> didn't he destroy the natural ecosystem of the stream, from the perspective of fish
In this case, maybe, but it doesn't show where they are getting the water from, upstream. The system typically looks like the following. You build a dam, have a grate (to stop sticks/fish/branches/etc) from entering your piping system. You then divert a small % of the flow into your piping which connects to the generator, then return the flow to the main stream.
It is in your best interest to stop objects (other than water) from entering the piping system, as it could clog up, or damage the turbine blades. So, you want to invest in the proper grating system upstream. I guess my point is, the by product of protecting your piping from clogs and damage to turbine blades, you are helping to preserve the natural ecosystem! A win-win.
|||| < stream
vvvv
+--------+
| man |
| made | < grate + pipe to divert % of flow
| dam +>>>-----------\
+--------+ \ < going downhill to increase pressure
||| +--\------+
||| | hydro | --> output power +
||| < main flow |generator| control infrastructure
||| +---------+
||| +
vvv+ <----------------+ < flow returns to main stream
vvvv
In this case, maybe, but it doesn't show where they are getting the water from, upstream. The system typically looks like the following. You build a dam, have a grate (to stop sticks/fish/branches/etc) from entering your piping system. You then divert a small % of the flow into your piping which connects to the generator, then return the flow to the main stream.
It is in your best interest to stop objects (other than water) from entering the piping system, as it could clog up, or damage the turbine blades. So, you want to invest in the proper grating system upstream. I guess my point is, the by product of protecting your piping from clogs and damage to turbine blades, you are helping to preserve the natural ecosystem! A win-win.