Belo Monte dam’s water demands imperil Amazon communities, environment
by Tiffany Higgins on 16 December 2020
Norte Energia, the builder and operator of the controversial Belo Monte mega-dam is pushing for implementation of a much disputed “consensus hydrogram” a plan to annually manipulate water releases into the Xingu River’s Volta Grande (Big Bend), with estimated peak April releases ranging from a mere 4,000 – 8,000 m3/s.
Noting that April average historical river flows in the Volta Grande before the dam was built were 19,985 m3/s, analysts say this dearth of water flow will prevent and imperil annual fish reproduction. One Volta Grande expert estimates that, using the so-called consensus hydrogram plan, at least 80% of Volta Grande fish will die.
By Reuters Staff
1 Min Read
SAO PAULO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Brazil environmental regulator Ibama will carry out additional analysis of studies delivered by energy producer Norte Energia regarding the impact of its massive Belo Monte hydroelectric plant, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement came after Reuters revealed last week that shareholders in Norte Energia, including Eletrobras, Cemig and Neoenergia SA, were concerned about limits the regulator was studying to require a higher rate of water flow at the dam, citing impacts to the environment and local indigenous communities.
Reporting by Luciano Costa; Writing by Gram Slattery; Editing by Chris Reese
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