The Western Dams are unfortunately not thriving due to the droughts occurring, and it is causing an electrical decline. Fortunately, the dams in all the other regions are doing excellent. “In 2016, a U.S. Department of Energy study forecast that hydropower in the United States could expand from its current capacity of 101 gigawatts to nearly 150 gigawatts by 2050.” Hydropower is key to efficient energy production. Environmental groups warn that nonpowered dams can produce negative environmental impacts. Rye Development looks at dams as an opportunity. They claim that their Overton project can produce 49 megawatts when finished, and it will provide enough electricity to power more than 9,000 homes from the Red River in Lousiana
In this article, it talks about how instead of destroying and creating new dams they are being upgraded to become more efficient. I do agree that there might be some environmental impacts, but that the benefits outweigh the cons in this situation. I see this as an opportunity to create more energy for the US and as a healthy alternative power source. The nation’s most iconic dams will be 5 times fast than they are ever been
I agree with your argument that we should preserve dams, do you think by making more efficient dams we can reduce the scale of existing ones to reduce their environmental impact?
I never thought about how droughts can badly affect dams. Although dams do offer an alternative energy source, how do they affect local marine species?