In addition to producing clean power, what are some other environmental benefits of hydroelectric dams?
Sale: Reservoirs at hydropower projects have a large recreational value; they are extensively used for fishing, boating, water skiing, and swimming. They offer expanded habitats for fish, ducks, geese, pelicans, eagles, and ospreys. They also provide storage for water supplies and help control floods, minimizing soil erosion. Recreational opportunities almost always increase where hydropower is developed. What are the adverse environmental impacts of hydropower projects? Coutant: Because most hydroelectric projects have dams, a river habitat is often replaced by a lake habitat. Thus, habitats for wildlife on land and for organisms in the water are destroyed or altered by impoundments of rivers. Examples in Tennessee are the Little Tennessee River and Tellico Lake. The biggest issue in the Northwest has been blocking upstream and downstream movement of fish. Salmon must be able to migrate upstream from the ocean to reproduce in fresh water. Even with the use of fish ladders to help salm
