In the feature article, " Hydropower: Energy from moving water" by the U.S Energy Information Center informs the readers about the procedure and history of hydropower. In order to understand hydropower, one will first need to understand the water cycles. The source of the water cycle has three steps, solar energy heats up bodies of water, then water vapor condenses into clouds and falls as precipitation. Finally, precipitation is collected from streams and rivers which empty into oceans and lakes, where the cycle then starts again.
To determine energy in moving water is done by the volume of water flow, and change in elevation from one point to another. Swiftly flowing water in big rivers carry a lot of energy in its flow ,like the Columbia river that forms the borders between Oregon and Washington. Water flowing rapidly from a high point has substantial energy in its flow, like the Niagara Falls. At both NiagraNiagara Falls and the Colombia river flows through a river or penstock, then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine to produce electricity.