If fossil fuels are the energy sources for making these materials, then the emissions from the equipment could be associated with the electricity that hydropower facilities generate. Manufacturing the concrete and steel in hydropower dams requires equipment that may produce emissions. The physical impacts of a dam and reservoir, the operation of the dam, and the use of the water can change the environment over a much larger area than the area a reservoir covers. A reservoir and the operation of the dam may also result in the relocation of people. Reservoirs may cover important natural areas, agricultural land, or archeological sites. These changes may have negative effects on native plants and on animals in and around the river. All of these changes can affect the ecology and the physical characteristics of the river. A dam and reservoir can also change natural water temperatures, water chemistry, river flow characteristics, and silt loads. However, dams, reservoirs, and the operation of hydroelectric generators can affect the environment.Ī dam that creates a reservoir (or a dam that diverts water to a run-of-river hydropower plant) may obstruct fish migration. Hydropower generators do not directly emit air pollutants. Although many of these dams have hydroelectric generators, only a small number of dams were built specifically for hydropower generation. Most dams in the United States were built mainly for flood control, municipal water supply, and irrigation water. Hydropower generators produce clean electricity, but hydropower does affect the environment
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