Basic research and recommendations for the sediment management at small hydropower plants
Abstract
There are currently around 3,500 small hydropower plants (< 10 MW) and 3,250 micro hydropower plants (< 1 MW) in Austria. The large number of small and very small hydropower plants includes a hydromorphological impairment of the watercourses according to the criteria (i) dam, but sometimes also (ii) residual water (in the case of diversion power plants) or (iii) interruption of the continuum (if no fish pass has yet been built). For the hydromorphological risk assessment, however, there are still no recommendations available for action from the perspective of sediment dynamics. The aim of the research project is to use detailed abiotic and biotic surveys in different impoundments of micro power plants (< 1 MW) to determine the ecological status and the possibilities of a self-dynamic (partial) rehabilitation of impounded river sections. The primary goal should be to examine the possibilities and limits of a possible (partial) deposition of sediments , which have achieved initial positive results in small rhithral impoundments of gravel bed rivers, with regard to their impact (positive ecological effectiveness). The findings from these investigations should subsequently tested in different bioregions and further conclusions and recommendations for action for the ministry, with the option of later being incorporated into a guideline.
Publikationen
Project staff
Christoph Hauer
Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Christoph Hauer
christoph.hauer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81912
Project Leader
01.02.2022 - 31.07.2024
Peter Flödl
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Peter Flödl
peter.floedl@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-81928
Project Staff
01.02.2022 - 31.07.2024