Renewable

• A hydroelectric plant does not need to burn nonrenewable resources, unlike power plants that use coal, oil or natural gas. Water evaporates, forms clouds, and falls as rain, providing more water for the river that can be converted into hydroelectric energy.
  
  

Consistency

• Hydroelectric energy is a more stable power source than other types of renewable energy. Solar power requires bright sunlight to operate effectively, and wind power needs strong winds, so the level of electricity the generator produces often fluctuates. A hydroelectric dam can ensure that water flows through the turbine throughout the day, even if rains are sporadic, as long as the reservoir contains water. The reservoir can vary the volume of the water it releases to match local demand for electricity.
  
  

Land Use

• Creating the reservoir for a hydroelectric dam requires a lot of land if no natural reservoir is available. Building a reservoir might require a farmer to abandon productive farm land or a resident to abandon a town or a village. Flooding an area removes the habitat for wildlife. If fish travel up the river to spawn, the hydroelectric dam will interfere with their reproductive cycle.
  
  

Recreation

• An artificial reservoir can provide public benefits. The new lake creates a tourist destination for motorboats, fishing boats and jet skiers. According to a web page on the state of California's website, state law may require the hydroelectric plant operator to allow the public to use sections of the reservoir for entertainment purposes.
  
  

Reusability

• The hydroelectric plant only needs to extract kinetic energy from the water, and then it can release the water. A farm farther down the river can still use the water to grow crops and raise animals, or operate another water mill, and a homeowner can use the water to maintain her lawn or take a shower.