1. ELLEN BRENNA AND ANDREW ORTHOBER 9/30/11 The Effects of Hydropower on Rural Communities

2. Background: Hydropower Powered by kinetic energy as water moves downstream  Department of Energy 10% of United States electricity comes from hydropower  Department of Energy 75,000 dams within Unites States borders  US Army Corps of Engineers

3. Benefits to Rural Communities New recreational opportunities Flood control Construction employment, limited operation employment Cleaner energy source  No greenhouse gas emissions Improve fertility of land surrounding the dam Department of Energy Average dam lifespan of 50 years or greater Army Corps of Engineers

4. Costs to Rural Communities Loss of land  Potential cultural importance  Relocation may be necessary Impacts to river ecology, ecosystem changes Mercury contamination International Rivers Changes in natural wildlife communities Decommissioning decisions  Maintenance  Sediment build up  Older dams

5. Conclusion Social costs are more local, benefits more regional Case study:  Hydro Quebec  Conflict with First Nation Community  US were main consumers of electricity produced Sustainability depends on community  Values  Agriculture vs Ecology  Location  History of hydropower in the area  How many dams currently on the river in question

6. Bibliography Army Corps of Engineers. 2011. National Inventory of Dams.. Department of Energy. 2011. Wind and Water Power Program.. Frey, G.W. and Linked, D.M. 2002. Hydropower as a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Resource Meeting Global Energy Challenges in a Reasonable Way. Energy Policy. 30:1261-1265. International Rivers. 2011. Dams and Water Quality.. Jager, H.I. and Smith, B.T. 2008. Sustainable Reservoir Operation: can we generate hydropower and preserve ecosystem values. River Research and Applications. 24:340-352.