On web-sites www.irn.org you can find many of further materials as far as considered, planned or built dams all over the world are concerned. Anyway, the organisation following all these activities, is settled in America. So, planned dams in Czech Republic, such as in Nové Heřminovy or Vilémov, are not of their interest. On the other hand, we find the information about planned dam-constructions in Borneo-island, many considered dams in China, in Chile, on Bio-Bio river and others. Recently, there was announced no mention about planned dam on Tara-river, a pearl of Balkan-rivers in Montenegro. It is not clear, how the decision about dam-pier construction in limestone canyon Tara-river will be terminated. Similar situation is , as far as planned dam on Južnoj Bug-river in Ucraine is concerned.

These are - for us, at least - quite far destinations. However, there appear the ideas to bar beautiful rivers with piers in mountain valleys in Austria. According Kanutmagazine, there are mentioned, in so called „Death-survey“ (Todesliste) rivers in  following localities, such as: Otztaler Ache, Venter Ache, Defereggenbach, Kalserbach, Pitzbach, Kelschauer Ache, Koppentraum or Rosana. In Austria, there are planned for construction more than 60 dam-piers, in order to gain pure energy.

So, Otz-Valley could be completely built with dams, in such way this place could be more attractive for tourist traffic! A critical situation was especially along Kelschauer Ache. Anyway, in 1989, local council expressed their negative standpoint to this matter. Despite of this, new building intention is being discussed again. Similar situation is in case of Defereggenbach and Taurach. As to nuclear energy, the Austrians resist and refuse this source of energy. So, no other solution is available, as that to rely on the other sources of energy. In  case of Austria, water energy is the nearest one. Lovers of wild rivers are afraid of a fact that most of interesting river-sections will be boarded with dam-constructions. Thanks to watermen, there was not worked in operation  the powewr station on Kalserbach.

The fact that a dam on Lao Min river in Vietnam is being built, is one of interest news for us only. But, frankly speaking, can we say - as watermen -  take it easy, it does not concern us?

Text: Vojta Jančar

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