LOCATION
The Belo Monte Dam is a hydroelectric dam complex under construction in Brazil. Once completed, it will be the third largest dam in the world.
The Belo Monte Dam is currently being constructed on the Xingu River, a southeast tributary of the Amazon river, in north Brazil. A dam is always built across the narrowest part of the river to save construction costs. As shown in the map, the turbines are placed upstream to ensure there will be enough force of the water against the turbines to generate enough electricity for the national grid. Due to the dam, the normal flow of the river around the tribe's land would be reduced, casuing severe problems of drought and the river becoming dried up. This would be a major threat to the thousands of rainforest animals and the indigenous people who depend on the river for water, food and business. The fact the dam has to be constructed on the narrowest section of the river worsens the situation; the narrow rivers will be more easily dried up than wider areas.