What is the environmental impact of hydro power? Hydro power does not pollute the air or the water. Although, Hydro power plants/facilities can have big environmental impacts by changing the environment and affecting land use, homes, and natural habitats in the dam area.
ADVANTAGES
Renewable: it regenerates. This means we can't run out of it.
Green: generating hydroelectricity doesn't pollute the environment as it relies on water, which can be reused to irrigate nearby farms.
Reliable: it is a very reliable form of energy. This means it doesn't break down as often as other power sources such as electricity grids.
Safe: compared to other fossil fuels and nuclear energy, hydro power is much safer to animals, people and the environment.
DISADVANTAGES
Expensive: in general, building power plants is an expensive and polluting job.
Relies on water: electricity generation and energy prices are directly related to how much water is available. If a drought were to happen, that would affect the hydro power plant and the prices for that energy would skyrocket upwards.
FUN FACTS
Hydro power is one of the oldest power sources on the planet.
Niagra Falls' first hydroelectric generating facility (built in 1881) used the electricity to power night time lighting for visiting tourists.
Hydro power costs less than most energy sources.
Another type of hydro power is called pumped storage (it works like a battery, storing energy).
Lots of hydroelectric dams have devices that enable fish to pass. They are called fish ladders or fish elevators.