A system and method are disclosed for environmental stabilization of a body of water. A body of water is stabilized by extracting water from a higher elevation body of water at a downhill flow rate, receiving the water at lower elevation body of water, and extracting water from the lower elevation body of water to a higher elevation body of water or the like at an uphill flow rate. In certain embodiments, the invention may also include extracting energy from the downhill flow rate and using at least a portion of the energy to generate an uphill flow rate. The system and method may also include temporarily adjusting the downhill and uphill flow rates in preparation for a high demand interval.