There’s a risk of drowning near hydropower facilities
It is very dangerous to carry out activities in the water near generating stations or spillways or even in the drained areas nearby.
When the generating station is in operation, even if the water looks calm, there is an undertow below the water that you cannot see. If you get close to them, the power of the water could drag you to the bottom.
Keep away from hydropower facilities and pay attention to warning signs.
Boating hazards
Turbines can start up at any moment, without warning. In the area within the booms (buoy lines), they create undertows that can pull you to the bottom.
Be careful, keep away from hydropower facilities and pay attention to warning signs.
Risks for young people
The risk of accident is high near a hydropower facility. When the spillway gates open, the water level rises quickly. Keep your family and friends out of danger zones.
Be careful, keep away from hydropower facilities and pay attention to warning signs.
Risks near water
Don’t venture onto the beaches or rocks near a hydropower facility. The areas are dangerous, even when they seem dry. They can be flooded at any time and when the spillway gates open, water levels rise quickly.
Be careful, keep away from hydropower facilities and pay attention to warning signs.
Snapshot of risks
- Eddies, visible or invisible, which can drag you to the bottom.
- Strong bottom or surface currents.
- Sudden changes in water level and flow velocity.
- Flash flooding of dry areas.
- Recirculating water below weirs, no matter their height.
- Steep or slippery banks.
- Rocks just below the surface that are difficult to see.
- Thinner ice around hydropower facilities.
Upstream and downstream, defined!
Picture a river that flows through a dam’s spillway. The upstream section of the river is before the dam, towards the rising slope (note that “upstream” goes “up”), and the downstream section is after the dam, towards the descending slope (note that “downstream” goes “down”).
How to stay safe around hydropower facilities, upstream and downstream alike:
- Stay out of danger zones.
- Be cautious and keep your distance.
- When in doubt, keep away from the banks and don’t go swimming.
- Keep children in sight at all times.
- Stay in designated observation areas.
- Never bring your boat too close to a hydropower facility.