Land

Some of the most visible impacts of building and operating hydro projects affect the land. During construction, trees are cleared and roads are built. This can increase human access and hunting in fragile wildlife habitat areas.

If dams are constructed, there is generally a loss of forests and wildlife habitat. The land area disturbed or covered varies, depending on the type and size of the project.

One of the largest hydro systems ever built in Canada was the first phase of the James Bay Project in Quebec. Requiring major diversions of water, the project’s reservoirs cover an area equivalent to three times the size of Prince Edward Island. The project affected some 10,000 Aboriginal people.

Industry strives to manage these impacts through careful planning and operation of their facilities. Working with regulators, hydro developers assess new projects for potential environmental impacts, including local land use and wildlife areas, and identify different options. They also consult with local communities to identify ways to protect the environment, ensure access to hunting, fishing and trapping and preserve important cultural and recreational resources.

After completion, companies follow up by monitoring their projects to assess environmental impacts, including changes to wildlife and their habitat. If impacts cannot be avoided, they sometimes restore disturbed lands by planting trees and vegetation.