The impact of micro-hydropower on the aquatic environment

This paper considers the impact of 'run-of-river' micro-hydropower on the aquatic environment, focusing on the Afon Ty'n-y-Ddol in Snowdonia. Hydrological modelling of the abstracted reach shows that up to 50% of the annual flow is abstracted for power generation. A sediment and benthic macro-invertebrate study down the reach showed no significant adverse consequences due to the altered hydrological conditions when subjected to individual taxa, diversity, or quality index analysis. A reduction in 'average score per taxa' immediately below the abstraction point mall require further research.