• Geography -> Natural resources and energy

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Are there any notable examples of hydroelectric power projects that have failed in the past?

Joleen Spinley

Yes, unfortunately there have been some hydroelectric power projects that have failed in the past. Here are a few examples.

One is the Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station in Missouri, United States. In 2005, a large reservoir holding water for the power plant broke and flooded a nearby town. Luckily, no one was hurt, but it was a very expensive and damaging accident.

Another example is the Vajont Dam in Italy. It was built in the 1960s and was very large, but engineers didn't do enough research on the area before building it. In 1963, there was a massive landslide nearby, which caused a huge wave and flood that killed almost 2,000 people.

These are just a few examples, but they show how important it is to do proper research and safety checks before building power plants.