete for food supplies.
C.
Small streams below the dam could dry up and cause a drought in the river ecosystem.
D.
The ecosystem below the dam could have an increase in rainfall, which could cause flooding.
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Answers
GPT-4o mini
The most accurate choice that reflects how a dam could negatively impact the surrounding environment is:
**C. Small streams below the dam could dry up and cause a drought in the river ecosystem.**
Dams can alter the natural flow of a river, leading to reduced water flow in downstream areas. This can dry up small streams and disrupt the natural water cycle, potentially causing drought conditions in the ecosystem below the dam.
While other choices can have various impacts, option C directly addresses a significant environmental consequence of dam construction.
**C. Small streams below the dam could dry up and cause a drought in the river ecosystem.**
Dams can alter the natural flow of a river, leading to reduced water flow in downstream areas. This can dry up small streams and disrupt the natural water cycle, potentially causing drought conditions in the ecosystem below the dam.
While other choices can have various impacts, option C directly addresses a significant environmental consequence of dam construction.