Zurmukht'i River Dam
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:18 pm
The Zurmukht’i Dam: Marvel or Tragedy?
September 4917
Tonight on Documentary Hobrazia, we examine the proposed Zurmukht’i Dam, which the Hobrazian Development Corporation plans to build in Muzalkaz, just across the border from Luthori. Kote Avaliani, the HDC’s Project Director for the dam, recently reported that the Corporation had filed for a construction permit and has already commissioned the Mts’vane Environmental Group to conduct an environmental impact study. While the proposed dam’s size – it would be Hobrazia’s largest geo-engineering project – requires a lengthy and extensive permitting process, the national government has spoken openly in favor of the project and is expected to be supportive. Minister of the Environment Kathryn Atanshvili has called the dam “promising” and indicated that she would likely recommend that the permit be granted.
Yet despite enthusiasm from the Hobrazian Development Corporation and the government, the dam has attracted considerable controversy, with some saying the dam would threaten environmental and human stability. Tonight we’ll be exploring both the planned dam and the debate around it, empowering you the viewer to decide: would the dam be a marvel – or a tragedy?
Artist’s rendition of the Zurmkukht’i Dam
The Plan
The Zurmukht’i River, Hobrazia’s largest navigable waterway, flows from the Arszan Mountains in Zargundia through Muzalkaz before turning North into Luthori’s Middenriding province and emptying into the Bay of Luthor. Arszan limestone imparts a rich and startlingly deep green color, giving the river its name and establishing it as one of Hobrazia’s national treasures.
The Zurmukht’i Dam, as envisioned by chief architect Narich Shokalovy, would be the country’s largest geo-engineering project. Positioned just across the Luthorian border in Muzalkaz, the dam would stand 270 meters high and generate an estimated 4.5 TWh – almost a quarter of Hobrazia’s national energy needs. In addition, the dam would create tourism opportunities: the resulting reservoir may become a popular spot for recreation, invigorating northern Muzalkaz economically and culturally.
The planned dam site
The dam will be built by the Hobrazian Development Corporation, which oversees most of the country’s public works projects and has dominated the national economy ever since it was created by the Traditionalist Party government. Real estate mogul and HDC executive Kote Avaliani is in charge of bringing the project to fruition. Although the task at hand is massive, Avaliani believes that HDC is “up to the challenge.”
The Road to Completion
First, the Hobrazian Development Corporation must obtain government permission for the dam’s construction. Although several public officials have endorsed the plan, the established legal process calls for extensive environmental and public opinion research. Before getting the green light, Avaliani must demonstrate that the dam will not devastate the environment, that it will enjoy public support, and that HDC is capable of building and operating the structure.
An environmental study is being conducted by Mts’vane Environmental Group (MEG), which hopes to fully explore the ecological ramifications of the dam by 4920. Mts’vane will study the effects the dam’s reservoir would have on Hobrazia, the potential damage – if any – to Luthori’s water supply, and the impact on fish populations. The study will also analyze the probability of dam failure and the possible outcomes of such a catastrophe. MEG was selected by HDC through a sole source contract, which some have criticized as evidence of corruption – Mts’vane is owned by chief environmental engineer Tsut'e Sihazhok, brother-in-law of HDC CEO Albina Zhdokovy. However, the Corporation has defended their choice, saying that Mts’vane is the only Hobrazian company capable of fulfilling the project requirements.
After the environmental study is completed, the government must allow at least 3 years for public comments on the dam. Although the public will not directly vote on the dam’s construction, public opinion will be taken into consideration by the Ministry of the Environment when issuing a decision. Due to the potentially international nature of the dam’s construction, Minister Kathryn Atanshvili has made the unprecedented announcement that comments from foreign citizens, governments, and businesses will also be considered.
Finally, Avaliani will need to demonstrate that the Hobrazian Development Corporation possesses the physical, technical, and financial resources needed to build and maintain the dam. Physical equipment will be the least difficult hurdle, as the Corporation already possesses an extensive collection of heavy construction equipment, and will be able to secure new equipment without too much trouble. Technical knowledge is expected to be provided primarily by Hobrazian engineers, with some consultation from more experienced engineers from Endralon. HDC’s existing relationship with Lourennaise and Lodamese green energy companies is expected to come into play, and the Corporation may seek a larger suite of advisors.
The dam is expected to cost approximately 300 million Hobrazian crowns. Although the Corporation does not have such a sum in reserves, Avaliani has already secured preliminary loan offers from the Hobrazian government, the Bank of Astoria, and the Endralonian banks Open Banking Sectors and Financial Bank of Liberty.
Controversy
Although Hobrazian government and business leaders are supportive of the endeavor, the Zurmukht’i dam does not enjoy universal support. Strict environmentalists, far from being happy about a shift to renewable energy, have criticized the dam for altering the riparian ecosystem in Hobrazia and Luthori. Wildlife Zargundia, the nation’s largest conservation organization, has suggested that the dam could have an “unpredictable” impact on flora and fauna in the region.
Luthorian farmers and environmentalists fear that the dam could impact southern Luthori’s water table. Most obviously, reduced water levels could cause drought or raise agricultural costs. Farmers are also concerned that blocking the flow of sediment from the resource-rich Arszan mountains could impair soil quality, and others point out that dams elsewhere in Terra have led to increased concentrations of mercury and heavy metals.
The human cost of the dam has also attracted criticism. The small Hobrazian village of Roslabna, which lies in the valley designated for the dam, would be displaced by the dam’s reservoir. Although the 200-odd villagers protested the plans, the Hobrazian Development Corporation has responded that the proposed site is the only place suitable for dam construction.
The Luthori-based new religious movement Path to Paradise’s Gates has also raised concerns about the dam on religious grounds. The religion prizes flowing rivers, which are essential to the group’s baptism rituals. Although most followers reside in Luthori, a growing community in Hobrazia – estimated to be 10-20,000 strong – has vigorously protested the dam’s construction.
The most significant source of opposition to the dam lies in the fear that a dam breakage could endanger the lives and property of Luthorians downriver. Avaliani has directly addressed this concern, stating that the dam’s construction would be of such a high quality that failure would be almost an impossibility. Still, many have speculated that a dam failure could cause catastrophic loss of life. Luthorian engineer Marshall Robinson has become a prominent opponent to the dam, claiming that the proposed size would create “significant” risks and that the Hobrazian Development Corporation lacks the experience and skill necessary to maintain the dam. A video by Robinson has circulated widely on Luthori’s social media, stoking fears among the public.
The Path Forward
The Zurmukht’i River
While the Hobrazian Development Corporation promises that the dam will be a symbol of national pride and provide clean energy for millions, opponents believe that the dam creates risks to ecological integrity, agriculture, and human lives. Although reasonable points can be made on both sides, one thing is certain: this project will represent a massive effort to establish Hobrazia as a modern nation capable of significant engineering feats.