Impacts of Rivers (Evangel)

How do rivers affect people?

Positive Impact Of  Rivers:

Water supply for farming
Rivers are an important source of water for growing crops such as rice and vegetables.

Fertile soil for farming
The sediments deposited on the banks of the rivers increase the fertility of soil and hence the farmers want to cultivate along the river course despite flooding.

Water supply for industry
In industries, water is used for various purposes such as for manufacturing of food products or for cooling machines to prevent overheating.

Recreation and tourism
Rivers are also used for various recreational activities like rafting, canoeing and fishing. Many hotels andresorts are built alongside rivers to attract tourist.

Source of drinking water and food
Rivers are a source of drinking water and food. In places, where water pipes are not built, people depend on rivers for water. Rivers are also rich source of prawns and fish. For example, the mekong river supplies fish to more than 73 million people living along the river.

Production of hydroelectric power
To produce hydroelectricity, dams and turines are built on rivers, especially in the narrow, steep-sided valleys of hills and mountains. Dams trap large amounts of river water, which are stored in the reservoirs built along with the dams. The water is then released onto big turbines. The force of the falling water rotates the turbines rapidly to produce electricity.

Means of transport
Rivers can serve as a means of transport where it is difficult to travel on land. Water taxis, boats and ships transport people or goods from one place to another.

Negative Impact Of Rivers

Flooding
Flooding occurs when the waer in a river overflows its banks. Floods can take lives and cause serious damage to property and crops. A river floods easily when it carries a lot of sediments. As the sediments are deposited along the course, the river bad is raised. This causes the water level of the river to rise. Hence, whenever it rains heavily, the river overflows its banks and floods the surrounding lands.

Evangel