The document summarizes findings from an environmental study of the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) and the proposed Pak Beng dam project. Key findings include changes to hydrology and sediment flows due to Chinese dams, impacts to aquatic ecology, and identification of environmentally sensitive areas. The study recommends establishing a network of conservation areas along the Mekong River to help mitigate impacts from proposed developments. Specific mitigation strategies are provided for each of three zones studied.
1) The document summarizes key baseline findings from an environmental study of the Lancang-Mekong River, including descriptions of three zones along the river with differing geomorphological characteristics.
2) Major findings include the identification of deep pools that are dry season fish habitats, changes to hydrology and sediment levels from Chinese dams, declines in the status of aquatic ecology indicators, and high fish diversity including endangered species that use deep pools.
3) Key drivers of environmental changes in the region include dams in the upper Mekong, land use changes, development activities, and increased pressures from activities like fishing, hunting, and agriculture.
The document discusses potential environmental impacts from the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) and the Pak Beng Hydropower Project. It divides the study area into three zones and summarizes key impacts for each zone. Zone 1 may experience bed and bank erosion from dredging, port construction, and increased boat traffic. Zone 2 will see significant impacts from the Pak Beng reservoir, including permanent flooding of habitats, changes to fish migration, and loss of riverine ecology. Zone 3 faces risks from altered hydrology and sediment from both the LMDP channel works and Pak Beng dam operations downstream.
This presentation was delivered on the 10th of December 2018 in Vientiane by Jeremy Carew-Reid at the MRC final stakeholder workshop as part of the Environmental Study of the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) project.
The document provides an overview of hydropower development in the Mekong River basin and the role of strategic environmental assessments (SEAs). It describes the importance of the Mekong River ecosystem for biodiversity and livelihoods. Hydropower development since 1960 has increased, with plans for 12 mainstem dams by 2030 that could transform over half the river. While these dams may provide economic benefits, they are also expected to negatively impact fisheries and agriculture in critical ways. Effective SEAs are needed to better understand these tradeoffs and inform sustainable development.
This presentation was delivered by Simon Tilleard at the Lancang – Mekong Environmental Study Workshop that took place at the 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy.
The presentation documents the current condition and drivers of change for hydrology and sediment transport in the study section. It also provides information for biodiversity teams so that they can understand habitat availability.
This document discusses challenges and opportunities for restoring the Camac River in Dublin City while managing flood risk, supporting urban renewal, and adapting to climate change. The river suffers from channelization, loss of floodplains and wetlands, and lengthy culverts. Restoration requires tackling existing issues and avoiding new pressures. Opportunities include maximizing green space, rezoning industrial lands, and creating a greenway. Successful restoration requires considering the whole catchment and securing sufficient land, and balancing priorities like flood protection, development, and environmental goals. Planning tools like new zoning objectives can help protect land for restoration and climate adaptation.
This presentation was delivered on the 10th of December 2018 in Vientiane by Jeremy-Carew-Reid at the MRC final stakeholder workshop as part of the Environmental Study of the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) project.
Phase 1 of the Development Plan of International Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River (LMDP) aims to improve navigation in the Mekong mainstream from the Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang. Projects include the development of three cargo ports at Xiengkok, Pak Beng and Luang Prabang in Laos; the improvement and maintenance of 146 rapids and shoals; and the construction of four emergency response and rescue ships and 1199 aids to navigation.
ICEM has received grant funding from the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) to conduct the Environmental Study of the LMDP from the Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang. This study aims to engage riparian communities, MRC member countries and local government in an exploration of the potential environmental impacts of the LMDP, and to support Mekong countries in ensuring that potential impacts of the LMDP are managed through appropriate enhancement and mitigation measures.
Implementation of the study includes key issues for biodiversity and navigation development; trends in the key issues without the LMDP; impacts of the LMDP on each of these trends; and risks to be avoided or mitigated and benefits to be enhanced.
This presentation was delivered by ICEM Director General, Dr Jeremy Carew-Reid, at the Lancang - Mekong Environmental Study Workshop that took place at the 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy.
1) The document summarizes key baseline findings from an environmental study of the Lancang-Mekong River, including descriptions of three zones along the river with differing geomorphological characteristics.
2) Major findings include the identification of deep pools that are dry season fish habitats, changes to hydrology and sediment levels from Chinese dams, declines in the status of aquatic ecology indicators, and high fish diversity including endangered species that use deep pools.
3) Key drivers of environmental changes in the region include dams in the upper Mekong, land use changes, development activities, and increased pressures from activities like fishing, hunting, and agriculture.
The document discusses potential environmental impacts from the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) and the Pak Beng Hydropower Project. It divides the study area into three zones and summarizes key impacts for each zone. Zone 1 may experience bed and bank erosion from dredging, port construction, and increased boat traffic. Zone 2 will see significant impacts from the Pak Beng reservoir, including permanent flooding of habitats, changes to fish migration, and loss of riverine ecology. Zone 3 faces risks from altered hydrology and sediment from both the LMDP channel works and Pak Beng dam operations downstream.
This presentation was delivered on the 10th of December 2018 in Vientiane by Jeremy Carew-Reid at the MRC final stakeholder workshop as part of the Environmental Study of the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) project.
The document provides an overview of hydropower development in the Mekong River basin and the role of strategic environmental assessments (SEAs). It describes the importance of the Mekong River ecosystem for biodiversity and livelihoods. Hydropower development since 1960 has increased, with plans for 12 mainstem dams by 2030 that could transform over half the river. While these dams may provide economic benefits, they are also expected to negatively impact fisheries and agriculture in critical ways. Effective SEAs are needed to better understand these tradeoffs and inform sustainable development.
