World Rivers Review, Vol. 21, No. 1/2 - February/April 2006

Cover Story: World Bank Financed Dam Draining Lake Victoria in East Afrca

A new report by a Kenya-based independent hydrologic engineer confirms that over-releases from two hydropower dams on the Nile in Uganda are a primary cause of severe drops in Lake Victoria in recent years. The report finds that about 55% of the lake’s recent drop is due to the Owen Falls dams (now known as Nalubaale and Kiira dams) releasing excessive amounts of water from the huge lake. Lake Victoria’s natural control at Ripon Falls was removed for construction of the first dam in the 1950s. The second dam was built with World Bank funding in the 1990s.

• Download the full February/April 2006 issue

What's Inside:

• Commentary: It's technically possible, affordable and achievable to bring safe water to all who need it, but to get there we need a revolution water management.
• WCD: A report on an International Rivers-sponsored conference to discuss the World Commission on Dams' fifth anniversary.
• Cameroon: Trying to get public access to an EIA for a proposed dam takes patience. 
• Sudan: An independent analysis of environmental studies for Africa’s largest hydropower project reveals serious environmental impacts, and inadequate analysis by the project managers.
• Voices from the Frontline: Asian activists speak out.
• Book Excerpt: A geologist explains the consequences of reshaping rivers.
• Laos: Talking with the forgotten people of the Boloven Plateau, who were displaced by the Houay Ho Dam.
• In Print: New resources of note.
• NGO Profile: "Living Lakes" brings together lake protectors from around the globe.