Aquafornia’s Water Word of the Week from sister site Aquapedia is Hydroelectric Power, a newly added entry to the Water Education Foundation’s new interactive online water encyclopedia.

“Hydroelectric power is generated by the ability to turn falling water into electricity and in California accounts for about 15 percent of the state’s power supply annually,” according to Aquapedia’s definition. “Hydroelectric power is produced when water turns a turbine connected to a generator. This water is stored behind a dam at elevation. Gravity causes water to drop toward a turbine propeller. The falling water turns the turbine which produces power through the connected generator.”

Aquapedia’s entry also includes the following contents: Hydroelectric Power Overview, Hydroelectric Power and the Environment, and Hydroelectric Power and Climate Change.

In addition, Aquapedia lists resources to learn more about hydroelectric power, including the Foundation’s “Layperson’s Guide to Flood Management,” “Levees and Flood Protections: A Shared Responsibility, Western Water, May/June 2012,” “Are We Keeping Up With Water Infrastructure Needs? Western Water, January/February 2012,” “Making a Future for Fish: Preserving and Restoring Native Salmon and Trout, Western Water, January/February 2009,” and “Pumps, Pipes and Plants: Meeting Modern Water Infrastructure Needs, Western Water, July/August 2006.” There are also links to the California Energy Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other sources.

To receive breaking daily news on hydroelectric power, go to the related page on Aquapedia and click on “Search This Topic on Aquafornia” for the latest information.