Comparison of environmental issues related to development of small hydropower resources at new versus existing sites

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6871593

Loar, J. M.; Hildebrand, S. G.

Many of the ecological issues associated with the development of small hydropower resources are similar at both new (undeveloped) sites and those with existing dams that will be retrofitted for hydroelectric generation. Issues that could occur with both types of development are: (1) blockage of fish migration routes; (2) water level fluctuations; (3) instream flows, (4) water quality; (5) dredging and dredged material disposal; and (6) threatened or endangered species. However, new site development projects require the alteration of existing aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that will be, in most cases, significantly greater than the environmental changes associated with the retrofitting of existing dams. Although project design and operation are important factors controlling the nature and magnitude of the environmental impacts of small hydropower resource development, the mitigation of adverse impacts (and the optimization of beneficial effects) is dependent, in large measure, on our ability to accurately predict physical, chemical, and biological changes. Predicting the impacts of new impoundments may be considerably more difficult than predicting the impacts that might occur if an existing dam/impoundment system is developed. A comparative approach at the ecosystem level can provide valuable insights into the structure and function of reservoir systems and significantly increase our predictive capability.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6871593
• Report Number(s): CONF-801210-13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130100 -- Hydro Energy-- Resources & Availability
130600* -- Hydro Energy-- Environmental Aspects
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CONSTRUCTION
DAMAGE
DAMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HAZARDS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RETROFITTING
SITE SELECTION
WATER QUALITY