Dams: The good and the bad

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By CurrentCast

This story originally appeared on CurrentCast and is republished here with permission.

A giant dam can be a real game-changer to the ecosystem–but so can a small one. Image: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Dams can create a reservoir to hold water, protect areas from floods, or generate clean electricity. All good, right?

But wait, there’s more: A dam also physically blocks migrating fish and changes the overall biology of the life in the river by changing the natural water flow.

So, what makes a dam “good”? Laura Wisland, senior energy analyst from the Union of Concerned Scientists, says it’s not the size of the dam that matters.

“A larger dam that creates ways for fish passage and releases water with a flow cycle that mimics the natural flow cycle–that could end up having much fewer environmental impacts than a smaller dam that’s poorly managed,” she explains.

How to strike the right balance? It’s all about thoughtful design and management when it comes to minimizing environmental risks.

Get schooled:

The fine print:

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