There’s something magical about rivers. In romance, mythology and adventure. Who can’t be moved by Audrey Hepburn words from the song Moon River in the movie Breakfast at Tiffaney’s. “I’m crossing you in style some day. Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, wherever you’re going I’m going your way. Two drifters off to see the world. There’s such a lot of world to see. We’re after the same rainbow’s end– waiting ’round the bend, my huckleberry friend,Moon River and me.” Moon River and me.”
AUDREY HEPBURN BREAKFAST AT TIFFANEY’S
As a source of power and energy let’s take a look at we’ve done with water. Early uses of waterpower date back to Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, where irrigation has been used since the 6th millennium BC and water clocks had been used since the early 2nd millennium BC. Other early examples of water power include the Qanat system in ancient Persia and the Turpan water system in ancient China.
The damming of streams and rivers has been an integral part of human civilization from its early history. Controversy paralleled this use because impounding and diverting water for upstream users affects those who live downstream, and also modifies the local habitats of plants and animals. Read about some of effects of hydropower.The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest hydropower project and most notorious dam.
Dams are built to control floods, improve navigation, provide a drinking-water supply, create or enhance recreational opportunities, and provide water for irrigation and other agricultural uses. A small percentage of dams (less than 3 percent in the United States) are used to generate power.
Waterpower was the impetus that powered manufacturers who were building a growing nation during the U.S. Industrial Revolution. Hydropower generates about 24 percent of the world’s and 12 percent of the United States’ electricity.
Today hydropower provides the source of energy to the state of Washington, close to 90%. As solar power and other renewable alternatives are coming into view using the power of our nations rivers in a sustainable and non destructive way only makes sense.