Hydro Power Geography

A Hydroelectric Dam in Operation

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Comparing Alternative Energy Forms

Water Power Geography

The geography of water power is all about elevation and rivers. Where there are mountains or large hills, a probable site for a hydroelectric plant is found. The following map shows some of the current hydroelectric sites in the western part of the United States. The concepts found in this map are applicable to any location in the world.

The map shows part of the area of the United States that is covered with the Rockies mountain range. A great number of hydroelectric plants are seen on this map, and all are found either on or next to a great river. Of course it is important to have a water source for the hydroelectric plant to work, but it is important for the river to be high in elevation at some point on its path. The hydroelectric plant actually is placed where the water starts to fall. The downward acceleration of the water is the most important concept of hydro power. To read more about the physics of hydro power follow the link for it. The hydroelectric plants in the following map are at places in the river where the water falls in elevation (height above sea level).

Hydro map of Western USA
Map provided by the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR).

Other places in the world that would be good for hydroelectric plants are also around rivers and places of high elevation. Some examples are on the Jordan river in Israel, or on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present day Iraq, in Africa along some of the rivers like the Congo or Niger. In eastern Asia China has great opportunity to utilize water power. Along the Yangtze river, land areas are often flooded. Some other rivers in the world that would be places of great opportunity for hydroelectric power are: the Volga in Russia, the Danube or Rhine in Germany, the Loire in France, the Amazon of Brazil, and the Parana of Argentena.

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	Water Power Geography The geography of water power is all about elevation and rivers. Where there are mountains or large hills, a probable site for a hydroelectric plant is found. The following map shows some of the current hydroelectric sites in the western part of the United States. The concepts found in this map are applicable to any location in the world. The map shows part of the area of the United States that is covered with the Rockies mountain range. A great number of hydroelectric plants are seen on this map, and all are found either on or next to a great river. Of course it is important to have a water source for the hydroelectric plant to work, but it is important for the river to be high in elevation at some point on its path. The hydroelectric plant actually is placed where the water starts to fall. The downward acceleration of the water is the most important concept of hydro power. To read more about the physics of hydro power follow the link for it. The hydroelectric plants in the following map are at places in the river where the water falls in elevation (height above sea level). Map provided by the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). Other places in the world that would be good for hydroelectric plants are also around rivers and places of high elevation. Some examples are on the Jordan river in Israel, or on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present day Iraq, in Africa along some of the rivers like the Congo or Niger. In eastern Asia China has great opportunity to utilize water power. Along the Yangtze river, land areas are often flooded. Some other rivers in the world that would be places of great opportunity for hydroelectric power are: the Volga in Russia, the Danube or Rhine in Germany, the Loire in France, the Amazon of Brazil, and the Parana of Argentena.