Dams and reservoirs were exposed to the strong criticism for a long time that large dams have brought serious environmental and social consequences. However, natural disaster and poverty are most serious causes for environmental destruction. Dams and reservoirs have taken the important roles for sustaining people’s life.Japan suffered catastrophic damage by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake in March 11, 2011. Just after the earthquake, dams including area next to the Tohoku region made various contributions including providing extra electric power to the regions which faced serious power shortages, using new sources to supply water to the disaster region, and through carefully planned dam operations, helping to deal with the devastation downstream of the rivers. Thus, dams provided various additional functions not among their original purposes.
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