Potential Environmental Impacts The potential environmental impacts of hydroelectric projects are always significant. However, there are many factors that influence the need for preventive measures. Mainly: The construction and operation of the dam and the reservoir are the main source of hydroelectric project impacts. projects powerful dams can cause irreversible environmental changes, in a very large geographical area, hence, have the potential to cause significant impacts. There has been increasing criticism of these projects during the last decade. Kymaro Body Shaper The severest critics argue that the social, environmental and economic impacts of these dams outweigh their benefits and, therefore, does not justify the construction of large dams. Others mention that in some cases, environmental and social costs can be avoided or reduced to an acceptable level, if evaluated carefully, potential problems and corrective measures are implemented which are expensive.Some dams are deficient or construction errors such as the Sabaneta Dam, located in San Juan Province, Dominican Republic. This dam has presented great difficulties in the past hurricane seasons, the product of their low drainage capacity and also to begin its two landfills operating after the reservoir is lleno.Complejo Hydroelectric Sabaneta The area of influence of a dam stretching from the upper limits of the reservoir to the estuaries and coastal areas and offshore, and include reservoir, dam and river basin downstream from the dam. There are direct environmental impacts associated with construction of the dam (eg, dust, erosion, problems with the material provided and waste), but the most important impacts are the result of water impoundment, flooding the earth to form the reservoir, and alteration of water flow downstream.These effects exert direct impacts on soils, vegetation, wildlife and wildlands, fisheries, climate and human population of the area. The indirect effects of the dam include those associated with the construction, maintenance and operation of the dam (eg, access roads, construction camps, the power transmission lines) and the development of agricultural activities, industrial or municipal permits the dam. Besides the direct and indirect effects of dam construction on the environment, consider the effects of environment on the dam.The main environmental factors affecting the performance and life of the dam are those associated with the use of land, water and other resources in the catchment areas upstream of the reservoir (eg, agriculture, settlement, clearing the forest) that can cause greater accumulation of silt, and changes in water quantity and quality of reservoir and river. These aspects are addressed in engineering studies.