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Assessment of Hydropower Sustainability in River Habitats and Aquatic Biota

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 5622

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydropower is the leading renewable energy source, contributing two-thirds of global electricity generation from all renewable sources combined. This renewable source has a large potential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts, being integral to the EU’s target of achieving at least 32 per cent of energy being from renewables by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050, as foreseen in the European Green Deal. Thus, hydropower can directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7: “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all”.

However, hydropower projects and the associated infrastructures have been outlined as emerging environmental threats to riverine ecosystems, causing severe declines in vertebrate populations, with a particular impact on migratory fish and their natural habitats, as a result of river fragmentation, the blockage of migratory routes, drifting, stranding, and the modification of natural flow and thermal regimes. Therefore, guaranteeing environmental hydropower sustainability requires an in-depth assessment of all these issues, taking into account that global warming will further stimulate conflicts in water use in a way that disturbs riverine ecosystems.

Science-based knowledge regarding the solutions necessary to counteract the environmental impacts of hydropower, and melding principles of aquatic ecology and engineering hydraulics, is thus urgently needed to assure hydropower sustainability.

This Special Issue aims to compile novel information on fundamental research and applications regarding the hydropower sustainability of river habitats and aquatic biota. Authors may contribute submissions that range from field studies to mesocosms and laboratory experiments that have application to real-world challenges.

Dr. José Maria Santos
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • small-scale/large-scale hydropower
  • run-of-river/pumped storage hydropower
  • hydropeaking
  • habitat use and modelling
  • physical and behavioural barriers
  • fish passage and migration
  • environmental flows
  • fish-friendly turbines
  • optimization of hydropower design and operations
  • riparian vegetation management
  • hydropower and interaction with other stressors

