Environmental, Ecological and Recreational Impacts of a Proposed Hydroelectric Dam on the Teno River, Chil

Worldwide, hydroelectric energy from dams has gained unsustainable momentum. Nearly two-thirds of the world's large rivers in the northern hemisphere are fragmented by dams. The neotropics are now the primary frontier for dam construction and development. In Chile, hydroelectric energy is considered a Non-Conventional Renewable Energy and a gateway to "clean energy". This misconception has led to serious ecological, environmental and recreational degradation. The growing demand for water at a time of concerning hydrological conditions has increased water's economic value, as well as the intensity of social and political conflicts. A new hydropower boom is raising new challenges for water governance in Chile. As an international leader of neoliberal law, Chile operates by merging water, electricity and natural resource policies within the frameworks of economic law. In order to foster sustainable energy development while maintaining productive and healthy ecosystems, it is critical to understand the ecological, environmental, and recreational impacts from hydroelectric damming. Through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this research provides a novel and interdisciplinary approach to identify, model and quantify the impacts of a proposed hydrodam on the Teno River, Chile.