This presentation was delivered by Simon Tilleard at the Lancang – Mekong Environmental Study Workshop that took place at the 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy.
The presentation documents the current condition and drivers of change for hydrology and sediment transport in the study section. It also provides information for biodiversity teams so that they can understand habitat availability.
This document discusses challenges and opportunities for restoring the Camac River in Dublin City while managing flood risk, supporting urban renewal, and adapting to climate change. The river suffers from channelization, loss of floodplains and wetlands, and lengthy culverts. Restoration requires tackling existing issues and avoiding new pressures. Opportunities include maximizing green space, rezoning industrial lands, and creating a greenway. Successful restoration requires considering the whole catchment and securing sufficient land, and balancing priorities like flood protection, development, and environmental goals. Planning tools like new zoning objectives can help protect land for restoration and climate adaptation.
This presentation was delivered on the 10th of December 2018 in Vientiane by Jeremy-Carew-Reid at the MRC final stakeholder workshop as part of the Environmental Study of the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) project.
Phase 1 of the Development Plan of International Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River (LMDP) aims to improve navigation in the Mekong mainstream from the Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang. Projects include the development of three cargo ports at Xiengkok, Pak Beng and Luang Prabang in Laos; the improvement and maintenance of 146 rapids and shoals; and the construction of four emergency response and rescue ships and 1199 aids to navigation.
ICEM has received grant funding from the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF) to conduct the Environmental Study of the LMDP from the Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang. This study aims to engage riparian communities, MRC member countries and local government in an exploration of the potential environmental impacts of the LMDP, and to support Mekong countries in ensuring that potential impacts of the LMDP are managed through appropriate enhancement and mitigation measures.
Implementation of the study includes key issues for biodiversity and navigation development; trends in the key issues without the LMDP; impacts of the LMDP on each of these trends; and risks to be avoided or mitigated and benefits to be enhanced.
This presentation was delivered by ICEM Director General, Dr Jeremy Carew-Reid, at the Lancang - Mekong Environmental Study Workshop that took place at the 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy.
On 17 and 18 June 2020 the EPA held its National Water Event as an online conference.
This year's theme was 'Restoring our waters'.
This years event was free to attend. It was the EPA's largest water event ever, with over 1250 attending.
To everyone who joined us: thanks for attending; thanks for your probing questions; thanks for your passion; thanks for caring about our waters. We can achieve more working together.
Special thanks to all our presenters and the team who worked behind the scenes to make sure this years conference happened.
For science and stories about water quality in Ireland, check out www.catchments.ie
On 17 and 18 June 2020 the EPA held its National Water Event as an online conference.
This year's theme was 'Restoring our waters'.
This years event was free to attend. It was the EPA's largest water event ever, with over 1250 attending.
To everyone who joined us: thanks for attending; thanks for your probing questions; thanks for your passion; thanks for caring about our waters. We can achieve more working together.
Special thanks to all our presenters and the team who worked behind the scenes to make sure this years conference happened.
For science and stories about water quality in Ireland, check out www.catchments.ie
This presentation was delivered by Dr. Jeremy Carew-Reid, Director General of ICEM at the 5th Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Minister's Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 30 January to 1 February 2018. The presentation demonstrates how green infrastructure can enhance resilience and sustainability in urban areas and across rural landscapes.
This document discusses using hydrogeochemistry as a tool to manage the coastal Bou Areg aquifer in Morocco. The aquifer faces issues like overexploitation, water scarcity, and pollution from agriculture and development. The study aims to understand the aquifer's natural water quality, impacts on the adjacent lagoon, and identify pollution sources. Methods include geochemical analysis and isotopic dating. Results show high natural salinity from rock dissolution, and agricultural return flows are the main cause of additional salinization. Nitrate levels often exceed standards due to septic effluents and fertilizers. While saline intrusion is minor, polluted groundwater discharges affect the lagoon's quality. Improved monitoring
Water storage for secure water supply, Ho Chi Minh CityHanna Stahlberg
The document discusses potential solutions for securing Ho Chi Minh City's water supply in the face of increasing salinity intrusion issues. It summarizes workshops that explored both short-term and long-term options. Short-term solutions included mixing water from alternative intake points with existing supplies or building small storage reservoirs. Long-term solutions involved larger infrastructure like canals, pipelines, or reservoir systems that could provide intake selectivity and storage capacity of 6-90 days to cope with salinity fluctuations. The workshops aimed to identify adaptive measures that balance water supply reliability, flood control, nature conservation and recreation.
This document summarizes key socioeconomic trends and the impacts of climate change on health and infrastructure in the Lower Mekong Basin region. It finds that:
1) Rural livelihoods depend heavily on ecosystem services and smallholder agriculture, though poverty is decreasing.
2) Climate change is expected to significantly impact health through increased heat stress, water-borne diseases, and impacts on infrastructure like damage from flooding.
3) Case studies of provinces find high vulnerability in health from things like lack of access to care and in infrastructure from damage. Adaptation strategies are proposed that integrate across sectors.
The document discusses several topics related to coastal aquifers and their importance for coastal zone management. It notes that coastal aquifers are threatened by overexploitation, which can lead to saline intrusion, and by nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater, contributing to coastal eutrophication. Small islands are particularly vulnerable due to their groundwater dependence. The document calls for better understanding coastal aquifer systems and improved management of groundwater resources and water quality to protect coastal ecosystems.
