Ep 2. World's Greatest Waterworks

In season 9 episode 2 of Impossible Engineering, viewers are taken on a journey to explore some of the world's greatest waterworks. The episode showcases a wide range of ingenious engineering solutions employed to harness the power and utility of water for human use.

As the episode begins, viewers are introduced to the grandeur of an engineering marvel, the Hoover Dam. Located on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada, the dam is a remarkable feat of engineering that's standing tall and strong for nearly a century. Viewers are privy to the inner workings of this giant structure and how it delivers much-needed water and power to the desert Southwest.

The episode then delves into the various ways in which water is managed and distributed globally. For instance, viewers are introduced to a massive floating crane that is used to move extremely heavy structures that would otherwise be difficult to move. This crane enables engineers to work on the world's largest desalination plant being built on the coast of Saudi Arabia.

The episode then moves on to the famous Three Gorges Dam in China, which plays a crucial role in controlling the Yangtze River's waters. It is a massive concrete structure – almost as tall as a 70-story building – and the episode looks at how its construction affected the area and redefined the human relationship with the river.

Next, viewers are taken to the largest water supply system in the world – the California Aqueduct. Stretching nearly 700 miles through the state, this aqueduct transports water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Southern California, keeping the arid region hydrated and the thirsty population supplied with its needs.

The episode also highlights other significant engineering achievements, such as the massive tanks used in creating new ports, the colossal pipes used to pump water through cities, wells that tap into underground pockets, and many more.

The show also looks at the history of water management and how ancient civilizations developed innovative engineering breakthroughs to capture, store, and distribute water. One such example that the episode explores is the ancient Anasazi in the American Southwest, who created intricate systems to collect rainwater, channel it, and store it in underground cisterns.

Viewers get to witness remarkable engineering accomplishments, including the tallest dam in the world, flawless water management in arid regions that no one else could have survived in, geothermal power stations, and more. The show is an eye-opening, heartening exploration of how humans have learned to harness the power of water to overcome obstacles and thrive.

In conclusion, Impossible Engineering season 9 episode 2, titled "World's Greatest Waterworks," showcases a plethora of examples of innovative, resourceful, and awe-inspiring engineering techniques that tap into the power and utility of water. Viewers will be fascinated as they learn about the many ingenious ways humans have used technology to capture, channel, and distribute water from the ancient times to the present.