Hydroelectric power has been touted as one of the cleanest energy sources we have at our disposal. It is, after all, based on using the energy created by the flow of water to drive turbines that produce electricity. However, like any other energy-producing system, hydroelectric power plants also carry some environmental impacts. In this article, we will look at what these impacts are.
The positives of hydroelectric power
Before we look at the environmental impacts of hydroelectric power, it is essential to understand that this energy source has some significant benefits.
• Hydroelectric power produces no harmful air pollutants, such as greenhouse gases and sulfur dioxide.
• Hydroelectric power is renewable and sustainable, as water is a continuously replenished resource.
• Hydroelectric power plants can quickly respond to the high demand for electricity during peak hours, making the energy source highly reliable.
Now let’s look at the environmental downside of hydroelectric power plants.
The negative environmental impact of hydroelectric power
Fish habitats
Fish habitats are perhaps the most significant environmental impact of hydroelectric power. Dams and diversion structures obstruct the flow of rivers, making it challenging for fish to migrate or get to their spawning grounds. The altered flow also results in a change in temperature, which can affect the fish’s entire ecosystem.
Sediment movement
Rivers naturally carry sediments that build up on riverbeds and banks. When a hydroelectric dam is erected, the water is retained, causing sedimentation to occur behind the dam. This sedimentation can shrink habitats and impact downstream ecosystems, including plants and animals.
Changes in water quality
Hydroelectric power plants require a significant amount of water to work, which can lead to changes in water quality. The change in water quality can negatively impact aquatic life. Additionally, inappropriate handling of water in the reservoir can cause it to turn acidic, which can kill fish, plants, and microorganisms in the river.
Climate change
Hydroelectric power may be a renewable and clean energy source but can still contribute to climate change. Reservoirs generate greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, due to decomposing organic matter within the water column.
Soil erosion
When damming rivers, there is an increased risk of soil erosion, which leads to significant environmental degradation downstream. Lack of sediments that typically flight gravity erode riverbanks, which leads to a shallower and narrower river. This can increase the risk of floods and reduce soil fertility.
Local biodiversity
Hydroelectric power plants’ change in water flow and sediments can lead to the loss of local biodiversity in rivers and downstream ecosystems. Many of the affected plants and animals require a specific range of flow regimes and sediment levels, which is often altered when hydroelectric power plants are built.
Conclusion
Hydroelectric power has many benefits but also has significant environmental impacts that we cannot ignore. Governments and energy companies need to work together to ensure that these environmental impacts are minimized. We need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, hydroelectric power being one of them, but we must do so in ways that do not cause adverse environmental impacts. Providing reliable, sustainable, and clean energy to people can only be done in an environmentally conscious way by placing environmental protection at the core of the energy transition.