Hydro Power 101: The Environmental Cost of Big Dams
- RRHS ScienceNHS
- Jan 8
- 1 min read
By: Anya Waghchoure-
Have you ever heard of the dams that beavers build? What about the humongous hydroelectric ones that provide power to millions of people? I’m sure you have and if you haven't then here's a little summary: Hydro powered dams use the force of water flowing in rivers to produce energy. As water rushes through the dam, electricity is produced and can be used in many different ways. However, as good as they may seem, hydroelectric dams can be detrimental to the environment by disrupting river ecosystems and blocking fish migration.
Dams unnaturally regulate the flow of water, preventing floods and changing the water velocity. This can become a massive problem as animals have adapted to flowing bodies of water. Many species of fish like salmon rely on seasonal flow variations as signs for their reproductive cycles. The regulated flow from dams can disrupt these cues, leading to unsuccessful reproduction at unfavorable times.
Furthermore, dams are physical barriers in rivers and streams which can block fish and other species from having the flexibility to move upstream. Aquatic species use this flexibility to reach their feeding grounds and other areas of the river for different stages in their life. This is an extremely prominent factor in aquatic species because it leads to the decrease in various populations.
In summary, although hydroelectric dams provide electricity for millions of people, they harm other animals in the process. There is a cost to everything however there is one remaining question. How willing are we to sacrifice river ecosystems in exchange for energy?
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