Impoundments for hydroelectric power plants worsen water quality and ecosystem health.
A study looked at how building hydroelectric power plants on the River Sava affects water quality. They used a model called QUAL2E to predict changes in the river's health. The first power plant is already built, and water quality has changed. The model couldn't consider all factors, so it may not be perfect. The researchers suggest that ecosystem changes are the main challenge in using the model accurately.