HYDROPOWER

• Energy of moving water

• As long as sun shines and rain and snow fall we will have hydropower

History

• Greeks used water wheels to grind wheat into flour over 2000 years ago

In early 1800’s, water wheels were used to power machines in factories

In the late 1800’s,

hydropower was first used

to generate electricity

Photograph of old power plant above Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls , American Falls

Easier to build on a river where there is a natural waterfall

Athabasca Falls, Oregon

Dams make artificial waterfalls

Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River between Washington & Oregon

The water held back by the dams (reservoirs) are stored energy

Lake Powell Utah

The dam needs gates to open & close

The water spins the blades of the turbines

This is a turbine that has been

replaced at the

Bonneville Dam

Old turbine being removed

Replacement Turbine

the generator (the turbine is underneath)

Row of turbines

in the

powerhouse

Power plant at Bonneville Dam

Advantages

Cheapest way to produce electricity in the United States

Does not pollute

Does not add to global warming

Is a renewable energy source

Disadvantages

*Changes the flow of the river

*Land floods where reservoir is formed

*Some beautiful, fertile land might be flooded

*People and businesses may need to relocate

* Fish and wildlife may be disturbed

Example: Pacific Salmon

Top view offish ladders

Window into fish ladder

Hydropower in the U.S.

Most hydropower

1. Washington

2. California

3. New York

4. Oregon

5. Tennessee

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