| Summary |
Man has built dams across many rivers to perform specific functions. In most cases the intended functions have been realized, but sometimes there have been additional manifestations of water impoundment which were not anticipated at the planning stage. This thesis examines both the purposes and the effects of a water impoundment project from a geographic point of view. The extent to which man's activities in a region have been modified by the creation of a reservoir has been thoroughly examined. These activities include the effects on political administration and the distribution and characteristics of the population, agriculture, forestry, recreation, conservation, industry, trade and transportation. Kerr Reservoir was selected as a case study for this investigation owing to its expanse, length of existence, and economic development, Kerr Dam was under construction from 1946 to 1949 with the fill-up stage continuing until 1953. The period of inquiry, however, also relates to the years immediately preceding and following completion of the project (1940 - 1970), Briefly, the findings of the thesis can be summarized as follows: The establishment of Kerr Reservoir has affected local government, agricultural land use and settlement, recreational development, conservation, and trade and transportation. For example, the purchase of land for the project removed private property from the tax rolls and created an immediate loss in revenue for local government. Although only a small percentage of the region's agricultural land was incorporated into the project, many farms bordering the reservoir were fragmented and isolated by the reservoir. The necessary movement of the dislocated, agriculturally-based rural population, particularly the Negro tenant farmers has been indicated as another disruptive result. The recreational benefit of Kerr Reservoir has exceeded all expectations. Federal and state controlled recreation areas have been built providing facilities for camping, picnicking, boating, water skiing, swimming, and sightseeing. Visitors come from an ever-increasing area, including the cities of Washington, Richmond, Norfolk, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and Winston Salem. Recreation may be expected to increase since much of the shoreline is still -undeveloped. The reservoir has affected conservation programs in the Roanoke River Basin. Erosion programs in neighboring counties are being initiated to retard siltation of the reservoir. By controlling the water level the project has retarded pollution of the river below the dam. Flooding in the lower valley has been prevented by construction of Kerr Dam, thus allowing economic development in the lower Roanoke Basin to increase. The large quantities of water available for industrial use have aided the industrial development of the region, especially in textiles. The local retail trading patterns have been slightly modified by creation of the reservoir, through interruption of many local service roads. The dam produced abundant supplies of electrical energy, although the market for this power largely remains within the Roanoke Basin. Kerr Reservoir which functions as a multi-purpose reservoir thus provides an excellent example for examining the effects of water impoundment upon the landscape. |
