Dams, Rivers, and the Environment

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 80–137

Abstract

Millions of dams fragment and degrade Earth’s riparian landscapes. This chapter examines linkages between dams, rivers, and the environment and is subdivided into three sections, including riparian impacts of dams, dam removal, and reservoir sediment management strategies. The latter is crucial to sustain downstream fluvial environments and water resource infrastructure. Trapping of fluvial sediments in upstream reservoirs results in downstream degradation of riparian environments by channel bed incision and terrestrialization of aquatic habitat. In North America and western Europe dam removal for environmental restoration is occurring at a brisk pace, but in Southeast Asia, South America, southeast Europe, and parts of Africa dam construction for hydropower is rapidly occurring. Dam removal is an emerging science with great potential to improve downstream riparian ecosystems. It is essential that government agencies develop strategies to sustainably manage reservoirs so that fluvial sediments can be reactivated and transported to downstream riparian and deltaic environments to offset subsidence and sea level rise.

Authors 1

1. Paul F. Hudson corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden