Muddy Waters: Impacts of Damming the Amazon's Principal Tributary

By: 
Glenn Switkes
Date: 
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Muddy Waters: Impacts of Damming the Amazon's Principal Tributary examines the Madeira River Hydroelectric and Waterway Complex in the Brazilian Amazon. With articles on the history of the project, hydrology and sedimentation, fish and fisheries, mercury, and socio-economic issues, the 240-pp. book published in Portuguese is an important tool for communities, activists, journalists, and others, including public officials to deepen their understanding of key issues affecting the project, as well as potential implications of building the dams.

The authors include specialists in their field, and also draws from a host of independent opinions which question the project's viability. Muddy Waters also includes key documents including declarations by social movements and letters to officials from the campaign to protect the Madeira River.