Energy production comes from different sources, including fossil fuels, wind, solar, and hydropower. The latter, hydropower, comes from harnessing the energy in moving water. It is renewable and clean energy that has several advantages over other sources of power. Although the process of harnessing hydropower might appear to be harmless, it has a considerable effect on the fish population that lives in the water bodies where the hydroelectric projects occur. This article will explore the relationship between hydropower and fish population.
What is hydropower?
Hydropower refers to electricity generated by hydropower plants. Hydroelectric plants are plants that generate power by harnessing the energy present in moving water. There are two main types of hydroelectric plants: run-of-the-river plants and dammed hydroelectric plants.
Fish Population
Fish population refers to the number of fish species that live in a water body. Fish are an essential part of aquatic ecosystems, and their populations are indicators of the health and the status of the aquatic environment. Factors that affect fish populations include pollution, overfishing, and the quality of the aquatic environment.
The Effects of Hydropower on Fish Population
Hydropower dams have several effects on the fish population in the water bodies where they are located. The following are some of the effects:
Habitat Loss
The construction of hydropower dams leads to the flooding of areas that were once dry land. This change alters the aquatic ecosystem and causes habitat loss for fish populations that lived in the area. The flooded areas may also have several plants that provide cover and food for fish. The loss of these habitats affects the fish populations that relied on them.
Migration Blockade
Fish species migrate to specific areas in search of food, mating, or to spawn. The construction of dams and the turbulent water caused by water released from the turbines block the migration routes of fish species that rely on them. This causes a reduced or complete loss of fish populations that require specific migration routes.
Turbine Injuries
Hydropower turbines kill or injure fish that are swept through them as water is released from the dam. This kills fish that are affected and disrupts fish populations that rely on the killed species for food.
Temperature Changes
The construction of hydropower plants affects the water temperature in the water bodies that sustain life. In summer, the warm water that is released from the turbines causes increased water temperatures, which affect fish populations negatively. Fish species that have adapted to certain water temperatures are affected, and their populations may decline.
Altered Flow Regimes
Hydroelectric plants have a significant impact on the water flow regimes of the water bodies where they are located. The plants regulate the water flows to ensure efficient energy production. This change affects the aquatic ecosystem and affects fish populations that rely on specific water flow regimes.
Solutions to The Effects of Hydropower on Fish Population
Several solutions aim to mitigate the negative impacts of hydropower on the fish population. These solutions include:
Fish Ladders
Fish ladders are solutions that allow for fish migration around the dam. They are structures designed to provide a pathway for fish to bypass the dam and avoid the turbines that could harm them.
Turbine Design
The design of turbines has a considerable impact on the number of fish killed or injured by them. Modern turbine designs are better at keeping fish unharmed as they pass through them. The blades of modern turbines are made from materials that prevent fish injuries, and the flow rate has been optimized to prevent turbulence that could disorient fish.
Environmental Flows
Environmental flows refer to the amount and frequency of water released downstream from a dam. This flow regime mimics the natural flow regimes that existed before the dam was constructed. This solution optimizes the water flow for both efficient energy production and the preservation of the aquatic ecosystem.
Selective Withdrawal Structures
Selective withdrawal structures are solutions that withdraw water from above the dam’s bottom, reducing the impact of withdrawing water on fish populations that live in deeper spots in the water body.
Conclusion
Hydropower is a clean and renewable source of energy that has positive impacts on the environment and the economy. However, the construction of hydropower dams has several negative impacts on the fish population that lives in the water bodies where the hydroelectric projects occur. This article has explored the effects that hydropower can have on fish populations and the solutions that can be implemented to mitigate those effects. A careful approach to the construction of hydropower dams, along with the implementation of the proposed solutions, can promote sustainable hydropower projects while preserving the aquatic ecosystem.