The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program addresses water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants to waters of the United States. Hydropower projects often have […]

The amount of nutrients entering a system in a period of time. The overloading of nutrients in a system leads to eutrophication, causing excessive growth of […]

A double curve shaped like an elongated S, usually associated with a spillway configuration designed with optimal overflow characteristics.

An opening through which water can be freely discharged from a reservoir to the river for a particular purpose.

A gate controlling the flow of water through a reservoir outlet.

A dam designed to be overtopped.

An oxbow wetland is a meander of a stream, river or creek, that has become separated from the flow of water. Oxbow wetlands store excess water […]

Polychlorinated Biphenyls are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. PCBs do not readily break down once in the environment. […]

A peaking project is one in which water can be stored in a reservoir until needed, and then released through turbines to generate power to help […]

The Pelton turbine is an impulse turbine, which means that it generally uses the velocity of the water to move the runner. The water stream hits […]

An enclosed pipe-like structure that conveys water directly from a reservoir forebay to a powerhouse.

A natural or artificially created pool that dissipates the energy of free falling water.