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 7178 KiB  
Article
Assessing Zebra Mussels’ Impact on Fishway Efficiency: McNary Lock and Dam Case Study
by Avery Schemmel, David L. Smith, Marcela Politano, Damian Walter and Jeremy Crossland
Water 2024, 16(12), 1671; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121671 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 784
Abstract
The Columbia River Basin faces a threat from the potential invasion of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), notorious for their ability to attach to various substrates, including concrete, which is common in fishway construction. Extensive mussel colonization within fishways may affect fish [...] Read more.
The Columbia River Basin faces a threat from the potential invasion of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), notorious for their ability to attach to various substrates, including concrete, which is common in fishway construction. Extensive mussel colonization within fishways may affect fish passage by altering flow patterns or creating physical barriers, leading to increased travel times, or potentially preventing passage altogether. Many factors affect mussel habitat suitability including vectors of dispersal, water parameters, and various hydrodynamic quantities, such as water depth, velocity, and turbulence. The objective of this study is to assess the potential for zebra mussels to attach to fishway surfaces and form colonies in the McNary Lock and Dam Oregon-shore fishway and evaluate the potential impact of this infestation on the fishway’s efficiency. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the McNary Oregon-shore fishway was developed using the open-source code OpenFOAM, with the two-phase solver interFoam. Mesh quality is critical to obtain a reliable solution, so the numerical mesh was refined near the free surface and all solid surfaces to properly capture the complex flow patterns and free surface location. The simulation results for the 6-year average flow rate showed good agreement with the measured water column depth over each weir. Regions susceptible to mussel infestation were identified, and an analysis was performed to determine the mussel’s preference to colonize as a function of the depth-averaged velocity, water depth, and wall shear stress. Habitat suitability criteria were applied to the output of the hydraulic variables from the CFD solution and provided insight into the potential impact on the fishway efficiency. Details on the mesh construction, model setup, and numerical results are presented and discussed. Full article
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Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>A three-dimensional schematic shows the flat and sloped sections of the Oregon-shore fishway relative to the forebay and tailrace [<a href="#B24-water-16-01671" class="html-bibr">24</a>]. The zoomed-in section shows a perspective, side, and top view of the sloped sections of the fishway channel. The fishway weirs and bed are colored by the elevation in meters.</p>
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<p>Full fishway model, which corresponds with Sim1, and sectional model boundaries, which correspond with Sim2–Sim5.</p>
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<p>Block boundaries defined in the blockMesh dictionary, which determine the cell sizing of the final mesh. Sections of the final merged block are shown and enlarged to show details of the cell direction and spacing.</p>
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<p>Vertical slices through the computational volume show the mesh detail of Sim2. Sim1–Sim5 contain bed, wall, weir, and free surface refinement, and Sim2–Sim5 contain additional prismatic cell layers near the bed, weir, and wall surfaces.</p>
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<p>Inlet, outlet, and diffuser boundary locations within Sim1. Diffusers are numbered in ascending order from downstream to upstream and are considered additional inlet boundaries.</p>
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<p>Water column depth above each weir near the crest. Weirs are numbered in ascending order from downstream to upstream. Reported water column depth is represented by the dotted line.</p>
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<p>The hydrodynamic field of a sloping section of the fishway with (<b>a</b>) an iso-surface of the phase-volume fraction to represent the water surface and (<b>b</b>) vertical slices through the water volume with uniform velocity vectors to show the complexity and direction of flow.</p>
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<p>A vertical slice through the fishway downstream end near the diffuser inlet boundaries contoured by the velocity magnitude with velocity vectors. Vertical scale is enlarged 2.5× for detail.</p>
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<p>Contours of the preference index functions applied to the nodal values for (<b>a</b>) water column depth and (<b>b</b>) depth-averaged velocity variables for Sim1. Velocity contours exclude vertical surfaces.</p>
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<p>Preference index histogram for nodal values of water column depth and depth-averaged velocity for Sim1. Cell count for velocity excludes vertical surfaces.</p>
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<p>Contours of the preference index functions applied to the nodal values for wall shear stress for: (<b>a</b>) Sim2, (<b>b</b>) Sim3, (<b>c</b>) Sim4, and (<b>d</b>) Sim5.</p>
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<p>Preference index histogram for nodal values of wall shear stress for the sectional models (Sim2–Sim4).</p>
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30 pages, 11077 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impacts of Changing Connectivity of Hydropower Dams on the Distribution of Fish Species in the 3S Rivers, a Tributary of the Lower Mekong
by Peter-John Meynell, Marc J. Metzger and Neil Stuart
Water 2024, 16(11), 1505; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16111505 - 24 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1454
Abstract
Hydropower plants (HPPs) create barriers across rivers and fragment aquatic ecosystems, river reaches and habitats. The reservoirs they create slow the flowing water and convert the riverine into lacustrine ecosystems. The barriers created by HPPs interrupt the seasonal migrations of many fish species, [...] Read more.
Hydropower plants (HPPs) create barriers across rivers and fragment aquatic ecosystems, river reaches and habitats. The reservoirs they create slow the flowing water and convert the riverine into lacustrine ecosystems. The barriers created by HPPs interrupt the seasonal migrations of many fish species, while the reservoirs drive away fish species that are dependent on flowing water habitats. This paper assesses the distribution of fish species in the 3S rivers—Sekong, Sesan and Sre Pok, in Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam—using IUCN Red List-assessed species distribution by HydroBasin Level 8 from the freshwater reports of the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) and their connectivity with the Mekong. There are currently 61 commissioned dams in the 3S basins and a further 2 under construction, 23 of which are larger than the 30 MW installed capacity. A further 24 HPPs are proposed or planned in these basins. The changes in connectivity caused by the dams are measured by adapting the River Class Connectivity Index (RCICLASS); the original connectivity of the 3S basin taking into account the two major waterfalls in the Sesan and Sre Pok rivers was estimated at 80.9%. With existing dams, the connectivity has been reduced to 23.5%, and with all planned dams, it is reduced further to 10.9%. The resulting re-distribution of fish species occurring throughout the 3S basins is explored, by focusing on migratory guilds and threatened and endemic fish species. With all dams built, it is predicted that the total numbers of species in HydroBasins above the dams will be reduced by 40–50%. The Threatened Species Index is estimated to fall from over 30 near the confluence of the three rivers to less than 10 above the lowest dams on the 3S rivers. The analysis demonstrates how widely available global and regional datasets can be used to assess the impacts of dams on fish biodiversity in this region. Full article
