Event Title

Converting Dams to Produce Power

Presenter Information

Jonathon Harrington, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

10-4-2018 10:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2018 11:30 AM

Student's Major

Construction Management

Mentor's Name

Brian Wasserman

Mentor's Department

Construction Management

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Dams are typically constructed for irrigation, flood regulation, and power generation. The United States currently houses over 80,000 dams, only 2,500 of which are used for power. Dams are built across rivers, which create a lake behind the dam. For hydropower dams, power is generated as the water moves through the dam and into the river below. There are currently 54,391 non-powered dams, NPDs, that can be converted into hydropower dams. While building new dams would be beneficial for power and energy production, the construction would be detrimental to the surrounding ecosystem. Converting NPDs to produce power is still harmful, but it is not as harmful as new construction. This research will display effective and efficient ways of converting NPDs into hydropower dams while conserving the surrounding environment