The Mekong Region Futures Institute introduced the concept of Challenge and Reconstruct Learning (ChaRL), the use of this in cross sectoral negotiations in the Mekong delta, and lessons learned.
The document discusses the SWIM Programme, which aims to promote sustainable water management policies and practices in the Mediterranean region given increasing water scarcity and climate change impacts. It describes the SWIM-Support Mechanism project, which provides support to partner countries through activities like capacity building, knowledge sharing, and five demonstration projects focused on issues like water governance, climate change adaptation, and water demand management. The demonstration projects are being implemented in countries around the Mediterranean to test innovative solutions for challenges like transboundary water management, agricultural resilience, and wastewater reuse.
The UNESCO-IHP project demonstrated a methodology for mapping the vulnerability of coastal aquifers to both vertical pollution from the surface and horizontal saltwater intrusion. The project mapped the comprehensive vulnerability of the Ghar El Melh coastal aquifer in Tunisia in a single parameter. It considered the aquifer's intrinsic properties that provide defense against these threats, such as groundwater levels and the aquifer's specific energy to resist saltwater intrusion. The resulting comprehensive vulnerability map integrated these factors with human activities data to provide a planning tool for safeguarding groundwater resources. The demonstrated methodology can be applied to other Mediterranean coastal aquifers.
Lake Restoration Projects Being Undertaken by BDA_Bangalore Development Autho...Ekonnect
The document discusses lake restoration projects being undertaken by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). It provides background on BDA's aims, jurisdiction, and environmental conservation initiatives including lake restoration. It then summarizes the current state of Bangalore's lakes, which are largely encroached, polluted, and in need of restoration. The methodology for BDA's lake restoration projects is described, including removing encroachments, desilting, constructing wetlands and sewage diversion channels. Status updates and challenges to progress are also summarized, such as pending encroachment clearances and need for improved sewage networks and rehabilitation efforts.
This document discusses managing groundwater in coastal areas of Greece. Coastal areas are significant due to urban development, tourism, important wetlands, and agricultural activities. Groundwater in coastal areas is important as a source of drinking water, for supporting wetlands, and as a source of water for agriculture. However, exploitation of groundwater has often been unsustainable, resulting in saline water intrusion, unsuitable water quality, stress on wetlands, and additional pollution. Sustainable management of groundwater resources is imperative. The Water Framework Directive establishes integrated management of surface and groundwater resources and requires developing river basin management plans to achieve good water status. Key challenges include a lack of borehole data and slow groundwater recovery from pollution and saline
Future Watershed by Frank M. Piorko , Dir., Div. of Watershed Stewardship, DE...Kim Beidler
This document discusses Delaware's innovative use of State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan programs to fund land conservation and water quality projects. It provides examples of how municipalities have leveraged lower interest SRF loans to also fund conservation projects through sponsorship agreements. Kent County worked with DNREC to purchase and restore 255 acres of land through such an agreement. Wilmington utilized a reduced rate SRF loan to fund wetland restoration. The document proposes developing a project registry and concept plans to better link specific conservation projects to municipal needs and access SRF funding.
This presentation was delivered by Eric Baran, Tuantong Jutagate and Kithya Ouch at the Lancang – Mekong Environmental Study Workshop that took place at the 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy.
The presentation describes the status of fish biodiversity and fisheries between Chiang Saen and Luang Prabang.
Mekong ARCC Climate Change and Hydrology Modeling Methods and ResultsMekong ARCC
At the Interim Results Workshop, the Modeling Team presented the climate change and hydrological modeling results for the LMB. The modeling team consists of Mr. Tarek Ketelsen, Mr. Jorma Koponen, Mr. Jeremy Carew-Reid, Mr. Simon Tilleard, Mr. Mai Ky Vinh, and Mr. To Quang Toan.
Dams provide many benefits like improving quality of life through irrigation, flood control, hydropower, and more. However, they can also negatively impact the environment and human populations. Key impacts include displacing many people worldwide and inadequate compensation, harming terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by blocking animal migrations and altering natural river flows, and emitting greenhouse gases from reservoirs. While dams provide irrigation and hydropower, their construction often undercounts displaced people and fails to fully resettle them, compromising livelihoods. Cultural heritage sites can also be damaged or lost. Mitigation efforts are often insufficient to address these social and environmental impacts.
This document summarizes how natural coastal systems function to control pollution and prevent flooding and storm damage, and the effects of human alterations on these systems. It describes how features like salt marshes, beaches, wetlands and their vegetation naturally improve water quality, attenuate waves and floods, but that activities like coastal development, dams, pollution and draining/filling of habitats have degraded these ecosystem services. The Division of Ecological Restoration works to restore over 1,000 acres of coastal wetlands and 200 miles of streams to regain these lost benefits.
On 17 and 18 June 2020 the EPA held its National Water Event as an online conference.
This year's theme was 'Restoring our waters'.
This years event was free to attend. It was the EPA's largest water event ever, with over 1250 attending.
To everyone who joined us: thanks for attending; thanks for your probing questions; thanks for your passion; thanks for caring about our waters. We can achieve more working together.
Special thanks to all our presenters and the team who worked behind the scenes to make sure this years conference happened.
For science and stories about water quality in Ireland, check out www.catchments.ie
On 17 and 18 June 2020 the EPA held its National Water Event as an online conference.
This year's theme was 'Restoring our waters'.
This years event was free to attend. It was the EPA's largest water event ever, with over 1250 attending.
To everyone who joined us: thanks for attending; thanks for your probing questions; thanks for your passion; thanks for caring about our waters. We can achieve more working together.
