Effects on the Enviroment
Hydropower, although renewable, has some negetive effects on the enviroment. Hydropower often
requires the use of dams, which can greatly affect the flow of rivers, altering
ecosystems and affecting the wildlife and people who depend on those
waters. A dam may obstruct migration of fish to their upstream spawning areas, although fish ladders help lessen this issue. A reservoir and operation of the dam can also change the natural water temperatures, chemistry, flow characteristics, and silt loads, all of which can lead to significant changes in the ecology and physical characteristics of the river upstream and downstream.
requires the use of dams, which can greatly affect the flow of rivers, altering
ecosystems and affecting the wildlife and people who depend on those
waters. A dam may obstruct migration of fish to their upstream spawning areas, although fish ladders help lessen this issue. A reservoir and operation of the dam can also change the natural water temperatures, chemistry, flow characteristics, and silt loads, all of which can lead to significant changes in the ecology and physical characteristics of the river upstream and downstream.