Impact of Urbanization on the Hydrology of Ganga Basin (India)

Large scale emigrations from rural areas to urban areas and population growth have been uninterrupted and accelerating phenomena in parts of Ganga basin, where urbanization is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Urban agglomeration is causing radical changes in groundwater recharge and modifying the existing mechanisms. Majority of the cities are sited on unconfined or semi confined aquifers depend upon river water and groundwater for most of their water supply and disposal of most of their liquid effluents and solid residues to the rivers and ground. There has also been an inevitable rise in waste production. Drainage of surface water has been disrupted as the small natural channels and low lying areas have been in filled, often with municipal waste. Total water potential of the Ganga basin including surface water potential and ground water potential is around 525.02 km³ and 170.00 km³ respectively. Basin supports approximately 42% of the total population in India. Water tables are declining at approximately an average of 0.20 m per year in many parts of the basin and there is a trend of deteriorating groundwater quality. The demand of water has been increased many folds and most of the areas are highly reliant upon the groundwater to meet this increasing demand for water, but unfortunately degradation of groundwater both in terms of quantity and quality has deteriorated the situation. Studies shows that change in climate may increase temperature by 2 to 6°C and can reduce precipitation up to 16%, which could reduce the groundwater recharge by 50%. In densely populated Ganga basin urban drainage consumes a high proportion of the investments into urban infrastructure and needs integrated approach for the sustainable development of water management, water education regarding conservation and pollution caused by urbanization.     

Periphyton contribution to nitrogen dynamics in the discharge from a wastewater treatment plant

To evaluate the importance of periphyton to nitrogen dynamics in the discharge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), we examined changes in total and inorganic nitrogen content downstream from a WWTP on the Kurose River in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. At 0.7 km downstream of the WWTP (point A), NH₄⁺?N was the dominant form of inorganic nitrogen, but concentrations decreased rapidly to 5 km downstream (point B). In contrast, no significant change in the [NO₂^?+ + NO₃^?]?N concentration was observed between the two points. Total nitrogen (TN) load decreased significantly between the two points, suggesting that sorption and/or denitrification occurred in the river channel. Potential rates of nitrogen sorption and transformation by periphyton were determined in a loboratory experiment in which changes in the nitrogen content of river water were examined in an acrylic chamber with periphyton. Nitrification and nitrogen removal occurred mainly in the periphyton. The contributions of periphyton activity to TN and NH₄⁺?N decrease in the field, as estimated from the results of the laboratory experiments, were 6–18% and 23–72%, respectively. These results suggest that periphyton plays an important role in decreasing NH₄⁺?N concentration in the discharge from wastewater treatment plants.     

Channel response to grade-control structures on Muddy Creek,Mississippi

Grade-control structures are commonly employed to prevent bed degradation and concomitant bank instability of channelized reaches of rivers. A study of a 20 km reach of a coastal plains stream was conducted in 1985 to determine the effects of 12 rock-lined grade-control structures that were installed between 1977 and 1983 prior to channel excavation. An Allowable Tractive Stress Method (TR.25) was used to determine the placement of grade-control structures, and the gradients between them, for a trapezoidal-shaped channel designed to convey the 1 year recurrence interval peak flow. The design was successful in preventing bed degradation and bank erosion over the period of observation. However, unpredicted channel responses have occurred. Aggradation is apparent between control structures, and a two-stage compound channel has formed as a consequence of berm development, especially in the lower, older subreach. In the lower subreach, the vegetated berms have constricted the cross-sectional area at the design discharge (99 m³ s^?1), and as a result, water-surface slope, shear stress, and unit-stream power have incresed. Bed material has become coarser and better sorted, which has increased shear intensity values. These unexpected changes are attributed to the lack of adequate consideration of the requirement for balance between sediment supply and transport in the TR.25 procedure; seven tributaries contribute sediment to the main channel of the study reach. It appears that the increased energy is utilized in bedload transport rather than channel erosion. This study demonstrates that the TR.25 method is too conservative if significant amounts of sediment are being supplied to the design channel. In such cases, adjustments in channel morphology will increase the energy to accommodate bedload transport.     

