War and Waterways: Military Environmental Change in Canada during the Second World War

War and Waterways examines the impact of World War II military activities on Canada's waterways and natural environment. The book focuses on hydroelectric power development, industrial expansion, and resource extraction that transformed Canadian landscapes during the wartime period. The narrative tracks how military demands reshaped rivers, forests, and watersheds across multiple regions of Canada between 1939-1945. Through case studies of specific sites and projects, the book documents the rapid environmental changes that occurred as Canada mobilized its natural resources for the war effort. The research draws on government records, military documents, environmental data, and local histories to reconstruct these wartime transformations. Technical details about dams, industrial facilities, and resource management programs are balanced with broader historical context about Canada's role in WWII. This work contributes to understanding how military conflicts can drive profound environmental change, while highlighting tensions between industrial development and ecological preservation. The book raises questions about the lasting environmental legacies of wartime mobilization that continue to shape Canadian landscapes today.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Matthew Evenden's overall work: Readers consistently highlight Evenden's detailed research and ability to present complex environmental history in an accessible way. Reviews note his balanced treatment of competing interests between industry, government, and environmental concerns. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of technical concepts without oversimplification - Integration of historical documents and data - Balanced perspective on environmental conflicts - Strong focus on Canadian water resource history What readers disliked: - Academic writing style can be dense - Some sections heavy on policy details - Limited coverage of Indigenous perspectives - High textbook prices Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Fish versus Power - 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Allied Power - 4.5/5 (6 ratings) The River Returns - 3.8/5 (5 ratings) Amazon: Averages 4.0/5 across titles but very few reviews One academic reviewer noted: "Evenden excels at showing how technological choices shaped environmental outcomes." Another commented: "The research depth is impressive but the writing could be more engaging for non-specialist readers."

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🌲 Many of Canada's hydroelectric projects during WWII were built specifically to power aluminum production for Allied aircraft, transforming remote wilderness areas into industrial zones. ⚡ The Shipshaw power project in Quebec was, at the time of its completion in 1943, one of the largest hydroelectric developments in North America, built in record time to support the war effort. 🗺️ Author Matthew Evenden is a Professor of Geography at the University of British Columbia and has dedicated much of his research to studying the environmental history of rivers and water resources in Canada. 🏭 The book reveals how wartime industrial development permanently altered Canada's waterways and watersheds, creating lasting environmental impacts that extended well beyond the war years. 🛩️ The demand for aluminum during WWII was so intense that Canada's aluminum production increased by 600% between 1939 and 1945, requiring massive new hydroelectric developments.