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Figure 1
<p>Data used and processes for analysis and mapping.</p>
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<p>Context of 3S river basin within the Lower Mekong Basin.</p>
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<p>Schematic of the main large-storage hydropower plants in the 3S basin, with HPPs under con-struction (<span class="html-fig-inline" id="water-16-01505-i001"><img alt="Water 16 01505 i001" src="/water/water-16-01505/article_deploy/html/images/water-16-01505-i001.png"/></span>) on Sekong and major waterfalls (<span class="html-fig-inline" id="water-16-01505-i002"><img alt="Water 16 01505 i002" src="/water/water-16-01505/article_deploy/html/images/water-16-01505-i002.png"/></span>). Adapted with permission from the Stimson Center [<a href="#B2-water-16-01505" class="html-bibr">2</a>].</p>
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<p>Locations of hydropower plants in 3S rivers with installed capacity and status.</p>
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<p>River reach connectivity index scores by HydroBasin with (<b>a</b>) existing dams and (<b>b</b>) all future dams.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5 Cont.
<p>River reach connectivity index scores by HydroBasin with (<b>a</b>) existing dams and (<b>b</b>) all future dams.</p>
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<p>Numbers of fish species by HydroBasin—without dams (IBAT Freshwater report, March 2024).</p>
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<p>Distribution of 3S super-endemic species in 3S Level 8 HydroBasins—without dams.</p>
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<p>Distribution of endangered fish species—Threatened Fish Species Index—(<b>a</b>) without dams and (<b>b</b>) with existing dams in place.</p>
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<p>Predicted numbers of fish species in 3S rivers if all dams are built.</p>
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<p>Risks to rithron-resident species from hydropower reservoir formation.</p>
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21 pages, 2705 KiB  
Article
Seasonal and Size-Related Fish Microhabitat Use Upstream and Downstream from Small Hydropower Plants
by José M. Santos, Renan Leite, Maria J. Costa, Francisco Godinho, Maria M. Portela, António N. Pinheiro and Isabel Boavida
Water 2024, 16(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010037 - 21 Dec 2023
Viewed by 2213
Abstract
Hydropower can have significant impacts on riverine ecosystems due to hydropeaking (i.e., artificial rapid and short-term fluctuations in water flow and water levels downstream and upstream of hydropower stations) that negatively affect downstream fish. However, when it comes to analyzing species habitat use [...] Read more.
Hydropower can have significant impacts on riverine ecosystems due to hydropeaking (i.e., artificial rapid and short-term fluctuations in water flow and water levels downstream and upstream of hydropower stations) that negatively affect downstream fish. However, when it comes to analyzing species habitat use and availability above and below small hydropower plants (SHPPs), studies conducted at the microhabitat scale are scarcer, particularly in Mediterranean rivers. The goal of this study is to assess the seasonal (early and late summer) and size-related (juveniles and adults) microhabitat use by native fish above and below SHPPs. Fish were sampled by a modified point electrofishing procedure, and a multivariate approach was used to analyze microhabitat use and availability data from sites located upstream (reference) and downstream (disturbed) from two SHPPs in northeast Portugal. Cover and water depth were the most influential variables in the use of microhabitat for all species at both the reference and disturbed sites, although some differences in the variable rankings were found. Leuciscids exhibited similar patterns of non-random (i.e., selective) microhabitat use between the reference and the disturbed sites. Overall, the seasonal and size-related patterns in species microhabitat use were similar, with the majority of species displaying seasonal patterns in microhabitat use from early summer to late summer. This study showed that differences in fish microhabitat use between downstream SHPP and upstream reference sites were negligible. Cover might have had a significant role in tempering the effects of detrimental environmental conditions, namely, peaking flows, by providing hydraulic shelter, highlighting the need to maintain riparian vegetation strips and mosaics of submerged aquatic macrophytes, as well as the provision of coarse substrata that can be critical for fish. Future studies are needed to better clarify how different size classes of fish select microhabitats when facing past and present hydropeaking conditions. Full article
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Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Study area (Avelames and Couto river basins), showing the location of the reference (upstream) and disturbed (downstream) sites sampled in early and late summer 2021, as well as those of each SHPP.</p>
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<p>Hydrographs of (<b>a</b>) Couto and (<b>b</b>) Avelames rivers, downstream from Covas do Barroso and Bragado SHPPs, respectively. Both hydrographs present the turbined flow released by SHPP in the period from 1 February 2021 to 30 September 2021. Whenever the SHPPs are not operating (turbined flow = 0 m<sup>3</sup>/s), the discharges assigned to ecological and irrigation purposes are released to maintain rivers’ connectivity. The timing of fish sampling campaigns in early (ES) and late summer (LS) is marked with an arrow.</p>
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<p>Principal component analysis (PCA) of seasonal and size-related microhabitat use by nase (<span class="html-italic">Pseudochondrostoma duriense</span>) at (<b>a</b>) reference river sites and at (<b>b</b>) river sites affected by peak-operating SHPPs. Mean PCA scores are shown for species size classes (Juv—juveniles; Adt—adults), in early summer (ES) and late summer (LS). Variables with loadings ≥ |0.70| are also shown. Only species size classes with sample sizes ≥ 10 were considered (see <a href="#water-16-00037-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a> for details).</p>
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<p>Principal component analysis (PCA) of seasonal and size-related microhabitat use by chub (<span class="html-italic">Squalius carolitertii</span>) at (<b>a</b>) reference river sites and at (<b>b</b>) river sites affected by peak-operating SHPPs. Mean PCA scores are shown for species size classes (Juv—juveniles; Adt—adults) in early summer (ES) and late summer (LS). Variables with loadings ≥ |0.70| are also shown.</p>
Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Principal component analysis (PCA) of seasonal and size-related microhabitat use by calandino (<span class="html-italic">Squalius alburnoides</span>) at (<b>a</b>) reference river sites and at (<b>b</b>) river sites affected by peak-operating SHPPs. Mean PCA scores are shown for adult fish (no sufficient number of samples for juveniles were obtained), in early summer (ES) and late summer (LS). Variables with loadings ≥ |0.70| are also shown. Only species size classes with sample sizes ≥ 10 were considered (see <a href="#water-16-00037-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a> for details).</p>
Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Principal component analysis (PCA) of seasonal and size-related microhabitat use by trout (<span class="html-italic">Salmo trutta</span>) at (<b>a</b>) reference river sites and at (<b>b</b>) river sites affected by peak-operating SHPPs. Mean PCA scores are shown for species size classes (Juv—juveniles; Adt—adults) in early summer (ES) and late summer (LS). Variables with loadings ≥ |0.70| are also shown. Only species size classes with sample sizes ≥ 10 were considered (see <a href="#water-16-00037-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a> for details).</p>
Full article ">

