I read with great interest your feature on dam construction in South America, "Two Jobs Not for the Faint of Heart" (ENR 8/19 p. 30). Certainly these are very exciting and difficult projects. As a "construction person," I, like most of my peers, really enjoy seeing great projects. But having traveled and rafted in this wonderful region it is difficult to weigh the excitement of these projects with the loss taking place. The BioBio is one of the most spectacular river running locations in the world and Chile is seeking to dam it, much like the Futalafu River, considered by many to be the greatest river running location on the planet. If dams are erected, these tremendous resources will be lost forever.