ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

OF HYDROPOWER

About hydropower

Hydropower (from hydro, meaning water) is energy that comes from the force
of moving water. The fall and movement of water is part of a continuous
natural cycle called the water cycle.

A typical hydro plant is a system with three parts: an electric plant where the
electricity is produced; a dam that can be opened or closed to control water
flow; and a reservoir where water can be stored.

The water behind the dam flows

through an intake and pushes
against blades in a turbine, causing
them to turn. The turbine spins a
generator to produce electricity.
The amount of electricity that can
be generated depends on how far
the water drops and how much
water moves through the system.
The electricity can be transported
over long-distance electric lines to
homes, factories, and businesses.

About hydropower

Clean
and
renewa
ble
energy
source

Hydropower is the cheapest way to generate electricity

today. That's because once a dam has been built and the
equipment installed, the energy sourceflowing wateris
free.
It's a clean fuel source that is renewable yearly by snow
and rainfall.
Furthermore, hydro plants do not emit pollutants into the
air because they burn no fuel.
Hydropower is also readily available; engineers can control
the flow of water through the turbines to produce
electricity on demand. In addition, reservoirs may offer
recreational opportunities, such as swimming and boating.
Hydropower plants produce power cheaply due to their
sturdy structures and simple equipment. Hydro plants are
dependable and long-lived, and their maintenance costs
are low compared to coal or nuclear plants.

Summary of the Environmental

Impacts of Dams

Damming
rivers
may
permanen
tly alter
river
systems
and
wildlife
habitats.

The impact of dams on river ecosystems

Negati
ve
effects

Negative environmental effects due to

construction activities
Loss of wild lands, wetlands and wildlife habitat
Effects of stopping the flow of nutrients
downstream
Reduced biological activity downstream
Anaerobic decomposition of vegetation and
production of greenhouse gasses
Water-loss due to evaporation
Changes in water quality due to the lack of
dissolved oxygen near the bottom of reservoirs.
This is toxic to fish and can lead to the death of
aquatic life. It is also corrosive to turbines.

The impact of dams on river ecosystems

Accomodation of amphibians, riparian

fauna and birds to a new environment
Migration of animals to new areas, where
new equilibrium may favour some species
over others
Blocking fish migration
Introducing of new species of fish in the
reservoirs
Inappropriate reservoir operation with
large variations in water levels could
threaten fish by drying up shallowbreeding and flood producing areas.

Negati
ve
effects

The impact of dams on river ecosystems

THE
PYRAMID
OF
IMPACTS

www.labond.com/Dams/...

The Iron Gates Dams and

disruption of
spawning migration of Danube
sturgeons
Sturgeons
are very
sensitive to
habitat
changes.
Altered
habitats can
immediately
impact on
their
spawning,
wintering
and feeding
success,
and
ultimately
lead to their
extinction.

Iron Gates is the largest hydropower dam

and reservoir system along the entire
Danube. The system consists of two main
dams, Iron Gates I and II, built in 1972 and
1985 respectively. The dams are
constructed at river km 942 and river km
863 upstream of the Danube delta, in effect
confining migratory sturgeons to 863 km of
the river and cutting off important spawning
sites in the Middle Danube.
The Iron Gates dams do not have technical
equipment such as fish passes or bypasses,
designed to assist fish migration.

Danube sturgeons species

Danube sturgeons species

Danube sturgeons species

Danube sturgeons species

Danube sturgeons species

REFERENCES

http
://www.need.org/needpdf/infobook_activities/SecInfo/HydroS.pdf

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-w
arming/hydropower-profile
/

http://danube-sturgeons.org/

Thank you for

watching! Florin Balaci
Laurentiu Buse