Gross channel changes along the Durance River,Southern France,over the last 100 years using cartographic data

Gross channel changes for the Durance were determined using topographic maps from the 1890s and 1980s. Various width parameters were measured at 1 km intervals over 189 km from the Rhône junction at Avignon to La Saulce, some 31 km downstream of the dam at Serre Ponc¸on. During this period channel size has been considerably reduced. This can be attributed to four factors, two natural and two human induced. Firstly, there was a reduction in effective runoff at the end of the Little Ice Age (late 19th century). Secondly, runoff was further reduced with lower precipitation after about 1940. Thirdly, channel widths have been reduced by bank protection and by flood mitigation works. Finally, large‐scale river regulation by EDF (Electricité de France), completed in the early 1960s, includes large dams to store alpine runoff, concrete canals to convey released water through some 20 power stations, and barrages to intercept tributary runoff and divert flows into the canals. In the lower Mediterranean part of the river, some of the diverted waters are discharged into irrigation and urban water canals (about 114 m³ s⁻¹) and the rest into the Etang de Berre. Only about 1% of the mean discharge now reaches the Rhône. Discussion of available research provides insight into the four impacts, including additional comparative post‐regulatory evidence from the Syndicat Mixte, a group concerned with environmental problems in the lower river. Evidence for channel change in lower parts of tributaries and for bed incision was found to be less conclusive. Such impacts may have been reduced by the interruptions of long‐profile continuity by barrages and dams, and by lower discharges. Such discontinuities have adversely affected the ecology, low environmental flows and treated sewage dispersion. With some exceptions, environmental sustainability has not been a major issue because the Durance is such an important economic resource in terms of power, urban and irrigation waters, and building materials. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

River channel cutoff dynamics,Sacramento River,California, USA

We measured patterns of river channel migration and cutoff between 1904 and 1997 on a 160 km meandering alluvial reach of the Sacramento River by intersecting a sequential set of river channel centrelines mapped from a field survey and aerial photography. We identified approximate dates and locations of cutoffs and quantified cutoff dimensions. Twenty‐seven chute and 11 partial cutoffs occurred over this 93‐year time interval, with an average of one cutoff approximately every 2.5 years or 0.0029 cutoffs per kilometre per year. The average rate of lateral channel change was over the study period was 5.5 ± 0.6 m year^?1 (approximately 0.02 channel widths per year) due to progressive migration and cutoff combined. An average of 5% of the total channel length moved laterally via chute cutoff at a rate of 22.1 ± 3.3 m year^?1 versus 94% of channel length that moved via progressive migration at a rate of 4.7 ± 0.5 m year^?1. The remaining 1% of channel length migrated via partial cutoff at a rate of 13.0 ± 2.8 m year^?1. Although channel cutoff was less predominant mode of channel change than progressive migration in terms of channel length, an average of 20% of the total floodplain area change between successive centrelines was attributable to cutoffs. Peak cutoff frequency was concentrated temporally between 1964 and 1987 and was also spatially clustered in specific active sub‐reaches along the valley axis over the entire study period. We hypothesize that the probability of channel cutoff is a function of both channel geometry and discharge. Bends that experienced chute cutoff displayed an average sinuosity of 1.97 ± 0.1, an average radius of curvature of 2.1 ± 0.2 channel widths and an average entrance angle of 111 ± 7°, as opposed to average values for bends migrating progressively of 1.31 ± 0.01, 2.8 ± 0.1 and 66 ± 1°, respectively. The sinuosity of Sacramento River bends experiencing chute cutoff appears to have been consistently declining from 2.25 ± 0.35 channel widths in 1904 to 1.54 ± 0.23 channel widths in 1987. We hypothesize that this trend may be due in part to the influence of land‐use changes, such as the conversion of riparian forest to agriculture, on the ‘erodibility’ of bank and floodplain materials. For the post‐dam flow regime (1937 on), cutoff frequency was significantly correlated with an estimate of cumulative overbank flow. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of an urban centre on the nitrogen cycle processes of epilithic biofilms during a summer low‐water period *

