CHANNEL PROCESSES MANAGEMENT, HUMAN IMPACTS ON RIVER CHANNELS AND HYDROECOLOGICAL SAFETY PROBLEMS

Abstract

Conditions for applying the principles of channel processes management to ensure hydroecological safety in the use of water and other river resources, exploitation of rivers as waterways are considered in the paper. It is shown that management of channel processes to the greatest extent is applied on navigable rivers, on urbanized areas and rivers in economically developed regions. The main management techniques are channel dredging and stabilization, guide dams, and bank protection measures. Development of channel quarries makes such a serious influence on channel processes that it requires the adoption of compensatory measures to prevent adverse environmental consequences. In other cases, it is necessary to take into account the current state of channels and predictive estimates of channel changes in sections where the designed facilities are located. Adverse environmental consequences of any technogenic impacts on rivers are associated with insufficient consideration of channel processes and even their complete disregard.