Flow alterations caused by hydropower projects in two Mekong tributary basins: the livelihood implications. [Abstract only].

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cg.coverage.countryLaos
cg.coverage.iso3166-alpha2LA
cg.coverage.regionSouth-eastern Asia
cg.coverage.subregionNam Ngum Dam
cg.coverage.subregionTheun Hinboun Project
cg.creator.identifierMatthew McCartney: 0000-0001-6342-2815
cg.creator.identifierGuillaume Lacombe: 0000-0002-3882-2697
cg.identifier.urlhttp://www.mekong-environmental-symposium-2013.org/frontend/file.php?id=3020&dl=1
cg.river.basinMEKONG
dc.contributor.authorHecht, J.
dc.contributor.authorMcCartney, Matthew P.
dc.contributor.authorLacombe, Guillaume
dc.contributor.authorVogel, R.
dc.date.accessioned2014-06-13T11:41:24Zen
dc.date.available2014-06-13T11:41:24Zen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/38334
dc.titleFlow alterations caused by hydropower projects in two Mekong tributary basins: the livelihood implications. [Abstract only].en
dcterms.abstractThere is increasing concern over projected changes in the magnitude and timing of streamflow due to the construction of hydropower dams in the Mekong basin and elsewhere. We compare a suite of indicators for their ability to reflect changes from pre-dam flow regimes. Using two case studies, we illustrate the differences in hydrologic alteration that take place downstream of dams that are used for (i) in-stream power production (Nam Ngum 1 Dam) and (ii) diverting water to off-stream production sites (Nam Theun-Hinboun Project). We show that dams for in-stream power production reduce wet season flows, increase dry season flows and attenuate both high- and low-flow extremes. In contrast, dams constructed for off-stream power production mildly reduce flood peaks when diversions are possible during extreme high flow conditions while dry season streamflow declines sharply due to the priority placed on hydropower production. Our analysis summarizes the effects of dams on the frequency, duration, timing and rates of change of discharge at sites downstream of dams. We then review the relevance of metrics of hydrologic alteration for assessing impacts of hydropower dams on livelihoods dependent upon the natural variability of the flow regime in monsoonal climate zones.en
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Access
dcterms.bibliographicCitationHecht, J.; McCartney, Matthew; Lacombe, Guillaume; Vogel, R. 2013. Flow alterations caused by hydropower projects in two Mekong tributary basins: the livelihood implications. [Abstract only]. In German Aerospace Center (DLR); Germany. Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Mekong Environmental Symposium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 5-7 March 2013. Abstract volume, Topic 01 - Hydropower development and impacts on river ecology. Wessling, Germany: German Aerospace Center (DLR); Bonn, Germany: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). pp.17.en
dcterms.descriptionIn German Aerospace Center (DLR); Germany. Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Mekong Environmental Symposium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 5-7 March 2013. Abstract volume, Topic 01 - Hydropower development and impacts on river ecology. Wessling, Germany: German Aerospace Center (DLR); Bonn, Germany: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).en
dcterms.issued2013
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.subjectwater poweren
dcterms.subjectenergy generationen
dcterms.subjectdamsen
dcterms.subjectriver basinsen
dcterms.subjectflow dischargeen
dcterms.subjectcase studiesen
dcterms.subjectliving standardsen
dcterms.typeConference Paper

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