Review

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 1542 KiB  
Review
Global Applications of the CE-QUAL-W2 Model in Reservoir Eutrophication: A Systematic Review and Perspectives for Brazil
by Sarah Haysa Mota Benicio, Raviel Eurico Basso and Klebber Teodomiro Martins Formiga
Water 2024, 16(24), 3556; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243556 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 493
Abstract
The CE-QUAL-W2 model is a significant tool extensively used in lentic environments to analyze eutrophication and water quality. This systematic review of the CE-QUAL-W2 hydrodynamic model revealed its widespread application in analyzing reservoir eutrophication. A total of 151 relevant papers were identified, of [...] Read more.
The CE-QUAL-W2 model is a significant tool extensively used in lentic environments to analyze eutrophication and water quality. This systematic review of the CE-QUAL-W2 hydrodynamic model revealed its widespread application in analyzing reservoir eutrophication. A total of 151 relevant papers were identified, of which 38 were selected after rigorous analysis, showcasing studies in environmental sciences and water resources. In 2021, we saw the highest number of publications, with six papers; 2022 achieved the highest number of citations, with 113. The model has been widely used across countries, with Iran leading in the number of publications, followed by China and Brazil. The standard combination of CE-QUAL-W2 with the SWAT model reflects its effectiveness in complex watershed studies. CE-QUAL-W2 has demonstrated the ability to predict future environmental conditions and diagnose environmental extremes, and it can calculate various hydrodynamic and water quality parameters. Its increasing use in high-impact scientific journals underscores its global relevance and particular promise for Brazilian aquatic environment studies due to its efficiency and accessibility. With its significant potential, this model is poised to enhance the understanding and management of water resources, contributing to environmental sustainability and inspiring optimism for future applications on a global scale. Full article
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Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Flowchart of the methodology adopted in this systematic review of the CE-QUAL-W2 model. This flowchart illustrates the steps taken to identify, select, and analyze relevant studies on applying the CE-QUAL-W2 hydrodynamic model, focusing on its use in lentic environments for assessing eutrophication and water quality.</p>
Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Distribution of journals and categories based on the area of study of the articles analyzed, including the number of citations and publications for the selected works. This figure categorizes the journals that published studies on the CE-QUAL-W2 model. It specifies their thematic areas and provides quantitative data on citations and publications to highlight the model’s impact in different research fields.</p>
Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Countries studied in the selected works on the CE-QUAL-W2 model application. This map indicates the geographic distribution of research using the CE-QUAL-W2 model, emphasizing the countries where it has been applied most frequently, including Iran, China, and Brazil. The analysis provides insights into the global adoption of the model in various environmental and water resource studies [<a href="#B12-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">12</a>,<a href="#B13-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">13</a>,<a href="#B14-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">14</a>,<a href="#B18-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">18</a>,<a href="#B21-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">21</a>,<a href="#B22-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">22</a>,<a href="#B23-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">23</a>,<a href="#B24-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">24</a>,<a href="#B25-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">25</a>,<a href="#B26-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">26</a>,<a href="#B27-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">27</a>,<a href="#B28-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">28</a>,<a href="#B29-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">29</a>,<a href="#B30-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">30</a>,<a href="#B31-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">31</a>,<a href="#B32-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">32</a>,<a href="#B33-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">33</a>,<a href="#B34-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">34</a>,<a href="#B35-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">35</a>,<a href="#B36-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">36</a>,<a href="#B37-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">37</a>,<a href="#B38-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">38</a>,<a href="#B39-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">39</a>,<a href="#B40-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">40</a>,<a href="#B41-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">41</a>,<a href="#B42-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">42</a>,<a href="#B43-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">43</a>,<a href="#B44-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">44</a>,<a href="#B45-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">45</a>,<a href="#B46-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">46</a>,<a href="#B47-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">47</a>,<a href="#B48-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">48</a>,<a href="#B49-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">49</a>,<a href="#B50-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">50</a>,<a href="#B51-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">51</a>,<a href="#B52-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">52</a>,<a href="#B53-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">53</a>,<a href="#B54-water-16-03556" class="html-bibr">54</a>].</p>
Full article ">
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