Special thanks to all our presenters and the team who worked behind the scenes to make sure this years conference happened.
For science and stories about water quality in Ireland, check out www.catchments.ie
This presentation was delivered by Dr. Jeremy Carew-Reid, Director General of ICEM at the 5th Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Minister's Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 30 January to 1 February 2018. The presentation demonstrates how green infrastructure can enhance resilience and sustainability in urban areas and across rural landscapes.
This document discusses using hydrogeochemistry as a tool to manage the coastal Bou Areg aquifer in Morocco. The aquifer faces issues like overexploitation, water scarcity, and pollution from agriculture and development. The study aims to understand the aquifer's natural water quality, impacts on the adjacent lagoon, and identify pollution sources. Methods include geochemical analysis and isotopic dating. Results show high natural salinity from rock dissolution, and agricultural return flows are the main cause of additional salinization. Nitrate levels often exceed standards due to septic effluents and fertilizers. While saline intrusion is minor, polluted groundwater discharges affect the lagoon's quality. Improved monitoring
Water storage for secure water supply, Ho Chi Minh CityHanna Stahlberg
The document discusses potential solutions for securing Ho Chi Minh City's water supply in the face of increasing salinity intrusion issues. It summarizes workshops that explored both short-term and long-term options. Short-term solutions included mixing water from alternative intake points with existing supplies or building small storage reservoirs. Long-term solutions involved larger infrastructure like canals, pipelines, or reservoir systems that could provide intake selectivity and storage capacity of 6-90 days to cope with salinity fluctuations. The workshops aimed to identify adaptive measures that balance water supply reliability, flood control, nature conservation and recreation.
This document summarizes key socioeconomic trends and the impacts of climate change on health and infrastructure in the Lower Mekong Basin region. It finds that:
1) Rural livelihoods depend heavily on ecosystem services and smallholder agriculture, though poverty is decreasing.
2) Climate change is expected to significantly impact health through increased heat stress, water-borne diseases, and impacts on infrastructure like damage from flooding.
3) Case studies of provinces find high vulnerability in health from things like lack of access to care and in infrastructure from damage. Adaptation strategies are proposed that integrate across sectors.
The document discusses several topics related to coastal aquifers and their importance for coastal zone management. It notes that coastal aquifers are threatened by overexploitation, which can lead to saline intrusion, and by nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater, contributing to coastal eutrophication. Small islands are particularly vulnerable due to their groundwater dependence. The document calls for better understanding coastal aquifer systems and improved management of groundwater resources and water quality to protect coastal ecosystems.
The Mekong Region Futures Institute introduced the concept of Challenge and Reconstruct Learning (ChaRL), the use of this in cross sectoral negotiations in the Mekong delta, and lessons learned.
The document discusses the SWIM Programme, which aims to promote sustainable water management policies and practices in the Mediterranean region given increasing water scarcity and climate change impacts. It describes the SWIM-Support Mechanism project, which provides support to partner countries through activities like capacity building, knowledge sharing, and five demonstration projects focused on issues like water governance, climate change adaptation, and water demand management. The demonstration projects are being implemented in countries around the Mediterranean to test innovative solutions for challenges like transboundary water management, agricultural resilience, and wastewater reuse.
The UNESCO-IHP project demonstrated a methodology for mapping the vulnerability of coastal aquifers to both vertical pollution from the surface and horizontal saltwater intrusion. The project mapped the comprehensive vulnerability of the Ghar El Melh coastal aquifer in Tunisia in a single parameter. It considered the aquifer's intrinsic properties that provide defense against these threats, such as groundwater levels and the aquifer's specific energy to resist saltwater intrusion. The resulting comprehensive vulnerability map integrated these factors with human activities data to provide a planning tool for safeguarding groundwater resources. The demonstrated methodology can be applied to other Mediterranean coastal aquifers.
Lake Restoration Projects Being Undertaken by BDA_Bangalore Development Autho...Ekonnect
The document discusses lake restoration projects being undertaken by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). It provides background on BDA's aims, jurisdiction, and environmental conservation initiatives including lake restoration. It then summarizes the current state of Bangalore's lakes, which are largely encroached, polluted, and in need of restoration. The methodology for BDA's lake restoration projects is described, including removing encroachments, desilting, constructing wetlands and sewage diversion channels. Status updates and challenges to progress are also summarized, such as pending encroachment clearances and need for improved sewage networks and rehabilitation efforts.
This document discusses managing groundwater in coastal areas of Greece. Coastal areas are significant due to urban development, tourism, important wetlands, and agricultural activities. Groundwater in coastal areas is important as a source of drinking water, for supporting wetlands, and as a source of water for agriculture. However, exploitation of groundwater has often been unsustainable, resulting in saline water intrusion, unsuitable water quality, stress on wetlands, and additional pollution. Sustainable management of groundwater resources is imperative. The Water Framework Directive establishes integrated management of surface and groundwater resources and requires developing river basin management plans to achieve good water status. Key challenges include a lack of borehole data and slow groundwater recovery from pollution and saline
Future Watershed by Frank M. Piorko , Dir., Div. of Watershed Stewardship, DE...Kim Beidler
This document discusses Delaware's innovative use of State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan programs to fund land conservation and water quality projects. It provides examples of how municipalities have leveraged lower interest SRF loans to also fund conservation projects through sponsorship agreements. Kent County worked with DNREC to purchase and restore 255 acres of land through such an agreement. Wilmington utilized a reduced rate SRF loan to fund wetland restoration. The document proposes developing a project registry and concept plans to better link specific conservation projects to municipal needs and access SRF funding.
