Environment

Hydropower in the Northwest Publication
Following Nature’s Current: Hydropower in the Northwest

This publication explores the role of hydropower in our quickly evolving carbon-free, clean energy, power generation future. The Northwest is embracing and balancing new innovations, technologies, and energy resources as we navigate extreme weather and climate change. It’s an exciting time, rich with possibility and collaboration.

Fish Passage Tour

Salmon are the most well-known species that migrate up and down Northwest streams and rivers. Learn the different ways and technologies that are used to help salmon migrate upstream and downstream past hydroelectric projects.

Enloe Dam

How a Hydroelectric Project Can Affect a River

Hydropower accounts for over 80% of the Northwest’s renewable energy. While there are many benefits to using hydropower as a renewable source of electricity, like any energy resource there are also environmental impacts that operators manage.

eagle falls skykomish river photo

Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement

When avoiding impacts is not possible, protection, mitigation, and enhancement are three broad strategies used by hydropower generators to meet their environmental responsibilities.