Nitrogen transformations in epilithic biofilms of a large gravel bed river, the Garonne, France, has been studied upstream (one site) and downstream (four sites) of a large urban centre (Toulouse, 740 000 inhabitants). High biomass, up to 49 g AFDM m^?2 (ashes free dry matter) and 300 mg chlorophyll a m^?2 (Chl. a), were recorded at 6 and 12 km downstream from the main wastewater treatment plant outlet. The lowest records upstream and larger downstream (less than 16 g AFDM m^?2 or 120 mg Chl. a m^?2) could be explained by recent water fall (early summer low‐water period). Measurements of nitrogen exchange at the biofilm–overlying water interface were performed in incubation chambers under light and dark conditions. The addition of acetylene at the mid‐incubation time allowed evaluation of both nitrification (variation in NH₄⁺ flux after the ammonium monooxygenase inhibition) and denitrification (N₂O accumulation related to the inhibition of N₂O reduction). Denitrification (D_w) and nitrification rates were maximum at sites close to the city discharges in dark conditions (up to 9.1 and 5.6 mg N m^?2 h^?1, respectively). Unexpected denitrification activities in light conditions (up to 1.4 mg N m^?2 h^?1) at these sites provided evidence for enhanced nitrogen self‐purification downstream. As confirmed by most probable number (MPN) counts, high nitrification rates in biofilm close downstream were related to enhanced (more than almost 3 log) nitrifying bacteria densities (up to 7.6×10⁹ MPN m^?2). Downstream of an urban centre, nitrogen transformations in the biofilm appeared to be influenced by the occurrence of an adapted microflora which is inoculated or stimulated by anthropic pollution. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regulation leads to increases in riparian vegetation,but not direct allochthonous inputs,along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon,Arizona

Dams and associated river regulation have led to the expansion of riparian vegetation, especially nonnative species, along downstream ecosystems. Nonnative saltcedar is one of the dominant riparian plants along virtually every major river system in the arid western United States, but allochthonous inputs have never been quantified along a segment of a large river that is dominated by saltcedar. We developed a novel method for estimating direct allochthonous inputs along the 387 km‐long reach of the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam that utilized a GIS vegetation map developed from aerial photographs, empirical and literature‐derived litter production data for the dominant vegetation types, and virtual shorelines of annual peak discharge (566 m³ s^?1 stage elevation). Using this method, we estimate that direct allochthonous inputs from riparian vegetation for the entire reach studied total 186 metric tons year^?1, which represents mean inputs of 470 gAFDM m^?1 year^?1 of shoreline or 5.17 gAFDM m^?2 year^?1 of river surface. These values are comparable to allochthonous inputs for other large rivers and systems that also have sparse riparian vegetation. Nonnative saltcedar represents a significant component of annual allochthonous inputs (36% of total direct inputs) in the Colorado River. We also estimated direct allochthonous inputs for 46.8 km of the Colorado River prior to closure of Glen Canyon Dam using a vegetation map that was developed from historical photographs. Regulation has led to significant increases in riparian vegetation (270–319% increase in cover, depending on stage elevation), but annual allochthonous inputs appear unaffected by regulation because of the lower flood peaks on the post‐dam river. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of river regulation on nitrogen and phosphorus mass transport in a large south American river

The Paraná upper reaches, above the confluence with the Paraguay River, drains a predominantly humid, tropical-subtropical basin that has been extensively altered by anthropogenic activities. Deforestation followed by intense mechanized agriculture has progressively increased in the last decades. Many industrial settlements and hydroelectric impoundments have been developed. Suspended matter, total phosphorus, and inorganic nitrogen exportation rates were estimated at 14 t km^?2 y^?1, 28kg TP km^?2 y^?1 and 188kg N km ^?2 y^?1 respectively. These rates are compartively low when compared to other areas of the world. It was estimated that riverine mass transport represented roughly 6 per cent of the phosphorus and 20 per cent of the nitrogen inputs in the basin. Mass transport of suspended matter and soluble reactive phosphorus are lower and inorganic nitrogen higher than in 1967–1969. Siltation in the man-made lakes reduced both suspended matter and phosphorus transport. Inorganic nitrogen increase is thought to be related to increased fertilizer inputs.     

