Rivers, lakes and streams are nature's way of collecting water from the hydrologic cycle and carrying it back to the ocean for the cycle to begin again. Plants and animals depend on both this cycle and the rivers for survival. As human interaction with rivers increases, maintaining a balance with the plants and wildlife that also depend on the river system becomes more complex and diverse.
Using water to produce electricity dates back generations. Today, about 20 percent of the world's electricity is generated through the use of water, and up to 10 percent is used to produce electricity for the residents of the United States. That means hydropower accounts for over 90 percent of all electricity that comes from renewable resources such as solar, geothermal, wind, biomass and water. In the Pacific Northwest, nearly two-thirds of the supply of electricity is generated by the use of water.
The most important benefit of hydropower is its provision of clean, renewable energy. With hydropower, electric systems are able to maintain an exact balance with demand because generating at a hydroelectric dam is instantaneous – it does not require time to start up or cool down. Hydroelectric projects provide other vitally important benefits such as flood control, irrigation, navigation, recreation and water supply. As with every energy resource, environmental and other concerns exist. For hydroelectric projects, those concerns include barriers to upstream and downstream fish passage and changes to water quality, habitat condition or the flow rate of water moving downstream. Millions of dollars in research and mitigation efforts are spent each year to address these concerns.
Hydropower is a resource that continues to balance itself within the needs and designs of the environment while providing an essential element in the life of the people it serves. Previous generations successfully harnessed this renewable resource in a manner that has developed a standard of living in a way few would consider giving up. Using rivers to meet so many needs, however, also results in significant environmental and cultural impacts. Addressing these impacts and maintaining a balance with the plants, fish and wildlife that also depend on the river has never been more difficult. This and future generations are being asked to meet this challenge.
For more information and updates on salmon restoration efforts, visit Northwest RiverPartners.
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