Run of River hydroelectric technology uses the natural flow of water from a river to produce electricity. It has no associated large dam or reservoir. Run of River hydroelectric projects are dramatically different in design, appearance and impact from conventional hydroelectric projects. There are two main differences. First, there is no water storage other than the limited amount required to submerge the intake pipe. Second, there is no alteration of downstream flows, since all diverted water is returned to the stream below the powerhouse.

In Run of River hydroelectric, a portion of the river's flow is diverted to a powerhouse before the water is returned to its natural watercourse. The water reaches the powerhouse through a tunnel or penstock, which drops from the intake. Once the water reaches the powerhouse, it is at a very high pressure and is directed into a turbine before it is fed back into the river. The power generated is connected to a local power grid through a high voltage transmission line.

The environmental "footprint" of Run of River facilities is typically considered lower-impact when compared to large scale hydroelectric facilities that have large water storage reservoirs. With no large dam to alter the river's flow, the design attempts to mitigate the environmental concerns traditionally associated with commercial dam-based hydroelectric projects.

Why Run-of-River?

• As a readily available source of green electricity, run-of-river hydro will play a prominent role in helping BC achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2016 as mandated in the latest BC Energy Plan.
• The BC government is encouraging the development of renewable power generation sources for several reasons:
  • Eliminate greenhouse gas emissions
  • Meet the province’s growing energy needs in a sustainable manner
  • Reduce its reliance on imported, carbon-intensive, non-renewable energy
• Run-of-river hydro projects are more environmentally friendly than many other types of electricity generation, such as hydro storage (large dams), nuclear, natural gas-fired plants and coal, because they:
  • Use a renewable resource.
  • Have zero greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Displace energy produced by polluting (oil, coal, gas) sources
  • Do not require dams, reservoirs or flooding vast tracks of land.
  • Are located at high elevations, usually above waterfalls, which act as a natural fish barrier.
  • Have minimal impact on vegetation, bird or wildlife habitat.
  • Have low visual impact.
  • Typically use existing logging roads for access and transmission rights-of-way minimizing environmental impacts.