Hydrology is concerned with the amount of water available within a watershed and how that water moves across the landscape. Dams play a role in how water flows and how much water flows down the stream they’re on.
Matt Deady, Professor of Physics, Director of the Physics Program, Bard College The power calculator and mapping tools are just two ways of calculating maximum power. There are other tools that you can use to estimate maximum power, and to look at how changing the head or flow will affect the potential power output of […]
Matt Deady, Professor of Physics, Director of the Physics Program, Bard College How much hydropower can a stream produce? There are many limiting factors – including restrictions on water usage, seasonal variations, and efficiency of turbines – but let’s ignore all of those for a moment and calculate the absolute maximum power possible, as an […]
Professor Matthew Deady, Professor of Physics, Director of the Physics Program, Bard College The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measures current stream conditions and maintains historic stream flow records for sites all over the country. These data sets can help dam owners understand seasonal and annual variability in their site’s flow. This guide is intended to walk […]
Megan Lynch & Kadijah Spence, Master’s Students, Bard Center for Environmental Policy Background & Life of the American Eel The American eel, the only freshwater eel found in North America, has a catadromous life cycle, meaning it begins its life in the ocean, migrates to freshwater to mature, and eventually returns to the ocean to […]
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Selecting the Right System Choosing the right type of micro hydropower system for your site depends on its unique physical characteristics and conditions. As water flows downstream, its gravitational energy can be converted into electric power by a hydroelectric system. Many smaller rivers and streams are capable of providing micro-hydro power for local use and to […]