A probability-based model to quantify the impact of hydropeaking on habitat suitability in rivers

Bähar Jelovica, Hannu Marttila, Faisal Bin Ashraf, Bjørn Kløve, Ali Torabi Haghighi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

A negative effect of hydropower on river environment includes rapid changes in flow and habitat conditions. Any sudden flow change could force fish to move towards a refuge area in a short period of time, causing serious disturbances in the life cycle of the fish. A probability-based model was developed to quantify the impact of hydropeaking on habitat suitability for two fish species, brown trout (Salamo trutta) and Grayling (Thymallus thymallus). The model used habitat preference curves, river velocity and depth to develop the suitability maps. The suitability maps reveal that habitat suitability deteriorates as flow increases in the studied part of the river. The probability model showed that, on average, suitability indices are higher for adult grayling than juvenile trout in hydropeaking events in this part of the river. The method developed shows the potential to be used in river management and the evaluation of hydropeaking impacts in river systems affected by hydropower.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)490-500
Number of pages11
JournalRiver Research and Applications
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • alteration
  • habitat
  • hydropeaking
  • modeling
  • probability
  • river regulation

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