Small-scale hydro: environmental assessment of small hydroelectric development at existing sites in California

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5358675

This report, prepared by the California Energy Commission at the request of the Governor's Task Force on small scale hydro, is intended to assist developers of small hydroelectric projects through the state's environmental review and assessment process. The report provides information on the types of environmental impacts that may accompany small hydroelectric development at existing dams, canals, and pipelines. The significance of the principle impacts, measures for mitigating these impacts, alternatives to small hydro development, and growth-inducing and cumulative impacts are also discussed. The report reveals that, although many possible impacts could occur from development of small hydro facilities throughout California, most if not all potential impacts can be made less than significant by mitigation or compensation measures. Regulatory requirements would prevent virtually all potentially significant impacts from occurring.

• Research Organization: California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, Sacramento (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5358675
• Report Number(s): P-700-81-022; ON: DE82903674
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130600* -- Hydro Energy-- Environmental Aspects
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CALIFORNIA
CONSTRUCTION
DAMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION IX
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LAND USE
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
RETROFITTING
SAFETY
SMALL-SCALE HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
USA
WATER QUALITY