Channel planform change on the river dee meanders, 1876–1992

Channel planform change was investigated along an 18 km section of the River Dee on the Welsh-English border by overlaying information from historical maps and air photographs. The information on river planform change spans the last 115 years, during which time the river has been subject to increasing flow regulation, which may have affected its planform. The downstream location of the reach provides two additional factors which may have an impact on the nature and rate of planform change through their influence on energy conditions in the reach: a tidal backwater influence on the downstream section of the reach; and a low angle of slope. The reach has shown very small changes in planform over the last 115 years, which have been successfully identified by a geographical information system (GIS)-based data handling methodology, which not only allows the estimation of a variety of indices of change, but also supports the estimation of the potential errors associated with registering the historical sources to a common base and digitizing the channel boundary locations. The study is successful in identifying channel planform change because it has utilized a GIS-based as opposed to a manual approach, but it represents the lower limit to which bank movement can be confidently identified in a low-power river environment from 1:10000 scale sources. The changes identified by the GIS-based methodology include a decrease in channel mobility in a downstream direction; a predominantly oscillatory movement pattern in locations where channel movement has occurred; and an apparent propagation of a decrease in channel width downstream through the reach during the period since 1949, which is the main period of increasing flow regulation.     

Catchment Erosion and Sediment Delivery in a Limno-Reservoir Basin Using a Simple Methodology

Accelerated soil erosion is a threat for the societies due to the loss of ecosystems services. Soil erosion and sediment delivery have been assessed in a small catchment of Central Spain with a new water body, the Pareja Limno-reservoir, located in its outlet. This limno-reservoir was created in 2006 with environmental and recreational purposes in the riverine zone of a large reservoir. Sedimentation risk is an issue of concern regarding limno-reservoirs environmental feasibility. Thus, the study of the soil erosion in the Pareja Limno-reservoir catchment and its sediment delivery seemed of the utmost importance. In this paper we establish an affordable and simple methodology to address it. A soil erosion and deposition monitoring network was installed in the Ompólveda River basin (≈88 km²), which flows into the Pareja Limno-reservoir. Results obtained were related with those from a sedimentation study previously carried out in the limno-reservoir. Gross hillslope erosion in the catchment was 6.0 Mg ha^?1 year^?1, which is in agreement with values reported for Mediterranean areas. After subtraction of the deposition measured, a soil loss of 1.2 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 was found in the catchment. Sediment delivery ratio (SDR) was estimated to be 3.8 %. SDR is low as a result of the low connectivity between the stream network and the limno-reservoir. Some local characteristics may also have a secondary influence in the low SDR value. Results obtained support the environmental feasibility of the Pareja Limno-reservoir from the sedimentation risk perspective. They also demonstrate that the methodology followed allows the assessment of soil loss and sediment delivery at a catchment scale, and the identification of areas where the erosion problems are most severe.     

Possibilities and challenges of expanding dimensions of waterway downstream of Three Gorges Dam

The waterway in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River has long been known as the Golden Waterway and has served as an important link in the construction of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.Therefore,expanding its dimensions is a significant goal,particularly given the long-range cumulative erosion occurring downstream of the Three Gorges Dam(TGD),which has been concentrated in the dry river channel.With the regulation of the volume from upstream reservoirs and the TGD,the minimum discharge and water level of the river downstream are increasing,and creating favorable conditions for the increase of the depth of the waterway.The discharge compensation effect during the dry season offsets the decline in the water level of the river channel caused by the down-cutting of part of the riverbed,but the minimum navigable water level of the segment near the dam still shows a declining trend.In recent years,several waterway remediation projects have been implemented in the downstream reaches of the TGD and although the waterway depth and width have been increased,the channel dimensions are still insufficient in the Yichang-Anqing reach(with a total length of 1026 km),as compared to the upstream reservoir area and the deep water channel in the downstream tidal reaches.A comprehensive analysis of the water depth and the number and length of shoals in the waterway indicates that its dimensions can be increased to 4.5 m x 200 m and 6.0 m x 200 m in the Yichang-Wuhan and Wuhan-Anqing reaches,respectively.This is also feasible given the remediation technologies currently available,but remediation projects need to be coordinated with those for flood prevention and ecological protection.     

