Role of Large Dams in the Socio-economic Development of Mexico

In Mexico, 473 km 3 of water is renewed annually, of which 198.4 km 3 is abstracted by the productive sectors and for domestic purposes. Such figures, however, give a false sense of water abundance, because its spatial and temporal distribution is not homogeneous. In order to cope with this mismatch, numerous water-retaining structures have been constructed. Certainly, dams have been a key element to balance the spatial and the temporal variations in the water availability, and they have played a crucial role in the socio-economic development of Mexico. However, the benefits could be more if water management practices were more efficient, equitable and modern. This paper focuses specifically on dam development in Mexico, and it points out that, unquestionably, large dams have had direct, negative impacts. However, it should be noted that many of those negative impacts are the results of inefficient planning, inadequate expertise and improper management. Dams, like any other major infrastructures, have economic, environmental and social benefits and costs. Accordingly, the dams must be properly planned, built and managed with the best scientific and technical knowledge available. The real question for Mexico is not whether dams should be constructed or not, but rather how should the dams be planned and managed so that the economic, social and environmental benefits to the society as a whole can be maximized and the costs can be minimized.