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Hydropower

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Indiana Bat Resources

Hydropower is the nation's leading renewable energy resource. While hydroelectric power is an important source of energy, development and relicensing of hydropower projects must include environmentally sound measures that provide for protection of the natural resources of the nation.

The operation of hydropower projects may result in periodic flooding for miles downstream, which can increase riverbank erosion and harm fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and other aquatic life. Operation may also periodically result in extremely low flows that severely stress fish.

The Service's West Virginia Field Office Conservation Planning Assistance program is responsible for environmental reviews of federal hydropower activities under the authority of the Federal Power Act (pdf-132KB). We are also responsible for ensuring that hydropower facilities operate with appropriate fish passage and provide river flows necessary for the life cycles of aquatic-dependent species.