Author(s): Sebastian Pessenlehner

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Balkan rivers; Sediment transport; River ecology; Hydropower implications;

Abstract: The Vjosa River in Albania represents one of Europe’s last free flowing wild rivers, comprising a mosaic of various habitats and forming a highly dynamic natural ecosystem for flora and fauna that has largely disappeared from other European rivers outside of Russia. However, due to economic interests, this sensitive and heterogeneous river system is under the pressure of hydropower threatening the good hydromorhological and ecological status of the river by reservoir flushing, hydropeaking, colmation, loss of habitats and connectivity. Besides ecological impacts this study aims to also consider technical and economic issues related to hydropower. Hence for the first time sediment transport in the Vjosa River is addressed underlining the impact of a disturbed sediment regime on capacity loss by sedimentation of reservoirs, river bed incision downstream of dams as well as progressing coastal erosion. Based on the presented study it is aimed to define sediment monitoring standards for requested environmental impact assessments for hydropower projects in the entire Balkan region.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/38WC092019-0867

Year: 2019