Western U.S. Yearly Hydropower Generation

 

Hydropower generation as the lowest during 2023 since 2001. There are a number of factors affecting annual hydropower generation:

1. Precipitation patterns

2.Snowpack: water is released over time as the snow slowly melts

3. Reservoir storage

4. Drought

These factors  illustrate the complex nature of hydropower generation which makes it difficult to forecast annual hydropower generation.