This presentation was delivered by Eric Baran, Tuantong Jutagate and Kithya Ouch at the Lancang – Mekong Environmental Study Workshop that took place at the 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy.
The presentation describes the status of fish biodiversity and fisheries between Chiang Saen and Luang Prabang.
Mekong ARCC Climate Change and Hydrology Modeling Methods and ResultsMekong ARCC
At the Interim Results Workshop, the Modeling Team presented the climate change and hydrological modeling results for the LMB. The modeling team consists of Mr. Tarek Ketelsen, Mr. Jorma Koponen, Mr. Jeremy Carew-Reid, Mr. Simon Tilleard, Mr. Mai Ky Vinh, and Mr. To Quang Toan.
Dams provide many benefits like improving quality of life through irrigation, flood control, hydropower, and more. However, they can also negatively impact the environment and human populations. Key impacts include displacing many people worldwide and inadequate compensation, harming terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by blocking animal migrations and altering natural river flows, and emitting greenhouse gases from reservoirs. While dams provide irrigation and hydropower, their construction often undercounts displaced people and fails to fully resettle them, compromising livelihoods. Cultural heritage sites can also be damaged or lost. Mitigation efforts are often insufficient to address these social and environmental impacts.
This document summarizes how natural coastal systems function to control pollution and prevent flooding and storm damage, and the effects of human alterations on these systems. It describes how features like salt marshes, beaches, wetlands and their vegetation naturally improve water quality, attenuate waves and floods, but that activities like coastal development, dams, pollution and draining/filling of habitats have degraded these ecosystem services. The Division of Ecological Restoration works to restore over 1,000 acres of coastal wetlands and 200 miles of streams to regain these lost benefits.
The document discusses the Global International Waters Assessment (GIWA) project. The goals of the project are to implement environmental and socio-economic impact assessments in 66 subregions, and identify linkages between issues affecting transboundary aquatic environments and their causes. The project uses a methodology that includes scoping and scaling priority issues, detailed impact assessments, causal chain analysis, and developing strategic action programs. Key concerns assessed are freshwater shortage, pollution, habitat modification, unsustainable exploitation of resources, and global change.
The document provides an overview of the Vembanad Lake located along the southwest coast of India. It discusses the following key points in 3 sentences:
The Vembanad Lake is a 100 km long brackish water body located between Munambam and Alappuzha. It supports a high level of biodiversity and provides livelihoods from fishing, agriculture and tourism. However, increasing pollution, land reclamation, and construction of barriers like the Thanneermukkom bund have degraded the ecosystem and impacted livelihoods dependent on the lake.
This document provides an overview of Puget Sound restoration efforts, focusing on estuaries, deltas, beaches and bluffs. It discusses the productivity of estuaries but also the degradation issues they face from pollution, overfishing and poor land management practices. The Nooksack River Delta restoration project aims to remove levees and dikes that disrupt natural water flows, restoring tidal channels and floodplains to improve conditions for fish and wildlife. The Lilliwaup Estuary project replaced a causeway and restored estuary processes to benefit local ecology. Puget Sound restoration addresses improving natural conditions across different habitat types to enhance the overall health of the sound.
Strategic Action Program for the Bermejo River Binational Basin: Argentina- B...Iwl Pcu
A PowerPoint Presentation by Salvador Bahia on June 2005 during the GEF 3rd International Waters Conference. Topics discussed in the slide are the following:
(1) Overview of Bermejo River
(2) Environmental Problems Identifies in the Transboundary Analysis
(3) Causes of Environmental Problems
(4) Long Term Mitigation Strategy
(5) Short Term Mitigation Strategy
(6) Comprehensive Strategy
Ground Water Quality Assessment using Geo Spatial Technology in Part of Lower...IRJET Journal
This document summarizes a study that assessed groundwater quality in the lower Vaigai river basin in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India using geospatial technology. Water samples were collected from 10 locations and tested for parameters like pH, nitrate, sulfate, chloride, and total dissolved solids. Maps showing the spatial distribution of water quality in 2003 and 2015 were generated. It was found that the maximum nitrate level was 4800 mg/l in 2006, and that some areas had increasingly high levels of salts and nitrates over time due to factors like fertilizer use and wastewater. The study identified some areas as potable and others as moderate or non-potable. It concluded that water quality is
The ICAR Indian Institute of Water Management was established in 1988 and aims to develop improved water management technologies through research. It conducts research through five programs: rainwater management, canal water management, groundwater management, waterlogged area management, and on-farm research and technology transfer.
The document then discusses the design of creek irrigation systems. It defines tidal creeks and explains how salinity varies in creeks over tidal cycles. It also discusses factors that influence salinity changes like urbanization. The document outlines the process for designing creek irrigation systems which includes determining design discharge, selecting a cross-sectional shape based on soil type and erosion control needs, using Manning's formula to calculate dimensions, and adding freeboard
The document summarizes environmental problems and management aspects of the Vembanad Kol wetland system in Kerala, India. It begins with background on wetlands and an introduction to the Vembanad Kol system. It then discusses the wetland's physical characteristics, ecological significance, economic potential, and history of interventions. Major problems are outlined such as the impacts of physical barriers, sand mining, tourism, industrialization, and more. Potential management strategies are proposed, including improving education and engagement, strengthening institutional oversight, and establishing more participatory governance. The wetland is at risk of vanishing within 50 years due to climate change exacerbating various threats if no action is taken.
