HYDROLOGIC MODIFICATION FROM HYDROELECTRIC POWER OPERATIONS IN A MOUNTAIN BASIN

摘要: The natural flow paradigm suggests that components of the streamflow regime and variability should be managed to maintain important ecosystem functions services. Mountain rivers can exhibit extreme provide critical aquatic habitat services but severely impacted by hydroelectric power (HEP) development operations will likely increase in future. hydrologic modification from HEP Upper San Joaquin River Basin, California, was evaluated across 15 river stream locations throughout basin. Flow modifications Bear Creek, an otherwise unimpacted high-elevation subbasin, were detail using a number metrics, including Indicators Hydrologic Alteration (IHA), environmental IHA, duration curves, ecodeficit comparisons equivalence testing. uncertainty metrics based on confidence intervals also for unimpaired (upstream) existing (impaired or downstream) conditions. Results showed median values changed considerably most under impaired conditions, direction extent change varied depending location metric. Metrics (coefficients dispersion) even more. Most Creek substantial, decreases high flows increases low-flow metrics. However, some increased because large flood during several years overwhelming bypassing dam/diversion structure. Uncertainty basin generally explicitly considered when evaluating mountain watersheds. A used objectives spatial scale, subset key IHA multiple sites other methods detailed information conjunction with assessment techniques at locations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.