North West Hydro Resource Model

Hydro Resource Evaluation Tool

environmental implications

 

Deploying any hydro power system changes the environment in which it is installed.  The impacts may appear to be insignificant, small and sometimes beneficial to the environment, potentially improving the survival of species and condition of habitats.  However, occasionally the impacts can be catastrophic, damaging ecological processes and impairing ecosystem services; this may be the case even when the visible change is minimal.  As a result, it is important that the environmental consequences are considered in the planning phase, long before deployment begins.  The sensitivity of our natural environment to inappropriate development is well kn own and protected by legislation that demands approval relating to changes through site preparation, installation, operation and decommissioning is obtained.  The impacts may be simple but can change through time reflecting the dynamics of climate, seasons and other activities on the system.  Identifying the possible changes can be time consuming and require specialist expertise. 

From these sections it is hoped that the actions needed to assess a potential site can be obtained.  The important question usually asked of any scheme is “Is the environment likely to be a showstopper?” and there are several important elements that need to be addressed under that question.

  1. Are you on an over-abstracted river?
  2. Will your proposal affect a designated area?
    • Is the site located in a designated area?
    • Does it flow out of or into a designated site?
    • Is it an ecological designation?
    • Was it designated for its freshwater?
    • Is it local, regional or national designation?
  3. Does the stretch contain any Priority Habitat?
    • Is the water course or any of the surrounding land covered by Habitat Action Plans (HAP)?
  4. Is the watercourse a fish river?
    • Are any of the fish Priority Species?
    • Is the site used for recreational angling?
  5. Does the watercourse have any Red Data Book species?
    • Are they resident?
    • Are they migratory?
    • What part of the habitat do they use?