Duke Bitsko - Alewife Stormwater Wetlandbio4climate
Duke Bitsko, landscape architect with Chester Engineers describes a large-scale project he worked on in the Alewife Reservation, transforming a degraded low-quality upland habitat into a constructed stormwater wetland and park. The interdisciplinary team incorporated green infrastructure strategies to create diverse upland and wetland native plant communities.
Presented at the Urban and Suburban Carbon Farming to Reverse Global Warming conference at Harvard University on May 3, 2015, organized by Biodiversity for a Livable Climate.
www.bio4climate.org
The Vietnam National Mekong Committee conducted a Mekong Dam Study, the results of which were presented at the Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy in Phnom Penh on Oct. 21, 2015. This presentation overviews their Fisheries Impact Assessment.
An overview of more than two hundred river improvement projects that were delivered by 28 individual rivers trusts throughout England between 2010 - 2014.
The document provides details of the proposed Renuka Dam project located in Himachal Pradesh, India. It will be a 148m high rockfill dam built across the Giri river to supply drinking water to Delhi and generate hydroelectric power. Key impacts include submergence of 1197.6 ha of land including 955.82 ha of forest land, displacement of people from 24 villages, loss of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, and changes to land use and soil erosion during construction. Extensive baseline studies were conducted on climate, geology, soil, water, air, noise, flora, fauna and socioeconomic conditions. Mitigation measures are proposed to minimize environmental impacts and support resettlement of project affected families.
8. E&S Hydro Advisory Program: Advancing sustainability in the hydropower sectorEthical Sector
On 19/20 March, two biodiversity, business and human rights events were organised by MCRB in Yangon: a multistakeholder consultation on the draft Briefing Paper, and a training session conducted by a number of international experts on biodiversity and environmental impact assessment (EIA) for around 70 representatives from companies, particularly EIA consultancies.
Read more: http://www.myanmar-responsiblebusiness.org/news/reinforcing-connections.html
This document discusses dams and their environmental and social impacts. It begins by defining dams and explaining their purposes, which include irrigation, flood control, hydropower, and navigation. It then describes the main types of dams and discusses their environmental performance, noting impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems from habitat loss and changes to natural flow regimes. Socially, dams can displace large populations and disrupt livelihoods when people are resettled or downstream access to resources is reduced. Planning for dams often undercounts affected people and resettlement efforts are frequently inadequate.
prashant new civil project for last yearAnantJadhav23
The document is a presentation on the geochemical investigation of groundwater in the Krishna River basin. It discusses the importance of groundwater, sources of contamination, and the geochemistry of groundwater. Water samples were collected from 31 wells in the study area and analyzed for parameters like pH, alkalinity, hardness, chlorides, and heavy metals. The results were found to exceed permissible limits for some parameters. The graphical representation showed variation in chemical composition of groundwater across the study area.
Three presentations from Session 34 of the Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy, co-hosted by IWRP, the GIZ-MRC Network for Sustainable Hydropower Development in the Mekong countries, the Natural Heritage Institute and Deltares. The Mekong region is undergoing significant change in water resources development for multiple purposes, including hydropower, agriculture, fisheries production and navigation. This also requires the management of the river and its life- and livelihood-giving ecosystems for long term sustainability. Without coordinated development and effective river basin management, the Mekong Basin is exposed to many risks to water resources and associated ecosystems, including floods and drought, deterioration of water quality, reduction of sedimentation loads and extinction of many aquatic species. This session provided an opportunity to recognize these challenges in river basin management and identify development and management needs to tackle these issues.
Similar to Lancang-Mekong Development Plan Environmental Study - Findings and Conclusions (20)
Key note address at the Thai National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) cross sector conference on strategic environmental assessment, November 2020
This presentation was delivered by Dr. Jeremy Carew-Reid, Director of ICEM at the International Forum on Sustainable Infrastructure on Integrating Climate Resilience and Natural Capital into Transport Infrastructure Planning and Design in Hanoi, Vietnam on 17 and 18 May 2017. It presents a case study from the ADB project Promoting Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure in Northern Mountains of Vietnam on how non-conventional engineering, or bioengineering, solutions, can be used as a low-cost alternative to strengthen infrastructure, to resist the hazards associated with climate change and to provide opportunities to enhance community livelihoods.
This document summarizes the key outputs of a project that promoted climate resilient rural infrastructure in northern Vietnam. It outlines various technical reports produced by the project, including an effectiveness audit report, training completion report, construction completion report, technical guidelines for slope protection, and sample drawings and specifications. It also describes breakout working sessions that were held to discuss mainstreaming bioengineering techniques in Vietnam and identifying strategies, capacity building efforts, additional demonstrations, and research needed.
The ADB Capacity Development Technical Assistance project Promoting Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure in Northern Vietnam is demonstrating how non-conventional engineering solutions can strengthen rural infrastructure, resisting the hazards associated with climate change and providing opportunities to enhance community livelihoods. The project focuses on bioengineering as a low-cost alternative to conventional slope stabilization and protection techniques
The ADB Capacity Development Technical Assistance project Promoting Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure in Northern Vietnam is demonstrating how non-conventional engineering solutions can strengthen rural infrastructure, resisting the hazards associated with climate change and providing opportunities to enhance community livelihoods. The project focuses on bioengineering as a low-cost alternative to conventional slope stabilization and protection techniques
This presentation was delivered by Eric Baran, Tuantong Jutagate and Kithya Ouch at the Lancang – Mekong Environmental Study Workshop that took place at the 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and Energy.
This presentation was delivered as part of ICEM and PACT training course on Strategic Environmental Assessments in the context of energy development in the Greater Mekong Subregion in May 2016.
