Hydropower

Hydroelectric Plants = = Hydroelectric plants produce about 24 percent of the worlds electricity, they supply more than 1 billion people, and the worldwide hydropower plants produce 675,000 megawatts of power. That's equal to 3.6 billion barrels of oil. Not only do they produce a lot of energy they also are the worlds largest renewable energy resource, which means energy would keep moving and, unlike oil, we wouldn't run out of it. There are 2,000 hydroelectric plants in the U.S. alone making it the world's largest creator of hydroelectric power. (http://www.howstuffworks.com/hydropower-plant.htm).

For the town of Basgo, because population is growing fast, a Hydropower Plant would, if constructed, be a great help to the people living there. This would be because if the town of Basgo manages their own energy, not only would prices go down, but jobs would open up for locals. Because of the fish migration a fish ladder would have to be placed so the fish could move upstream to spawn in the freshwater, and the construction of one is a possibility. One setback that the people of Basgo might be faced with is the back up of sediments. Fortunately because of the small size of the dam, this will not be a problem.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/hydropower-plant1.htm

__**Advantages to Hydroelectric Dams**__

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions Easy to predict how much energy will be created Improved transportation because of the development of traffic or rail bridges across estuaries

A few jobs created to help operate the dam.

Very expensive to construct barrage
 * __Disadvantages__**

Lack of water down stream

__**Conclusion**__ Although there are many great benefits to having a Hydroelectric plant, there are some severe disadvantages also. A Hydroplant seems like a great idea because it will supply almost all the residents with power, but because of the downsides such as the effects on plants and animals, it does not seem worth the pains and labor.

We have decided to put a Hydroelectric Dam in place upriver. It wil not be in the way, and it will be an easy way to get energy for the town of Basgo.

[|www.ecology.com/archived-links/hydroelectric-energy/index.html] http://www.howstuffworks.com/hydropower-plant.htm
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