subject: Factual Information About The Several Disadvantages Of Hydroelectric Power [print this page] Hydroelectric power sources are one of the advanced systems for progressive countries but behind these lies the several disadvantages that may negatively affect the environment. One of the disadvantages of hydroelectric power is that it causes aquatic fluctuations. This problem is noticed daily and is due to the turbine gates which are often left opened. One good example of this problem is in the Grand Canyon, the dam on the place was found to give some sand bar erosion. Because of the said incident, it causes a change of oxygen as it dissolves on the aquatic system especially from the pre-construction conditions. Here is another one disadvantages of hydroelectric power that you need to know. According to the professionals, the water that is excreted from the water turbines is known as warmer than the water from the pre-dam.
And these conditions are one of the causes why faunal populations are going down, endangered species are not even exempted in this depressing situation, thus it also prevent occurrence of the natural freezing processes. Even though some constructions of the hydroelectric energy source have built canals, disadvantages of hydroelectric power are not yet resolve. The purpose of these built canals is to divert the water current of the river at a shallower volume to elevate the main port of the scheme. There are also reported cases that the entire river has preoccupied leaving a lifeless and very dry riverbed. This has already happened in New Zealand particularly to the rivers of Pukaki and Tekapo. Another one disadvantages of hydroelectric power is known as siltation. Siltation occurs when the water current of a river and or waterfalls has the capacity to deliver massive particles heavier than itself and its usual flow.
This situation may cause a bad effect on dams and it also includes the main power stations. This problem usually occurs on rivers that are found within catchment locations with increased siltation. Because of the siltation it fills a river bank and decreases its ability and capacity to control flash flood together with the pressure on the upper part of stream of the dam. Eventually, the disadvantages of hydroelectric power may strengthen and give more problems to some reservoir and may lead to complete obstruction of sediments during flood takes place. Another problem and disadvantages of hydroelectric power is the shortage of water flow. This environmental change is the same with the amount of pressure and energy being produced by a certain dam. Because of the decrease of river flow and water energy, it now affects the amount of power that the dam usually delivers. Main causes of this problem are climate change, drought, or upstream dams. The result of this diminished river current and power may lead to shortage of power on nearby town and or cities, especially on areas where they depend too much on hydroelectricity power source. The problem on the power shortage may continue if the main cause such as the climate change also continues. Specific climate change conditions that affects this kind of situation is the change of the environmental temperature. Based on scientific studies, a decrease of two degree Celsius from the usual temperature may also result to a decline of water level and pressure that may lead to river run off for about 45% to 50%.
The disadvantages of hydroelectric power are vulnerable in Brazil especially on developing areas where they fully rely on the said power source. International researchers have also founded other significant disadvantages of hydroelectric power such as the methane emissions from reservoir. This problem is mainly present in tropical regions. They noted that such reservoir of the power plants on the affected tropical areas produces an extensive amount of methane. The problem is due to the decaying plants that were brought by current flood and now becomes a ground for an anaerobic environment. The said area is now forming methane which is also considered as a powerful greenhouse gas. Another one disadvantages of hydroelectric power source is the need to move the people who are living near the dams. This relocation procedure may affect a great number of families and thus creates a public societal conflict.
