It's still absolute domination of life[1] for the sake of aesthetics. It's not exactly inexplicable to be a bit unsettled by it or the mindset that leads to it.

Comparisons to other human activity are only going to make it seem comparatively innocuous and there's a gulf of difference between the relative and the absolute.

[1] honestly the alive/not alive bit isn't even strictly that important. People are often fairly opposed to destroying various rock features, even when it's for the purpose of a very practical and utilitarian dam. Somethings resonate with people in a way that they want that something to be allowed to just be