Optimal Environmental Flow Research Articles

A Histogram Matching Approach for assessment of flow regime alteration: application to environmental flow optimization

AbstractIn this paper we present a Histogram Matching Approach (HMA) for assessment of the flow regime alteration. The HMA uses the degree of histogram dissimilarity as a metric for impact assessment, which is based on the quadratic‐form distance between the frequency vectors of the pre‐ and post‐impact histograms weighted by a specified similarity matrix. The HMA is coupled with an aggregated multiobjective optimization genetic algorithm and applied to a case study on the Kaoping diversion weir (Taiwan) for determining the optimal environmental flow scheme that balances the ecosystem and human needs objectives. Two key issues are addressed in this study. First, we compare the performances of the HMA and existing Range of Variability Approach (RVA). Second, we employ three types of similarity function to investigate their effect on the outcomes of the HMA. The results reveal that the HMA consistently outperforms the RVA in preserving the natural flow variability regardless of what type of similarity function is used. No single type of similarity function can be found that would simultaneously best preserve the natural patterns of 32 Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA). For the situations where the water‐supply reliability is of critical concern, the pulse similarity is recommended because it would assure the smallest water‐supply deficit. If, however, minor degradation in the water‐supply reliability may be overlooked, the linear similarity is suggested because it would generally result in the post‐impact flows that most satisfactorily resemble to the natural flow regime. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A multiple criteria decision‐making approach to estimate minimum environmental flows based on wetted perimeter

AbstractMinimum environmental flows in rivers provide a certain level of protection for the aquatic environment. The relationship between wetted perimeter and discharge can be used to define the minimum environmental flows by the slope method (SM), or curvature method (CM), especially for cases with poor understanding of the aquatic ecosystem. SM and CM derived inconsistent values of minimum environmental flows. It was not clear which method better defined minimum environmental flow. Moreover, the computation and optimization procedures are both time consuming and error‐prone, especially for complicated wetted perimeter–discharge relationships. In this study, flow regulation for rivers was regarded as a multiple criteria decision‐making problem, with the objectives of minimum river discharge and maximum wetted perimeter. Ideal point methods (IPMs) with the scaling coefficient r = 1 (IPM1) and r = 2 (IPM2) were used to solve this model to determine optimal environmental flows. IPM was simple in computation, especially when the wetted perimeter–discharge relationship was given as scattered data pairs. Meanwhile, it was applicable to a wider range of wetted perimeter–discharge relationship than SM and CM. Environmental flows estimated by IMP1 are the same as that by SM. The analytical results for environmental flows using SM, CM, IPM1 and IPM2 were compared for wetted perimeter–discharge relationship expressed as power or logarithmic function. It showed that CM is not a good method to define environmental flows. SM with unity slope and IMP1 were recommended. CM, SM and IPM were examined for the determination of environmental flows in a river in North Xinjiang, China. Environmental flows for different transects of the studying river reach were estimated to be 21% of the mean annual flow by SM or IPM1, which provided the satisfactory wetted perimeter, water depth and average velocity for aquatic organisms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An Assessment of Stream Flow Modelling Combined with The Montana Method as a Basis for Developing Optimal Environmental Flows Below a Proposed Dam.

Little research has been carried out in Australia to determine the riparian and environmental flows needed to maintain riverine ecosystem integrity. Given the range of organisms present in the Australian freshwater biota, each with its own optimal requirements, it is probable that management flow conditions arrived at from species-specific studies, may not necessarily benefit all organisms. We also have inadequate understanding of how freshwater organisms interact with dynamic changes that occur in river systems (drought and flood), and the generally degraded nature of these streams. Hence formulating management outcomes in regard to flow conditions must be viewed as a particularly complex issue. In this paper a case history study is described for a tableland stream in the central west of New South Wales, where a major dam is being built on a first order stream. Comparisons are made with three other creek/river systems in the central tablelands and some implications for platypus conservation are identified.