What are pros and cons of hydroelectric power?

Answer 1

Pros:

• Makes barely any pollution compare to other ways of creating electricity
• Hydroelectric power is one of the most responsive (easy to start and stop) of any electric power generating source.
• The conversion of the forces of water to electric energy can be up to 90 percent efficient.
• Hydroelectric power produces no chemical or waste heat pollution.
• Hydroelectric power plants require little maintenance.
• Reservoir lakes can be used for recreation, and can provide considerable flood protection to downstream areas.
• Groundwater reserves are increased by recharging from reservoirs.
• Plants usually have an expected life span two to three times longer than conventional thermal power plants.
• Hydroelectric installations can be used to breed fish and other aquatic products.

Cons:

• Construction costs of large-scale hydroelectric projects are high.
• Damming rivers causes changes in ecological cycles and surrounding landscapes; self-regulating ecosystems are changed into ones that must be managed.
• Sedimentation can progressively curtail a dam's ability to store water and generate energy.
• There are a limited number of feasible sites for large dams.
• Damming can cause loss of land suitable for agriculture and recreation.
• Drought can affect power production.
• Dams are vulnerable to natural forces. There is a high direct Death Rate from the failure of dams.
• River channels downstream from dams are more susceptible to erosion.