Water diversion projects include the construction of dams, levees, pumping stations, irrigation canals, or any other manmade structure that modifies the natural flow of a waterway. Diversion projects may be developed for purposes of hydroelectric power generation, farm irrigation, consumer and industrial water supply, and flood control. Throughout human history, communities have altered river systems for their own advantage. There is evidence that large-scale projects dating over 2000 years ago existed in China, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

Water Diversion Globally

In the early twenty-first century, water is one of the commodities deemed most important to the well-being of nations. As of 2002, the world population of 5.6 billion is growing at an annual rate of approximately 90 million, and the global demand for water is expected to rise by 2–3% annually in the decades to come.

Globally, of the more than 45,000 large dams ([49.2 ft; 15 m] or more...