Do changing water levels affect nesting waterfowl?
Hydropower is nothing newthink watermills for grinding grain. Today, hydroelectric power is an important energy sourceits clean, renewable and, compared to fossil fuels emits very low levels of greenhouse gases (Environmental Literacy Council). Minnesota Power manages hydroelectric facilities on five reservoirs in southern St. Louis County which are important in other ways, too. Theyre home to over 30 species of waterfowl. And when you live in a reservoir, timing is everything. To make energy on demand, the water flow is carefully controlled, which makes it a different habitat than a natural lake. Theres a gradual draw-down of water throughout the winteras much as 10 feet in some lakeswith refill beginning in late March, and usually complete before June 1. But some waterfowl (geese, ducks, loons and grebes) build their nests soon after ice out, which can be anywhere from mid-April to mid-May. Could nests flood if used for incubation before the reservoirs refill? As part of their relice
