Abstract:

Construction of rural hydropower stations in recent years has reached an unprecedented level, and has promoted economic and social development in  the rural area. Nevertheless, as the total investment in rural hydropower stations is relatively small, the fund for environmental impact assessment is smaller. Ecological and environmental impacts inclusive of aquatic organisms, animals and plants, soil and water conservation, and geology are not assessed or analyzed adequately. The ecological and environmental problems caused by hydropower stations in rural areas are discussed. In the light of  the characteristics of rural hydropower stations, some solutions are put forward, such as fish passes, rational layout of water diversion structure, vegetation slope protection for dam body, artificial floating island in the reservoir area, and reasonable ecological discharge. The solutions are expected to balance the eco-environment and the rural hydropower construction.  

Key words: rural hydropower stations, aquatic organisms, soil and water conservation, ecological environment