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Effects of alpine hydropower operations on primary production in a downstream lake

Finger, David ; Bossard, Peter ; Schmid, Martin ; Jaun, Lorenz ; Müller, Beat ; Steiner, Daniel ; Schäffer, Erwin ; Zeh, Markus ; Wüest, Alfred

In: Aquatic Sciences, 2007, vol. 69, no. 2, p. 240-256

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    Titre
    • Effects of alpine hydropower operations on primary production in a downstream lake
    Auteur
    • Finger, David. Surface Waters - Research and Management, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    • Bossard, Peter. Aquatic Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    • Schmid, Martin. Surface Waters - Research and Management, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    • Jaun, Lorenz. Surface Waters - Research and Management, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    • Müller, Beat. Surface Waters - Research and Management, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    • Steiner, Daniel. Aquatic Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    • Schäffer, Erwin. Fish Ecology and Evolution, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    • Zeh, Markus. Laboratory for Water and Soil Protection of the Canton of Bern (GBL), Schermenweg 11, CH-3014, Bern, Switzerland
    • Wüest, Alfred. Surface Waters - Research and Management, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, CH-6047, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • Aquatic Sciences, 2007, vol. 69, no. 2, p. 240-256. Birkhäuser-Verlag; www.birkhäuser.ch
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:314653
    Summary
    Abstract.: During the past century, the construction of hydropower dams in the watershed of Lake Brienz has significantly altered the dynamics of turbidity, which has important implications for lake productivity. To assess these effects, we measured in situ carbon assimilation rates and ambient light intensities over 18months. Based on experimental data, a numerical model was developed to assess gross primary production under present light conditions and those under a hypothetical case without upstream dams. Light conditions for the hypothetical ‘no-dam' situation were estimated from pre-dam Secchi depths and simulated ‘no-dam' particle concentrations. Current gross primary production is low (~66 gC m−2 yr−1), and could increase ~44% if the lake was less turbid. Disregarding nutrient retention in reservoirs, we estimate gross primary production would be ~35% lower in summer and ~23% higher in winter in the absence of reservoirs. The annual primary production (~58 gC m−2 yr−1) would decrease ~12% compared to the current primary production with dams. According to model calculations, hydropower operations have significantly altered the seasonal dynamics, but have little effect on annual primary production in Lake Brienz