How does Hydroelectricity effect the ecosystem? (Advantages and disadvantages)?

Question

Heelppppp

Answer 1

Hi,
Hydroelectricity doesn't have any effect on the ecosystem. A larger question, which I'm not smart enough to answer, is the damming of water. This obviously has an effect on the ecosystem, and there are a few thousand lawyers who will argue the question both ways. It disrupts the natural flow of the river/it allows municipalities to access water at an affordable cost and allows irrigation of farm products which allows more abundant crops to feed our peoples. You see the problem.
advantages--self replenishing supply of electricity that is environmentally safe and cost effective.
disadvantages--blocks water to peoples downstream (but this would have happened anyway for purely water reasons)

Answer 2

It is said that simply by viewing anything you have an affect on it's existance. Hydroelectricity is more direct. It incorporates gears and turbines to produce electricity. As water currents push against paddle wheels they in turn turn gears and eventually turbines that produce the electricity.

The paddlewheels creates a biological hazzard to any life in the area. There is a heat is exchanged during the proccess as well. Even a modest change here can mean death to the indiginous plants and fish. And then there's always the potential that gear lubricants can leak and you end up with toxic pollutants.

Answer 3

hydroelectricity does not emit harmful pollutants such as CO2, is a renewable energy source, can help 3rd world countries earn money towards their gdp and improve their economy

hydroelectricity can severely affect the physical environments, for example dams in areas can destroy wildlife and increase insect population and disease from still standing water, change the food chain, displace native peoples etc.