Serial discontinuities in a Rocky mountain river. I. Distribution and abundance of plecoptera

Samples were taken year-round at eleven sites along the altitudinal profile (2900-1400 m a.s.l.) of the Gunnison River, a 329 km tributary of the Colorado River, to document the distribution of the Plecoptera and to evaluate responses to hypolimnial-release dams in the headwaters and middle reaches. Twenty-two species were present, with the greatest species richness occurring in an unregulated segment upstream of the middle reach dams; average nymphal biomass over the study period (175 organisms, 395 mg dry mass m^?2) was also greatest in this segment. Only four species (58 organisms, 48 mg m^?2) were present in the tailwaters of the headwater dam and values were greatly reduced (nine species; 35 organisms, 180 mg m^?2) below the middle reach dams. The stonefly community recovered ca. 80 km downstream from the last dam (15 species; 244 organisms, 250 mg m^?2), apparently in response to natural resetting of environmental conditions corresponding to those above the middle reach dams. At the most downstream site (11) only four species (four organisms, 16 mg m^?2) were present. The observed distributional pattern is a classic serial discontinuity in response to hypolimnial stream regulation in a temperate latitude river.     

Bank erosion in a macrotidal tropical river: Exploring the relative impact of boat wash on riverbank erosion

Macrotidal tropical rivers are dynamic systems where wet‐season floods and tidal flows cause significant riverbank erosion and sediment transport. This study aimed to explore patterns of riverbank erosion and deposition in a large, tropical, macrotidal river in Northern Australia; the Daly River. In particular, we aimed to determine if recreational boat use was impacting bank erosion in this dynamic river. Erosion pins were installed at multiple levels on both banks at 10 sites along a 34 km reach of the river. Measurements were made every four to six weeks during the low water dry season, and opportunistically during the wet season (flooding period) and seasonal transition periods. A bank geotechnical assessment, riverbed cross‐sections and site bathymetry were undertaken. Whilst the wet season was a period of substantial erosion (mean rate of 0.64 mm day^?1), the highest mean erosion rate (3.6 mm day^?1) was observed in the early dry season (April to May), a period of stabilizing water levels but greatest boat traffic. Bank erosion at this time was measured on both sides of the river and the inside of meander bends, which is atypical of normal riverine bank erosion patterns, and indicative of erosion due to boat wash. As the dry season progressed, significant spatial differences in erosion rates were evident, where erosion was observed at sites upstream of a large shallow sand bar, while sites downstream from the sand bar gained material through the deposition of tidally transported sediment. This study highlights the importance of understanding the significance and interaction of various erosive factors in tropical tidal rivers and has demonstrated that boat wash may be an important contributor to dry season bank erosion in these systems. We encourage management agencies to consider the role of boats in any future river management program in these systems.     

The Influence of Logjams on Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides) Concentrations on the Lower Roanoke River,a Large Sand‐Bed River

This study examines the relation between logjams and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) on the alluvial sand‐bed lower Roanoke River. Disparate data sets from previous bank erosion, fisheries, and large wood studies were used to compare the distribution of largemouth bass with logjam frequency. Logjams are related to the frequency of bank mass wasting increasing from near an upstream dam to the middle reach of the study segment and then decreasing as the river approaches sea level. The highest concentration of largemouth bass and logjams was in the middle reach (110 fish per hour and 21 jams per km). Another measure of largemouth bass distribution, fish biomass density (g h^?1), had a similar trend with logjams and was a better predictor of fish distribution versus logjams (R² = 0.6 and 0.8 and p = 0.08 and 0.02 for fish per hour and g h^?1 versus logjam, respectively). We theorize that the preference for adult bass to congregate near logjams indicates the use of the jams as feeding areas. The results of a principal component analysis indicate that fish biomass concentration is much more related to logjam frequency than channel geometry (width, depth, and bank height), bed grain size, bank erosion, or turbidity. The results of this research support recent studies on in‐channel wood and fisheries: Logjams appear to be important for maintaining, or increasing, both largemouth bass numbers and total biomass of fish in large eastern North American rivers. Persistent logjams, important as habitat, exist where relatively undisturbed river reaches allow for bank erosion inputs of wood and available anchoring locations. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Flood Effects Provide Evidence of an Alternate Stable State from Dam Management on the Upper Missouri River

