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Life Stage-Specific Hydropeaking Flow Rules

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel S. Hayes

    (Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria
    Forest Research Center (CEF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Miguel Moreira

    (Center for Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS), Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Isabel Boavida

    (Center for Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS), Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Melanie Haslauer

    (Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Günther Unfer

    (Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Bernhard Zeiringer

    (Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Franz Greimel

    (Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Stefan Auer

    (Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Teresa Ferreira

    (Forest Research Center (CEF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Stefan Schmutz

    (Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Peak-operating hydropower plants are usually the energy grid’s backbone by providing flexible energy production. At the same time, hydropeaking operations are considered one of the most adverse impacts on rivers, whereby aquatic organisms and their life-history stages can be affected in many ways. Therefore, we propose specific seasonal regulations to protect ecologically sensitive life cycle stages. By reviewing hydropeaking literature, we establish a framework for hydrological mitigation based on life-history stages of salmonid fish and their relationship with key parameters of the hydrograph. During migration and spawning, flows should be kept relatively stable, and a flow cap should be implemented to prevent the dewatering of spawning grounds during intragravel life stages. While eggs may be comparably tolerant to dewatering, post-hatch stages are very vulnerable, which calls for minimizing or eliminating the duration of drawdown situations and providing adequate minimum flows. Especially emerging fry are extremely sensitive to flow fluctuations. As fish then grow in size, they become less vulnerable. Therefore, an ‘emergence window’, where stringent thresholds on ramping rates are enforced, is proposed. Furthermore, time of day, morphology, and temperature changes must be considered as they may interact with hydropeaking. We conclude that the presented mitigation framework can aid the environmental enhancement of hydropeaking rivers while maintaining flexible energy production.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel S. Hayes & Miguel Moreira & Isabel Boavida & Melanie Haslauer & Günther Unfer & Bernhard Zeiringer & Franz Greimel & Stefan Auer & Teresa Ferreira & Stefan Schmutz, 2019. "Life Stage-Specific Hydropeaking Flow Rules," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:6:p:1547-:d:213765
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pfeiffer, Olivia & Nock, Destenie & Baker, Erin, 2021. "Wind energy's bycatch: Offshore wind deployment impacts on hydropower operation and migratory fish," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Maria João Costa & António N. Pinheiro & Isabel Boavida, 2019. "Habitat Enhancement Solutions for Iberian Cyprinids Affected by Hydropeaking: Insights from Flume Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Daniel Mameri & Rui Rivaes & João M. Oliveira & João Pádua & Maria T. Ferreira & José M. Santos, 2019. "Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Kuriqi, Alban & Pinheiro, António N. & Sordo-Ward, Alvaro & Bejarano, María D. & Garrote, Luis, 2021. "Ecological impacts of run-of-river hydropower plants—Current status and future prospects on the brink of energy transition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).

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