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.
Small streams below the dam could dry up and cause a drought in the river ecosystem.
B.
The ecosystem below the dam could have an increase in rainfall, which could cause flooding.
C.
New species of fish could move into the ecosystem below the dam and compete for food supplies.
D.
The number of plants that live in the ecosystem below the dam could decrease because there is too much water.
How could the dam negatively impact the surrounding environment?
A.
Small streams below the dam could dry up and cause a drought in the river ecosystem.
B.
The ecosystem below the dam could have an increase in rainfall, which could cause flooding.
C.
New species of fish could move into the ecosystem below the dam and compete for food supplies.
D.
The number of plants that live in the ecosystem below the dam could decrease because there is too much water.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
A. Small streams below the dam could dry up and cause a drought in the river ecosystem.
This option highlights a significant negative impact of dams on the surrounding environment. When a dam is built, it alters the natural flow of the river, which can lead to decreased water levels in smaller streams and tributaries downstream. This reduction in water can negatively affect the local ecosystem, leading to drought conditions that threaten the survival of plants and animals that depend on those water sources.
This option highlights a significant negative impact of dams on the surrounding environment. When a dam is built, it alters the natural flow of the river, which can lead to decreased water levels in smaller streams and tributaries downstream. This reduction in water can negatively affect the local ecosystem, leading to drought conditions that threaten the survival of plants and animals that depend on those water sources.