Hydrological alterations due to anthropogenic activities in Krishna River Basin, India

• Published in: Ecological indicators Vol. 108; p. 105663
• Main Authors: Uday Kumar, A., Jayakumar, K.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2020
• Subjects: Ecosystem; Hydrological alteration; Krishna River; Range of Variability Approach (RVA); Range of Variability Approach (RVA); Hydrological alteration; Krishna River; Ecosystem
• ISSN: 1470-160X; 1872-7034
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105663

•Flow regulation impacts strongly depend on dam operation and water use.•The magnitude and duration of exposure to flow alterations affect ecological outcomes.•Deviations from natural flow variability should inform damming environmental costs.•Inter-annual flow variability produces changes in fish-basedecological quality.
The present study has been taken up to quantify the impacts of the anthropogenic activities on the hydrology of the middle and lower stretches of the Krishna River over the past sixty years. The Flow Health (FH) method which is based on the Range of Variability Approach (RVA) is used to quantify the hydrological alteration (flow changes) of different flow characteristics. The flow characteristics of pre- and post-dam impact periods are compared and evaluated to understand the ecologically sensitive streamflow parameters. The study is primarily focussed on the impact of human activities such as dam constructions. The wet and dry periods are excluded as they are impacted by climate variability. Results of the study confirmed that the impact of the Nagarjuna Sagar on the Krishna River Basin is the highest among the five dams studied, with an average FH score of 0.54 and that of PD Jurala dam is the lowest, with an average FH score of 0.65. This study will be beneficial to help restore regional water resources and eco-environmental system in the middle and lower Krishna River Basin.