Guide the water
Gates and channels control how much river water enters the system. The difference in elevation—called head—helps create usable force.
Hydropower explained
From flowing water to useful electricity.
Hydroelectric generation converts the energy of moving water into mechanical rotation, then into electrical energy.
UPSTREAM WATER
DAM
1 CONTROLLED FLOW
✦TurbineGGenerator
3 · ELECTRICITY TO GRID
2 · WATER RETURNS DOWNSTREAMTurn the turbine
Moving water pushes turbine blades and rotates a shaft. The water then returns to the river downstream.
Generate electricity
The shaft drives a generator, converting mechanical motion into electrical current for the grid.
What determines output?
Power depends mainly on head and flow.
Available power≈Water flow×Vertical drop×Efficiency
Actual production varies with river conditions, equipment performance, operating limits, and required environmental flows.
Facility types
Not every hydropower plant looks the same.
Run-of-river
Channels part of a river’s flow through a turbine and typically has limited storage.
Impoundment
Uses a dam and reservoir, allowing releases to be managed for generation and other needs.
Pumped storage
Moves water between reservoirs, storing energy for times when it is most valuable.
Educational overview informed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Site-specific operation depends on engineering, permits, river conditions, and interconnection requirements.
Let’s create the next chapter
Interested in renewable power or mill redevelopment?
We welcome conversations with businesses, investors, project partners, and the Ashland community.