The water behind Hoover Dam in Nevada is 221 m higher than the Colorado River below it. At what rate must water pass through the hydraulic turbines of this dam to produce 50 MW of power if the turbines are 100 percent efficient?

23.06262m^3/s

Explanation:

The volume flow rate of the water is determined from the needed power output and the elevation difference:

Where, height (h) = 221m, power (w) = 50MW=50*10^6w

Density of water (ρ) = 1000kg/m^3

Efficiency of turbine (η) = 100%=1

V=W/ρηgh

=50*10^6m^3 / (1) * (1000) * (9.81) * (221) s=23.06262m^3/s