Dams like this are producing electricity that is sold to consumers.
Hydropower
Hydropower is using water to make electricity. There are several types of hydroelectric facilities; they are all powered by the kinetic energy of flowing water as it moves downstream. Turbines and generators convert the energy into electricity, which is then fed into the electrical grid to be used by industry and in homes and businesses.
Advantages
- Hydropower is a clean energy source.
- Hydropower is a renewable power source.
- Hydropower is generally available as needed; engineers can control the flow of water through the turbines to produce electricity on demand.
- Impoundment hydropower creates reservoirs that offer water supply and flood control as well as a variety of recreational opportunities.
Challenges
- Fish populations can be impacted if fish cannot migrate upstream past impoundment dams to spawning grounds or if they cannot migrate downstream to the ocean.
- Hydropower can impact water quality and flow. Hydropower plants can cause low dissolved oxygen levels in the water, a problem that is harmful to riverbank habitats.
- Hydropower plants can be adversely impacted by drought. If water is not available, the hydropower plants can't produce electricity.
- New hydropower facilities impact the local environment and may compete with other uses for the land. Those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation.