Low Impact Hydropower Institute

06/18/2026

Can renewable energy and healthy rivers coexist?

In a recent episode of Justice and Mercy Energy Services - JustEnergy podcast, Electric Equity featuring LIHI Executive Director Shannon Ames, the conversation explores what low-impact hydropower looks like in practice, how innovative fish passage technologies help support aquatic ecosystems, and why community voices play an important role in responsible energy development.

The episode also discusses:

💧 What makes hydropower "low impact"
🐟 How fish ladders, fish elevators, and even the "salmon cannon" work
⚡ Why hydropower remains important for energy access and grid reliability
🤝 How environmental protection and energy development can work together

Join the conversation and listen here: https://justiceandmercy.energy/hydropower.

05/27/2026

When Messalonskee Stream Hydro first pursued LIHI certification, market access was the goal. What they found along the way was a better way to operate — one that strengthened their relationships with resource agencies and helped ensure the river works for the communities that depend on it.

LIHI certification can provide access to REC markets, improve procurement eligibility, and give project owners a competitive advantage in grant applications.

For Messalonskee, it also meant transforming compliance into lasting environmental practice.

"It is always worth speaking with them to evaluate your project… LIHI can ensure that a project owner can still focus on maximizing generation while also being a steward for the river."

See how they did it!



https://lowimpacthydro.org/certification-a-pathway-to-improve-fish-passage-and-stakeholder-engagement/

05/16/2026

Get your students excited about environmental stewardship! 🌎⚡

At LIHI, we love helping the next generation experience hydropower in action through hands-on educational tours and classroom outreach.

Students visiting certified low-impact hydropower facilities get an up-close look at how clean energy is generated while protecting rivers, wildlife, and local ecosystems. From hydroelectric systems to fish passage technologies, these immersive experiences show how renewable energy and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

We also visit youth groups, classrooms, and career fairs to spark conversations about local biodiversity, climate solutions, cultural awareness, and future careers in STEM.

“There’s nothing better than seeing the lightbulb light up when students truly understand how hydropower works and its relationship to their communities,” said Program Director Maryalice Fischer, who recently spoke with 60 elementary and middle school students about careers in environmental science and renewable energy.

Executive Director Shannon Ames added, “Our youth are quick to grasp the complexities of hydropower. If we can attract some of them into the industry, our future is bright.”

Interested in scheduling a tour or speaker for your group? Email [email protected] to learn more!

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05/14/2026

Every river tells a story — and migratory fish are part of it. 🌊✨

This World Fish Migration Day, join a global effort to reconnect rivers, restore habitats, and protect the species that depend on healthy waterways to survive.

Small actions can make a big difference for our rivers and future generations.

Find out how to participate:
https://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/about/

Do you have your plans for ? Visit the Events tab on our website to find an event near you, or click "Join" to add your own event!

Need assistance planning an event? Check out our toolkit or email [email protected]!

Website: https://www.worldfishmigrationday.com/

04/22/2026

‼️Qualified reviewers wanted at LIHI‼️

The Low Impact Hydropower Institute relies on a small group of independent third-party reviewers to evaluate applications for LIHI Certification, ensuring hydropower facilities meet rigorous environmental and social standards.

We’re looking for professionals with expertise in hydropower and a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Reviewers serve as independent contractors, conducting application reviews remotely on a part-time, intermittent basis.

This is a meaningful opportunity for consultants, active professionals, or retirees who want to contribute their expertise to advancing responsible hydropower.

Qualifications:

🔵 10 years of experience in hydropower operations, engineering, environmental sciences, renewable energy, environmental policy, or other directly related field, or 7 years of experience and an advanced degree or professional registration in a related technical specialty.

🔵 Excellent communication skills and the ability to accurately interpret and convey technical information verbally and in writing to lay audiences

🔵 Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Dropbox, and the FERC e-library, and able to conduct web searches for relevant information

🔵 Good organizational skills and the ability to balance competing priorities

🔵 A commitment to meeting set deadlines for project completion

If this sounds interesting, we’d love to hear from you!
Please contact Maryalice Fischer, LIHI Certification Program Director, at
[email protected].

View Job Description Here: https://lowimpacthydro.org/.../Reviewer-Requirements-and...

04/22/2026

Earth Day has always been a time for action at LIHI—but right now, it feels like a call to do more.

More listening.
More learning.
More accountability.

Imagine if the Earth could tell us exactly what it needs. Would we be ready to respond?

This Earth Day, we challenge you to go beyond the moment:
What does your long-term commitment look like?

Because the most powerful promises aren’t spoken—they’re practiced.

👉 Tell us one action you’re committing to beyond April 22 in the comments.

03/11/2026

Is small hydropower always low impact? Not necessarily.

LIHI’s latest case study takes a deep dive into 25 years of real certification data to explore what truly influences the environmental and social impacts of hydropower facilities. The findings challenge a common assumption: that size alone determines impact.

From dam height and bypassed river reaches to operational choices and licensing history, the study shows that no single attribute tells the full story. Instead, each project must be evaluated based on how well it protects rivers, ecosystems, and communities.

📘 Learn what the data reveals about low-impact hydropower—and why performance matters more than capacity.

👉 Read the case study:https://lowimpacthydro.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Attributes-that-may-or-may-not-be-Indicative-of-the-Level-A-LIHI-Case-Study.pdf

01/28/2026

The Hydropower Foundation is now accepting applications for the Julie Keil Memorial Fund Scholarship!

This scholarship honors Julie Keil’s legacy as a leader who championed hydropower as a renewable energy resource and brought people together to protect and responsibly manage our nation’s water resources.

Who should apply?
Women in their sophomore–senior year (2026/2027 academic year) studying fields like engineering, environmental science, operations, stakeholder engagement, and related disciplines.

What’s included:
✨ Financial support based on merit and need
✈️ Travel to receive the award (expenses covered)

🗓 Deadline: April 24, 2026

Know a student who would be a great fit? Please share and help spread the word!

👉 Apply here: https://hydrofoundation.org/julie-a-keil-women-in-hydro-scholarship/
📩 Questions? Email: [email protected]

01/27/2026

Here are two events you should check out tomorrow...

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is hosting two free webinars you won’t want to miss if you work in or around hydropower.

⚡ Hydropower Environmental Decision Support (EDS) Toolkit Webinar
Learn how to better navigate environmental licensing and relicensing with practical guidance, demos, and real-world examples.

📅 Jan 28 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET | 10:00–11:30 AM PT
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/EDSToolkitWebinar
🔗 Learn more about the toolkit: https://bit.ly/HydroEDSToolkit

💧 Non-Powered Dam (NPD) Toolkit Webinar
This first session in a three-part series explores how INL, PNNL, and ORNL are using the NPD Toolkit to assess the potential for adding power to existing non-powered dams.

📅 Jan 28 | 12:00–1:00 PM MST | 2:00–3:00 PM ET
*Part 2 and 3 or scheduled for February 11th and 18th.

🔗 Register at: e5a5a364-17a8-4218-98d5-062478b2fbf5@4cf464b7-869a-4236-8da2-a98566485554" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e5a5a364-17a8-4218-98d5-062478b2fbf5@4cf464b7-869a-4236-8da2-a98566485554
🔗 Explore the tool: https://npd-hydro.inl.gov/

Both events include live demos, real-world use cases, and interactive Q&A.
👉 Sign up today and join the conversation.

01/23/2026

Tannery Island and Carthage Mill Projects Apply for Low Impact Certification, Public Comment Period Open!

LIHI is seeking public comment on these applications. Specifically, we are interested in knowing whether you think the Projects meet the LIHI Low Impact Certification Criteria, as revised in the 2nd Edition Handbook.

Comments that are directly tied to specific LIHI criteria (flows, water quality, fish passage, etc.) are most helpful, but all comments will be considered.

Comments on one or both projects may be submitted to the Institute by e-mail to [email protected] with “Tannery Island - Carthage Mill Project Comments” in the subject line.

Comments must be received on or before 5 pm Eastern time on March 24, 2026.