Beyond salmon, freshwater dams affect the welfare of all fish, invertebrates, and riparian wildlife in modified river systems through altered flow, temperature, and habitat connectivity.
The welfare impacts of dams on freshwater ecosystems extend far beyond salmon migration barriers. Temperature stratification, loss of natural flow regimes, sediment trapping, and oxygen depletion in deep impoundment zones affect every aquatic species in modified rivers. River-dependent terrestrial wildlife — otters hunting in altered rivers, kingfishers that cannot access impounded water — suffer habitat degradation across their range. Minimally impactful hydropower design and dam removal programs that restore natural river function are both conservation and welfare priorities.