The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to reducing the impacts of hydropower generation through the certification of hydropower projects that have avoided or reduced their environmental impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s criteria.

There are thousands of hydropower dams in the United States located on many of our most important rivers and streams. These dams can create pollution-free energy, but they can also produce significant adverse impacts on fish and wildlife and other resources.

Our Vision: We envision a world where hydropower puts people and the environment first.

Our Mission: We recognize and support hydropower that prioritizes environmental, recreational, historical, and cultural resource protection.

We do this by defining and certifying Low Impact Hydropower using rigorous science-based criteria and public input; providing education and outreach; and structuring our organization to integrate and evolve with community, conservation, and hydropower interests.