A Forest in Peril

Hydropower

The Lake Arenal Dam was built to provide hydroelectric power to Costa Rica in 1979. This was the first hydro-electric project in Costa Rica and marked the beginning of Costa Rica’s rapid growth. The dam project brought thousands of people to the area and introduced tourism to the country. Lake Arenal was tripled in size with the construction of the Arenal dam. When the Arenal Dam was being built plans for expanding the lake meant that the towns of Arenal and Tonadora needed to be relocated. People from around the area came in to help relocate the residents of these towns in to newly established areas. People also came together to help rescue and relocate animals before the lake was expanded. This hydroelectric project is hugely important to Costa Rica, initially generating 70% of the country’s electricity, now closer to 17% because of the addition of other hydroelectric dams. It was also a driving force behind Costa Rica’s green energy policy.

Nicole Wasson spent some time in Costa RIca in 2014. There she was taught about self sustainability and Costa Rica’s rich enviornment. She aims to create an awareness in each in the hopes of preserving the biodiversity in Costa Rica and ending the destruction.

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