Abstract :
The future of dam building, for whatever purposes, may be affected by the work of the World Commission on Dams (WCD). Publication in November 2000 of the commission\´s report, "Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision Making", has been widely regarded as a milestone in the evolution of dams as an option for resource development. This article describes the origin and work of the WCD, its findings, observations, conclusions, reactions to the report, implementation of its guidelines, and continuing activities after the demise of the commission in November 2000.
