Do you think the benefits of generating hydroelectric power by using dams outweigh the drawbacks? give reasons

Answer 1

Usually the impact of one hydroelectric dam does not outweigh the benefits. However, many dams are being torn down because too many dams were built on one river. Drawbacks include reduce water flow, increased temperature of the river, increased salinity, flow diversion away from natural habitats, and accumulation of sediment at the base of the dam making them less and less efficient over time. There are many benefits however such as no air pollution, quick peaking power generation, cheap power, improved recreational areas, flow diversions to agriculture, flood control, and act as drinking water reservoirs. This means that hydroelectric dams need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on what the public needs more of.

Answer 2

Tough question...if the area to be flooded behind the dam is mostly desert, uninhabited land...OK...but as in Egypt...all the artifacts, monumants,pyramids and such will be covered by water! On the other hand, lakes and ponds support fish, reservoirs for people's water, and recreation like boating and swimming. Least bothersome would be a device in a stream or fast river that does not block the flow or cause flooding but produces electricity. The Peace Corps makes these out of 55 gallon drums!

Answer 3

It depends on each persons values. Dams alter the rivers they are built in - they impair water quality, replace diverse natural habitats with ones that are simplified, create environments for invasive species, and they cause extinctions of native fish and other organisms that need to use the rivers as migratory routes.

On the other hand, hydroelectric dams provide cheap, clean, renewable energy that does not add to greenhouse gases.

So what's more important - conserving species while creating air pollution or providing clean renewable power while killing off aquatic species?