Eco-hydraulic modelling of the interactions between hydropeaking and river morphology

摘要: Hydropeaking related to hydropower operations produces adverse ecological effects that depend on its interaction with the channel morphology. A first quantitative attempt is proposed investigate eco-hydraulic response of different river morphologies hydropeaking waves based a two-dimensional hydraulic modelling approach. Physical habitat diversity, macroinvertebrate drift and fish stranding, all relevant for hydropeaking, are quantitatively investigated reference realistic hydro-morphological conditions regulated alpine streams. Habitat diversity stranding have strongest dependence morphology show nearly opposite behaviours increasing morphological complexity. Braided reaches most resilient offering highest very limited base-to-peak variation drift, while alternate bars extremely sensitive environments offer safer regions from stranding. Transitional between single-thread multi-thread best trade-offs. The method allows quantifying which extent same targets can be achieved by either restorations or base flow increases: in transitional morphologies, identical reduction reach-averaged risk might obtained halving width threefold increase; analogously, improvement macroinvertebrate-fed areas alternating increase 2.5 times width. Such quantification effectiveness complementary management strategies offers powerful tool support design restoration measures rivers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.