Do hydropower projects have an impact on the environment?
All forms of energy production have an impact on the environment. In the initial years of project development, hydropower projects have local impacts on the environment, such as the modification of fish habitat and the flooding of land; however, good site selection, and the careful planning and operation of hydropower facilities can minimize these impacts. Moreover, when the impacts of hydroelectric projects are compared to the environmental impacts of the current alternative large-scale sources of energy (natural gas, coal, nuclear energy), hydropower is the cleaner and more environmentally sound choice for Canadians.
