Hydro Best
It’s hard not to care about our rivers. Indeed, the rivers that run across this land are great treasurers whose sometimes powerful, sometimes meandering currents captivate our imagination. And while we imagine pristine rivers as those of the highest order, the rivers experienced by most people have multiple uses. They provide drinking water for nearby communities, manage floods to protect both urban centers and rural America, create shipping lanes to bring products to market, irrigate farmland and provide thrills for boaters and anglers alike. No less important is the role rivers play in our nation’s electricity supply, providing an abundant source of clean, renewable and reliable hydroelectricity.
All these uses come with a responsibility to protect the health of rivers. And, while environmental protection is easily talked about, it’s much more difficult to actually do something about.
In 1994, the National Hydropower Association created the Hydro Achievement Awards to recognize organizations and projects committed to excellence in the development and operation of hydropower. In 1999, NHA added the Outstanding Stewardship of America's Rivers Report to profile the best examples of hydropower's ability to generate clean, renewable, reliable and affordable electricity while protecting the riverine ecosystem.
Beginning in 2007, these two recognition programs have been merged to more effectively provide recognition to deserving organizations and to reflect the changing nature of the hydropower industry, particularly the fact that hydropower can used in various waterways. The new award program is called the Outstanding Stewards of America's Waters.