CRT Library
Assessing the Impact of Hydro Development: A Case Study of the Columbia River Basin in British Columbia
“Hydro development along the Columbia River has brought major benefits to British Columbia, most notably electric power production and improved flood control. Accompanying these positive effects, however, have been significant local costs associated with the flooding of lands for reservoir creation and the continuing disruption of resource use associated with changing reservoir levels. This article re-examines the controversial impact of hydro development on the Columbia using, as an analytical aid, several indicators of sustainable development. While the concept of sustainability suggests that resource use decision-making should attempt to balance demands on environmental, social, and economic systems, the application of this concept is particularly challenging when the greatest benefits of hydro development – those related to increased power generation – are decided in and received by communities hundreds of kilometres away in the Lower Mainland of BC and the US Pacific Northwest.” (Taken from introduction.)
Note: the full text is not available in the CRTDL. For online availability, check: http://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/bcstudies/article/view/1710/1756
Author: Toller, Susan B and Nemetz, Peter N., 1944-
Publisher: BC Studies
Date: 1997