We examine how historic flooding in 2011 affected the geomorphic adjustments created by dam regulation along the approximately 120 km free flowing reach of the Upper Missouri River bounded upstream by the Garrison Dam (1953) and downstream by Lake Oahe Reservoir (1959) near the City of Bismarck, ND, USA. The largest flood since dam regulation occurred in 2011. Flood releases from the Garrison Dam began in May 2011 and lasted until October, peaking with a flow of more than 4200 m³ s^?1. Channel cross‐section data and aerial imagery before and after the flood were compared with historic rates of channel change to assess the relative impact of the flood on the river morphology. Results indicate that the 2011 flood maintained trends in island area with the loss of islands in the reach just below the dam and an increase in island area downstream. Channel capacity changes varied along the Garrison Segment as a result of the flood. The thalweg, which has been stable since the mid‐1970s, did not migrate. And channel morphology, as defined by a newly developed shoaling metric, which quantifies the degree of channel braiding, indicates significant longitudinal variability in response to the flood. These results show that the 2011 flood exacerbates some geomorphic trends caused by the dam while reversing others. We conclude that the presence of dams has created an alternate geomorphic and related ecological stable state, which does not revert towards pre‐dam conditions in response to the flood of record. This suggests that management of sediment transport dynamics as well as flow modification is necessary to restore the Garrison Segment of the Upper Missouri River towards pre‐dam conditions and help create or maintain habitat for endangered species. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Morphological response of the upper Yangtze Estuary to changes in natural and anthropogenic factors

Globally, over the past few decades, extreme river channel deformation has been observed downstream of dams. Specially, estuarine channel deformation and its response to natural and anthropogenic factors are key issues influencing channel regulation and prediction of long-term stability in large estuarine deltas. Herein, bathymetry data for the upper reaches of the Yangtze Estuary (YE), China was collected for the years 1995, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2019 to analyze the channel deformation process. Our findings show that the total erosion volume was approximately 11.22 × 10⁸ m³, an equivalent of 15.7 × 10⁸ t of sediment assuming a bulk density of 1.4 t/m³ for the riverbed material during 1995–2019. Meanwhile, the annual erosion rate is 0.63 Mt/year in 1995–2019, and the annual erosion rate is 0.90, 0.12, 0.40 Mt/year in 1995–2003, 2008–2013 and 2013–2019, respectively. Meanwhile, the annual deposition rate is 0.7 Mt/year during 2003–2008. Further analysis indicated that continuous reduction of the sediment load due to the construction of dams (e.g., the Three Gorges Dam) in the basin was a key factor influencing channel erosion over the past 24 years. The channel deformation process was characterized by severe erosion during 1995–2003, a deposition period during 2003–2008, a dynamic equilibrium period from 2008–2013, and an erosion period after 2013. Due to floods with maximum peak discharge lower than 70,000 m³/s, despite the annual sediment load is reduced, the channel deposition phenomenon occurred in 2003–2008. The channel changed from a depositional system to an erosion system during 2008–2013. After 2013, the channel was dominated by extensive erosion, severe local deposition, or severe local erosion as a response to anthropogenic interventions. These findings are of great significance to river management and regulation, as well as to the navigational safety.     

Effects of diversion on the chemistry of a stream in Japan

On the upper reaches of the Ishite River, Japan the stream water is diverted completely at about 3 km above the Ishitegawa Reservoir, except under flood conditions. The chemical composition of the regenerated streamflow 2.4 km downstream from the diversion was determined 70 times during two years (1986-7) to investigate the effects of the diversion on water chemistry. Factor analysis suggested that two main factors controlled the water chemistry. Factor 1 explained 45.7% of the total variance and was correlated positively with the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, HCO^? ₃, SO^2? ₄ and Cl^?, which seemed to reflect the leaching of dominant ions from the catchment soil. The factor 1 score was correlated negatively with the ecological ‘Ca-Mg index’ (r² = 0.912), a low value of which is necessary to avoid phosphorus enrichment by phytoplankton in the downstream reservoir. The diversion seemed to contribute to this purpose because the log flow-rate value was correlated positively with the index (r² = 0.730). On the other hand, factor 2 explained 10.2% of the total variance and was correlated positively with NO^? ₃ concentration and negatively with pH. Factor 2 was considered in relation to the partial pressure of dissolved CO₂ gas in the stream water and appeared to be a complex biological factor that reflected CO₂ production in the catchment soil and consumption in the stream.     

