Usually to preserve the organisms (maybe the organisms are endangered species or need to be protected in some other way). Another reason could be for the benefit of mankind (for example, an artificial river provides recreational purposes)
To solve this problem, we will apply the concepts related to the linear deformation of a body given by the relationship between the load applied over a given length, acting by the corresponding area unit and the modulus of elasticity. The mathematical representation of this is given as:

Where,
P = Axial Load
l = Gage length
A = Cross-sectional Area
E = Modulus of Elasticity
Our values are given as,
l = 3.5m
D = 0.028m

E = 200GPa

Replacing we have,




Therefore the change in length is 1.93mm
By equation of motion :

Now, it is given that it stops after 5 seconds of motion and time at that point is 12:00.
So, time when it started is 11 : 59 : 55.
Therefore, distance travelled is 10 m.
Hence, this is the required solution.
The speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second in vacuum,
somewhat less in any material. How much less depends on the material.