Hoover Dam and Hydroelectric Power

WGBH Educational Foundation, Teachers' Domain

This video segment is adapted from Building Big, a PBS series hosted by David Macaulay. It explores Hoover Dam's hydroelectric capabilities by explaining how it is able to harness the potential energy stored in the reservoir and convert it to electricity. It also discusses environmental impacts of the dam and others like it.

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Notes from our reviewers

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This video could be used in a physical science or environmental science course.
A short video that describes how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric plant (Hoover Dam). It also describes the pros and cons of this type of power production on regional water supply and river ecosystems. Comments from expert scientist: Explains how electricity is generated from dams, but does not explain climate change's impact on the ability to generate hydro power. Also, it is somewhat out-of-date.