A dam is a structure built across a valley or river to store water. It serves to prevent soil erosion during heavy rains and floods, supply water during droughts, and regulate the river's water level.
The South Korean government began building dams across the country in the 1960s. The goal was to construct new facilities on land devastated by the Korean War and to develop the economy. The Soyang River Dam, located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, began construction in 1967 and was completed in 1973.
It is 530m long, 123m high, and can store a maximum of 2.9 billion tons of water. Each year, it supplies 1.2 billion tons of water to the Seoul metropolitan area and generates 353 GWh of electricity through its integrated power plant. This is enough electricity to comfortably power 100,000 households for a year, accounting for about 30% of South Korea's total hydroelectric power generation.
Thanks to the Soyang River Dam, the Seoul metropolitan area gained an abundant water supply and could more easily overcome floods and droughts. However, the artificial blocking and storing of water submerged an adjacent area of 50.2km². Approximately 18,000 people had to leave their hometowns and were forcibly relocated.
The impounded water in the dam negatively affects the aquatic and surrounding ecosystems and can also cause water pollution. As the facility ages, the risk of collapse also increases. Although the Soyang River Dam is still in good condition and can be operated for several more decades, some argue that its operational lifespan should be determined by considering the costs of maintenance and repairs, as well as the environmental damage it inflicts.
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Children's Science Donga, October 1, [This Month in Science History] Abundant Water vs. Environmental Destruction?! The Completion of the Soyang River Dam
