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Kinetic energy of moving water —> spins a turbine —> turbine power generator
How a hydroelectric dam works
Water Impoundment
dam built in a river creates a large artificial lake behind the dam (reservoir)
Run of River System
a dam diverts the natural current of a river through man-made channel beside the river
Tidal Power
tidal ocean flow turns turbine (coastal areas only)
Ecological Impacts of Hydro Dams
reservoir floods habitats behind dam and sedimentation changes upstream and downstream conditions
Environmental Impacts of Hydro Dams
FF combustion during construction, increased evaporation, methane release
Economic Impacts of Hydro Dams
home & business relocation from reservoir flooding, construction is expensive, loss of ecosystem services
Fish Ladders
cement steps or series of pools that migratory fish like salmon can use to continue migration upstream, around or over dams
Benefits of Hydro Dams
No GHG emissions when electricity is produced, controls downstream seasonal flooding
Note 
Flashcard (55)