Despite of Lesotho having abundant water, it is still faced with freshwater challenges as the current water supply cannot meet the needs of the population. In addition, water has become the main driver of development in Lesotho as it is one of the few natural resources of economic importance hence construction of water storage dams has been identified as a development strategy. Modelling of water flow is one of the techniques used in describing the movement of water and determining flow accumulation within the catchment. Rainfall-runoff modelling in Lesotho has been based on traditional methods which only focus on the discharge at the outlet neglecting the distribution of runoff over the catchment. GIS enables modelling of spatial variability hence this study is aimed at determining flow distribution and accumulation within Phuthiatsane Catchment and estimating runoff potential in a GIS environment. In order to achieve this, ArcHydro extension of ArcGIS was used in the determination of flow distribution and subsequent catchment delineation while ArcCN-Runoff tool was used to determine the potential runoff based on land cover, soil type and amount of rainfall. The delineated catchment covers an area of 468 km2 and has an average runoff of 30.943 MCM. Suitable dam sites, volume and the areas that would be submerged were then identified using other ArcGIS tools. It was concluded that GIS can produce accurate hydrological modelling results for Phuthiatsane Catchment. Simulation of dam sites and storage capacities has also proven to be efficient in GIS environment and a 70m high dam with a storage capacity of 327.92 MCM was considered to be the most suitable. It is recommended that further research should include ground truth surveys for the validation of results. Further research should also incorporate stakeholder concerns in deciding on the location and size of a dam. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

The Mekong River is a crucial shared resource that flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Over 80 million people have traditionally depended on the river to sustain their livelihoods. However, recent large-scale dam projects present serious consequences to the environmental security of the riparian states. In particular, dam construction by upstream countries poses negative socioeconomic and environmental externalities to downstream countries. Such a dynamic has incited regional tension and set a precedent for river management along national lines rather than as a collective good. Given such circumstances, this paper investigates whether the Mekong countries can transition to a cooperative regime that prioritizes the sustainable development of the river. In particular, this paper assesses the feasibility of achieving sustainable river cooperation by (i) analyzing the conditions that enable or hinder river cooperation, and (ii) investigating the extent that bargaining and benefit-sharing strategies can promote the long-term well-being of the river. The paper finds that the lack of credible commitment to the river’s sustainable development at both the regional and domestic levels renders cooperation for Mekong sustainability unlikely at this time.

Background: Tailings dam workers are exposed to tailings dust that has a potential health risk due to the element contents in the dust. The extent of exposure of tailings dam workers is unknown. Consequently, the elements, level of exposure, the potential adverse effects to health, compliance to legislative requirements and the efficiency of the current control measures were investigated. Design and Method: During the trials, 69 personal dust samples were collected during three full production shifts from tailings dam workers in three different tailings dam environments. The field filters were weighed to calculate the total dust concentrations. Bulk samples and field filters were analysed using the 32-element and particle size distribution scans. The between-dam, between-days and between-group variances were determined to assess the changes in exposure levels. Results: The tailings dam workers were not overexposed to tailings dust. Mean exposures were below the OEL for PNOC, measuring 0,124 mg/m3 (TD 1) 0,366 mg/m3 (TD 2) and 2,956 mg/m3 (TD 3). Three outliers in the data were present in TD 3 and exceeded the action level for PNOC. A major part of the particle size distribution consisted of inhalable sizes (>I0 μm). Cyclone tailings dams have smaller particle sizes than spigot tailings dams, though 85% of the particles in all tailings dams were larger than 10 μm. Some elements identified in the dust have potential respiratory health effects. No significant differences existed between the three tailings dams regarding tailings dust concentrations (p=0,527 on 5% significant level and p=0,292 on 10% significant level). There was, however, a significant difference on a 5% significant level between the days (p=0,003 and p=0,006). The workers on the cyclone tailings dams had smaller exposures than workers on the spigot tailings dams, and the pipeline labourers were more exposed than the mudguards. The tailings dams did comply with legislative control measures. However, washing facilities for the cleaning of overalls due to elements in the dust, such as nickel, chromium and manganese need to be considered. Workers need to be educated in work practices and procedures, personal hygiene and symptoms that can be experienced after exposure. Engineering control measures such as water sprayers covering the entire tailings dam, the use of fixed or temporary windscreens in the area where work is done and covering of the roads on the tailings dam with gravel or water spray can be considered as dust suppressant controls. Conclusion: The study met the issues set out in chapter 1, hypotheses were rejected and accepted and future studies were suggested. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Occupational Hygiene))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Canada is the second highest producer of hydroelectric energy in the world. Nearly 50 of the hydroelectric reservoirs in the country have a capacity larger than 1 billion m3. Despite the great number and extent of hydropower developments in Canada and around the world, relatively little is known about how dams and their operations influence terrestrial and semi-aquatic wildlife. Reservoirs at northern latitudes are characterized by large fluctuations in water level, which create modified shorelines called drawdown zones. To evaluate the impact of these disturbances on amphibians and reptiles, I conducted visual encounter surveys at two sites in the drawdown zone of Kinbasket Reservoir, near Valemount, B.C. From April to August of 2010 and 2011, I documented the habitat use, reproductive phenology, and body condition of two amphibian species (Anaxyrus boreas and Rana luteiventris) as well as the growth, movements, diet, and distribution of one species of garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). At two sites in the drawdown zone, A. boreas and R. luteiventris were present for the duration of the summer and utilized several ponds for reproduction. The presence and abundance of Rana luteiventris eggs were generally associated with ponds that had higher mean temperatures, higher mean pH, and the presence of fish. In 2010, there was sufficient time for amphibian breeding and metamorphosis to occur before the reservoir inundated the drawdown zone, but low precipitation levels in that year led to desiccation of many breeding ponds. In 2011, high rainfall and snowmelt led to early inundation of breeding ponds, and thousands of tadpoles were presumably swept into the reservoir. Gravid Thamnophis sirtalis were found at just one of two sites in the drawdown zone, but both sites were frequented by foraging individuals of this species. Anaxyrus boreas appears to be the primary prey of T. sirtalis in the drawdown zone. An improved understanding of how the amphibians and reptiles at Kinbasket Reservoir have persisted in this highly disturbed environment may be vital to their conservation — the activation of a new generating unit at Mica Dam in 2014 will alter the pattern and timing of reservoir inundation for the first time since it was constructed 40 years previously. / Graduate

This study is an assessment of a hydraulic solution not only rescues Hasankeyf with countless ancient monuments from inundation but also supplies the foreseen energy production of the Ilisu Dam and HEPP Project. An alternative composed of five dams on the Tigris River and its branches was developed as a result of the conducted hydro-meteorological, water potential, flood analysis and optimization studies considering the topographical and geological characteristics of the proposed dam locations. While there is a 27 percent decrease in the overall reservoir area compared to the existing project, 4426.1 hm3 of water can be stored in these dams with a fill volume of 14.8 hm3. Over this storage, determined according to the maximum water levels designated by considering the upstream schemes developed by General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI), General Directorate of Electrical Power Resources Survey and Development Administration (EIE) and incorporated companies according to Law No.4628, a volume of 3634.4 hm3 can be used as active storage. In the fully developed upstream stage, according to the conducted consecutive operation studies, while the existing project has an energy production capacity of 3094.3 GWh/year, the proposed project is capable of providing 3139.1 GWh/year with a smaller installed power although there is a slight decrease in the produced firm energy.

Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-79).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Nov. 21, 2008). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.App.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-175). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1936. / Without thesis note. Bibliography: p. 151-164.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-100).