The document provides an overview of findings from a climate risk and vulnerability assessment for the Nam Ngiep 1 hydropower project in Laos. It identifies the most significant climate change impacts as an increased potential for energy production but also a dramatic rise in spillway usage accelerating wear. Moderate impacts include reduced reservoir storage and water quality issues. Monitoring critical thresholds and preventative catchment measures are recommended, along with studies on adaptation opportunities.
This document provides an introduction to strategic environmental assessment (SEA), including its purpose, principles, process, and emerging directions. SEA involves systematically analyzing the environmental impacts of policies, plans, and programs to support sustainable development decisions. It differs from environmental impact assessment (EIA) in applying earlier in the decision-making process and covering a broader scope. Key principles of good SEA practice include being integrated, adaptive, sustainability-oriented, and participatory. The main steps of SEA involve screening, scoping, detailed assessment, and follow-up such as monitoring. Challenges to effective SEA include acceptance, assessing cumulative impacts, integration across sectors, and public participation.
The document summarizes a study quantifying the tradeoffs of water usage at Yali Reservoir in Vietnam. It finds that meeting 100% of the water demand for agriculture, domestic, and aquaculture uses within a 2km buffer of the reservoir would:
1) Reduce annual reservoir storage capacity and power production by 0.7% and 1% respectively.
2) More significantly reduce dry season storage capacity by 3.6% and power production by 3.5%.
3) Result in an estimated annual economic cost of $462,000 from reduced power generation, though this could bring greater benefits to the surrounding communities through reliable access to water.
Mekong ARCC Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Study for Natural and Agricultural Systems
This presentation from the International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM) about the Mekong ARCC project was given by ICEM's director Jeremy Carew-Reid at the World Bank-sponsored Second Global Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change, held in Hanoi, Vietnam from 3-7 September 2012.
The presentation focuses on the Mekong ARCC assessments and findings regarding climate change threats to agriculture and subsistence livelihoods. It addresses the significant transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture in the region. Commercial cropping has doubled in the last 20 years, particularly with the growth in production of rubber and cassava. The presentation provides recommendations from the Mekong ARCC assessments focusing on food production, advocating that food production will need to grow by 25% in the next 15 years just to supply local populations. The presentation highlights 'hot spots' in terms of rainfall and temperature changes, and illustrates potential implications for the location of industrial and commercial crops. The presentation focuses on the Se San catchment area, and notes some key changes which have implications for rice cultivation in the context of more extreme flooding and sea level rise.
Mekong ARCC – Final Workshop – Agriculture Study
A presentation from the International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM)
> Further information: www.icem.com.au
This presentation for the Mekong ARCC project was given by ICEM’s personnel and consultants Olivier Joffre, Dang Kieu Nhan, Bun Chantrea and Jorma Koponen at the Final Workshop in Bangkok – held in March 2013.
The presentation highlights the findings from the Climate Change Impact and Vulnerability Assessment on the agriculture sector in the Lower Mekong Basin. It presents changes in basin-wide crop suitability, changes in hot spot crop yields and provides a vulnerability assessment for key crops in hot spots. The land use suitability evaluation tool (LUSET) was used to evaluate the suitability of specific land units for a range of crops. For each location suitability is based on climatological characteristics such as rainfall, drought and temperature, and each crop has its special requirements which are affected positively or negatively by climate change.
> Read more about Mekong ARCC on the ICEM website www.icem.com.au
Mekong ARCC – Final Workshop – Fisheries Study
A presentation from the International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM)
> Further information: www.icem.com.au
This presentation for the Mekong ARCC project was given by ICEM at the Final Workshop in Bangkok - held in March 2013. The presentation gives climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment for capture fisheries and aquaculture in the Lower Mekong Basin. It presents the climate change variables affecting fisheries and provides some adaptation options.
Fisheries and aquaculture are vitally important for food and livelihoods in the Mekong Region. Virtually all rural families are involved in fishing at some time of the year and small-scale capture fisheries remain important for livelihoods of rural families. Climate change is set to challenge these traditional ways of life in fundamental ways.
> Read more about Mekong ARCC on ICEM's website: www.icem.com.au
This document summarizes a livestock assessment in the Lower Mekong Basin. It begins with an overview of the presentation structure and linkages between livestock and other livelihood systems. It then describes the socioeconomic factors affecting livestock and establishes a livestock baseline. The baseline identifies and describes the key livestock systems in the region. It also discusses the tolerances of these systems and identifies vulnerable hotspot areas. Finally, it performs a vulnerability assessment and proposes adaptation strategies. The strategies focus on improving animal nutrition, reducing disease risks, improving housing, optimizing production/offtake, and increasing market access - with the goals of building resilience and reducing the vulnerabilities of key systems and locations.
Mekong ARCC – Final Workshop – Natural Systems Study
A presentation from the International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM)
> Further information: www.icem.com.au
This presentation for the Mekong ARCC project was given by ICEM’s Peter-John Meynell, Sansanee Choowaew, Nguyen Huu Thien and Jeremy Carew-Reid at the Final Workshop in Bangkok – held in March 2013. The presentation considers Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) in the context of climate change in the Lower Mekong Basin. NTFPs and CWRs are an integral part of the farming systems of the Mekong. CWRs are especially important to breed new varieties through genetic diversity. CWRs are the largest source for crop improvement and the richest source of diversity for adaptive characteristics.The presentation considers the increased market pressures on NTFP resources, the loss of forest habitat due to commercial logging and conversion to agriculture and the importance of protected areas as a last refuge for NTFPs and CWRs.
