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Quiz yourself on Water Resource ManagementGet your flashcardsBuild my revision planTrack my progress⚖️ Large-Scale vs Small-Scale Water Management — The Exam Comparison
| Factor | Large-Scale (Three Gorges Dam) | Small-Scale (Sand Dams / Fog Catchers) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~$25 billion; requires government/foreign finance | $500-$15,000; affordable at community level |
| Population served | Electricity for ~100 million; flood protection for millions downstream | Hundreds to a few thousand people per scheme |
| Displacement | 1.2 million people displaced | None — no flooding of land |
| Environmental impact | Major: biodiversity loss, sediment trapping, landslides, river delta erosion | Minimal: passive collection, no rivers blocked |
| Community ownership | State-owned; communities have limited input | Community-built and managed; strong local ownership |
| Reliability | High — consistent output regardless of season | Variable — fog catchers need coastal fog; sand dams need seasonal rivers |
| Scalability | Can address national-level water and energy needs | Cannot supply cities or large-scale agriculture |
| Speed of impact | Years/decades to plan and build | Weeks to months to implement |
| Best suited for | National energy/flood/water challenges in large countries | Remote rural communities in LICs needing immediate improvement |
A Level 3 exam answer would conclude: both approaches have an important role — large-scale schemes address national challenges but carry high social and environmental costs; small-scale solutions are more sustainable and equitable for local communities. The question is not which is "better" in general but which is appropriate for the specific context.
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