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An indicator-based framework for monitoring and assessing ecological flows downstream of dams.

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Title: An indicator-based framework for monitoring and assessing ecological flows downstream of dams.
Authors: Kim, Semin1 (AUTHOR) semkim@jbnu.ac.kr
Source: Environmental Monitoring & Assessment. May2026, Vol. 198 Issue 5, p1-17. 17p.
Subject Terms: *Dams, *Instream flow, *Water power, *Fish habitats, *Streamflow, *Hydraulic models, *River ecology
Abstract: Dam operations worldwide have traditionally prioritized flood control, water supply, and hydropower generation, often resulting in altered flow regimes that affect downstream river environments. In this study, we present an indicator-based framework for monitoring and assessing ecological flows downstream of dams under alternative release scenarios designed to reflect key characteristics of natural runoff. The framework integrates hydraulic modeling with an ecological flow assessment approach to support the evaluation of flow conditions relevant to fish habitat sustainability. The methodology consists of five sequential steps: (1) selection of representative fish species as ecological targets, (2) development of dam release scenarios using the building block methodology (BBM), (3) estimation of ecologically critical flow (ECF) and ecological minimum flow (EMF) using the River2D hydrodynamic model, (4) formulation of the River Ecological Flow Index (REFI) to characterize flow–habitat conditions, and (5) long-term assessment of ecological flow status. Habitat responses to different release scenarios were quantified using weighted usable area (WUA), while REFI classified ecological flow conditions into five categories based on ECF and EMF thresholds. Application of the framework showed that hydropower-oriented releases produced persistently low ecological flow conditions, whereas ecologically informed release scenarios resulted in improved flow classifications. The proposed framework provides a practical and monitoring-oriented tool for assessing ecological flow conditions downstream of dams and offers quantitative support for adaptive dam operation and river management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
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  Availability: 0
Header DbId: enr
DbLabel: Energy & Power Source
An: 193884656
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
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  Data: An indicator-based framework for monitoring and assessing ecological flows downstream of dams.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kim%2C+Semin%22">Kim, Semin</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> semkim@jbnu.ac.kr</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Environmental+Monitoring+%26+Assessment%22">Environmental Monitoring & Assessment</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 198 Issue 5, p1-17. 17p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Dams%22">Dams</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instream+flow%22">Instream flow</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Water+power%22">Water power</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fish+habitats%22">Fish habitats</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Streamflow%22">Streamflow</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hydraulic+models%22">Hydraulic models</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22River+ecology%22">River ecology</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Dam operations worldwide have traditionally prioritized flood control, water supply, and hydropower generation, often resulting in altered flow regimes that affect downstream river environments. In this study, we present an indicator-based framework for monitoring and assessing ecological flows downstream of dams under alternative release scenarios designed to reflect key characteristics of natural runoff. The framework integrates hydraulic modeling with an ecological flow assessment approach to support the evaluation of flow conditions relevant to fish habitat sustainability. The methodology consists of five sequential steps: (1) selection of representative fish species as ecological targets, (2) development of dam release scenarios using the building block methodology (BBM), (3) estimation of ecologically critical flow (ECF) and ecological minimum flow (EMF) using the River2D hydrodynamic model, (4) formulation of the River Ecological Flow Index (REFI) to characterize flow–habitat conditions, and (5) long-term assessment of ecological flow status. Habitat responses to different release scenarios were quantified using weighted usable area (WUA), while REFI classified ecological flow conditions into five categories based on ECF and EMF thresholds. Application of the framework showed that hydropower-oriented releases produced persistently low ecological flow conditions, whereas ecologically informed release scenarios resulted in improved flow classifications. The proposed framework provides a practical and monitoring-oriented tool for assessing ecological flow conditions downstream of dams and offers quantitative support for adaptive dam operation and river management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=enr&AN=193884656
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s10661-026-15290-5
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 17
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Dams
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instream flow
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Water power
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fish habitats
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Streamflow
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hydraulic models
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: River ecology
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: An indicator-based framework for monitoring and assessing ecological flows downstream of dams.
        Type: main
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          Name:
            NameFull: Kim, Semin
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 01676369
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            – Type: volume
              Value: 198
            – Type: issue
              Value: 5
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Environmental Monitoring & Assessment
              Type: main
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