this post was submitted on 06 Jan 2025
321 points (98.5% liked)

Uplifting News

11779 readers
270 users here now

Welcome to /c/UpliftingNews, a dedicated space where optimism and positivity converge to bring you the most heartening and inspiring stories from around the world. We strive to curate and share content that lights up your day, invigorates your spirit, and inspires you to spread positivity in your own way. This is a sanctuary for those seeking a break from the incessant negativity often found in today's news cycle. From acts of everyday kindness to large-scale philanthropic efforts, from individual achievements to community triumphs, we bring you news that gives hope, fosters empathy, and strengthens the belief in humanity's capacity for good.

Here in /c/UpliftingNews, we uphold the values of respect, empathy, and inclusivity, fostering a supportive and vibrant community. We encourage you to share your positive news, comment, engage in uplifting conversations, and find solace in the goodness that exists around us. We are more than a news-sharing platform; we are a community built on the power of positivity and the collective desire for a more hopeful world. Remember, your small acts of kindness can be someone else's big ray of hope. Be part of the positivity revolution; share, uplift, inspire!

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Summary

The removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, completed in October 2023, is the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. The dams had blocked salmon migration, disrupted ecosystems, and worsened toxic algal blooms for over a century.

Decades of advocacy by tribal groups, environmentalists, and locals led to their removal, marking a significant environmental milestone. Early recovery signs include salmon returning to the upper basin for the first time in 60+ years.

The project also restored sacred lands to the Shasta Indian Nation and opened 400 miles of habitat for native species.

Challenges like sediment-clearing and climate impacts persist, but stakeholders celebrate it as a model for ecological renewal.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Exusia 18 points 2 days ago (7 children)

I didn't see it in the article, but what of the power these dams generated? Did they run lines from a farther city? Did these communities have a say?

I'm all for reducing impact on the environment and these dams were truly messing things up (water full of algae so deprived of oxygen it turns black?). This is one of those uncomfortable trades we've made across the world with hydro dams. They alter rivers, and make reservoirs. They destroy salmon routes and cause flooding above them when they're not fast enough to drain. -But humans demand electricity. It's become essential for homes and health, and now even transportation infrastructure is becoming reliant on it. It seems like these 4 dams couldn't be producing much if the local people were able to demand them gone and Berkshire give in.

[–] lethargic_lemming 51 points 2 days ago (6 children)

That's a good question, actually so I looked it up and found a few articles talking about it.

"At full capacity, the Klamath River dams can produce enough electricity to power about 70,000 homes, though in reality, they produce about half that, says PacifiCorp spokesperson Bob Gravely. The reservoirs do not provide drinking or irrigation water." Source

As for what the electricity would be replaced with, it would be from other sources that would are aggregated by the power company.

I actually think the research for this dam removal was done quite thoroughly after reading this article: [https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a69884b685ef49bbba26f9a1d377cbe4](Link here)

Someone crunched the numbers and the dams were not efficient, aging and getting to be a liability so I believe the removal was an overall net positive

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Looks like 700Gwh/y, so 80Mw. That's not insignificant. A wind turbine produces about 2.75Mw, so you'd need 30 to just make up the nameplate capacity. But it's probably actually twice to three times that amount, since hydro is very consistent, and wind isn't. Need to add on batteries for storage too.

http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org/settlement/articles2010/howwillpowerbereplaced120310.htm

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-many-homes-can-average-wind-turbine-power

[–] Econgrad 7 points 2 days ago

Thanks for addressing this concern I guess it's not a bad thing after all I've changed my mind

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (4 replies)