Distribution,movements and habitat use of channel catfish in a river with multiple low‐head dams

Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus is a highly mobile species and is known to make extensive seasonal movements in lotic systems. Dams have been suggested to detrimentally affect this species, although abundant channel catfish populations are known to occur in many fragmented rivers. To examine factors that allow channel catfish to persist in impounded rivers, we assessed relative abundance of channel catfish in three impounded and three flowing sites of the Fox River, Illinois, USA. Radiotelemetry was used to determine movement and habitat use patterns of channel catfish among flowing and impounded areas. Relative abundance of channel catfish was consistently higher at flowing sites than at impounded sites during summer. Several radio‐tagged channel catfish moved downstream into impounded areas in fall, and all tagged individuals were found in impounded areas during winter. The majority of tagged channel catfish moved upstream into flowing areas during spring. Channel catfish used a wide range of depths (0.28–2.60 m), and were always found in current velocities less than 0.50 m s^?1. They selected most strongly for coarse substrates, but were infrequently found near cover. Although low‐head dams restrict the movements of channel catfish, impounded areas appear to provide overwintering habitats that may eliminate the need for seasonal long‐distance movements. Small run‐of‐river impoundments, however, may contain unsuitable conditions for channel catfish during other seasons. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geomorphic response to river flow regulation: Case studies and time-scales

River regulation imposes primary changes on flow and sediment transfer, the principal factors governing the alluvial channel regime. In this study, the effect of flow regulation is isolated from sediment delivery. Peace River (Q? = 1080m³s^?1, increasing to 2110m³s^?1 downstream) was regulated in 1967 for hydropower. The gravel-bed reach immediately downstream from the dam has become stable. Gravel accumulates at major tributary junctions, so the river profile is becoming stepped. Further downstream, the river has a sand bed. It can still transport sand, so morphological changes along the channel include both aggradation and channel narrowing by lateral accretation. In the gravel-bed Kemano River (Q? = 150m³s^?1), the addition of water by diversion from another river caused degradation when additional bed material was entrained below the inflow point. However, the effect became evident only after many years, when a competent flood occurred. The short-term response was channel widening. The time-scale for the response depends on the size of the river and the nature and severity of regulation. In both rivers, significant adjustment will require centuries and will intimately involve the riparian forest.     

Channel response to sediment replenishment in a large gravel‐bed river: The case of the Saint‐Sauveur dam in the Buëch River (Southern Alps,France)

The Saint‐Sauveur dam was built in 1992 in the middle section of the Buëch River. Downstream of the dam, a channel incision by several meters was observed. A gravel replenishment operation was planned in order to restore the active channel. An equivalent of two times the mean annual bedload‐transport capacity (43,500 m³) was replenished downstream of the dam in September 2016. The aim of this paper is to quantify morphological change associated with sediment remobilization in order to evaluate the efficiency of the restoration works. The monitoring was based on a combination of (a) change detection using sequential high‐resolution digital elevation models (from airborne LiDAR data), (b) bedload tracing using active ultrahigh‐frequency radio‐frequency identification technology, and (c) complementary field surveys of channel grain‐size distribution and morphology for bedload‐transport computation. Field monitoring allows us to capture a net aggradation along a 2‐km reach after the first post‐replenishment flood. A sediment balance analysis was performed to back‐calculate bedload supply coming from the sluicing operation during the flood. Although the sediment replenishment operation clearly had a positive impact on the morphological conditions of the starved river reach, the effective bedload supply from artificial berms (22,650 m³) was insufficient to initiate substantial channel shifting along the restored reach and a subsequent amplification of the sediment recharge. The combination of high‐resolution topographic resurveys and sediment tracing was successful to evaluate the downstream propagation of sediment replenishment effects.