> Read more about Mekong ARCC on the ICEM website www.icem.com.au
The document summarizes the key concepts and methods used in a climate change impact and adaptation study for natural and agricultural systems in the Lower Mekong Basin. The study used an ecosystems approach to identify climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, define adaptation strategies, and communicate results. Key elements of the study included assessing climate change threats in the basin, characterizing the vulnerability of different farming systems, and developing an adaptation framework involving the identification of priority vulnerable assets, definition of adaptation options, and integration of adaptation priorities into projects and plans.
This presentation gives an introduction to the project from ICEM funded by ADB and in collaboration with UNDP to promote climate resilient rural infrastructure in Northern Vietnam.
The purpose of the project is:
To assist Vietnam in taking steps to protect rural infrastructure from the anticipated effects of climate change, by enhancing the capacity of stakeholders at local, provincial and national level;
2) To assess climate risks, and
3) To design and implement cost effective, sustainable, bioengineered solutions to increase climate resilience.
This presentation outlines the ARCC Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment & Adaptation Study.
The objectives of the study were to take an ecosystems approach in:
1) Identifying CC impact and vulnerabilities of rural poor and their environment - water resources, food security, livelihoods and biodiversity (fisheries and wildlife);
2) Identifying hot spots in the LMB: provide a scientific evidence base to guide the selection of pilot project sites;
3) Defining adaptation strategies to inform community and ecosystem-based adaptation pilot projects and
4) Communicating the results of the vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning.
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Lancang-Mekong Development Plan Environmental Study - Findings and Conclusions
1. MRC International Conference: 2-3 April 2018, Siem Reap,
Cambodia
Jeremy Carew-Reid
LANCANG-MEKONG DEVELOPMENT PLAN
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
2. LANCANG-MEKONG DEVELOPMENT PLAN - KEY
INGREDIENTS
2
Three cargo ports:
1. Xiengkok
2. Pak Ben
3. Luang Prabang
Partial clearing of 146
rapids, rocky outcrops
and shoals to allow
navigation for up to
500DWT vessels
Construction of four
emergency response
and rescue ships, 1199
aids to navigation
Promotes increased
shipping, trade,
passenger transport
from Yunnan province to
Luang Prabang
23 dangerous areas
3. PAK BENG – PROJECT DETAILS
3
• Concrete run-of-river dam
64m high (47m from river
bed) x 900m long
• 912 MW
• Located 14km upstream
of Pak Beng town
• 97km long reservoir
• Navigation lock for 500t
boats
• Fish passage cement canal 1.6 km long, 10 m
bottom width
• Additional water level at dam approx 20m
4. LANCANG MEKONG ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY - PURPOSE
4
Identify environmentally
and socially sensitive
areas & uses which
require special
management
Assess effects of the
LMDP & Pak Beng
reservoir on those
sensitive areas and uses
Define environmental
management strategies
for LMDP and Pak Beng
project
A site specific study focussing on biodiversity (300km river reach)
Part of the MRC Council Study and funded by CEPF
Two development scenarios (i) the navigation plan and (ii) the navigation plan & Pak Beng
If developments were to proceed what management responses are required
7. KEY BASELINE FINDINGS: HYDROLOGY & SEDIMENT
• Increase in dry season flows, decrease in wet season flows due to China dams
• Significant reduction in suspended sediment concentrations at Chiang Saen after
1992 dams
• Land use changes - some evidence of increased sediment loads due to tributary
contributions in study zone with implications for reservoir
8. KEY BASELINE FINDINGS: HYDROLOGY & SEDIMENT
Percentage of average flow originating in each country during
wet – June to November (left – 55% from China in study area)
dry – December to May (right – 75% from China in study area).
The study section is indicated by the red arrows
MRC 2005
9. KEY BASELINE FINDINGS: HYDROLOGY & SEDIMENT
Comparison of pre and post Manwan reservoir construction TSS concentrations at Chiang
Saen (left) and Luang Prabang (right) (Adamson, 2009)
10. KEY BASELINE FINDINGS: ECOLOGY
10
• Water quality and river health good
• Gradual decrease in Aquatic Ecology Health Index since early 2000s
• Significant changes in geomorphology
• 206 fish species in MK mainstem between Xieng Kok and Xayaburi
• Fish abundance, size and diversity declined in past 5 – 10 years
• 25 amphibian and reptile species observed and 7 reported
• Wetlands / island terraces concentrated between Chiang Saen and Pak Tha
• Sand banks located throughout, concentrated between Chiang Saen and Pak Tha
• Rocky outcrops and tributaries throughout but more numerous downstream of Pak Tha
• Significant presence of invasive exotic fish species
11. KEY BASELINE FINDINGS: BATHYMETRIC SURVEY
11
• Deep pools: dry-season refuge for fish; spawning habitats
• 52 fish species known to make use of deep pools
• 19 deep (5 – 20m) and 10 very deep (up to 90m) pools
• Each pool - 10 to 15 ha
• Very deep pools concentrated between Pak Beng dam site
and Pak Ou
12. KEY BASELINE FINDINGS: AQUATIC ECOLOGY
Changes in status of indicators for geomorphology, aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrates between 1985
and 2015 (MRC Council study – BioRa)
•Considerable changes in the
geomorphology, especially
erosion
•Decrease in the status of
channel biomass of riparian
vegetation
•Macroinvertebrate
indicators in upper reaches
natural in 1985, but many
downstream of Pak Beng
moderately modified
•By 2015 most
macroinvertebrate indicators
above Pak Beng become
moderately modified
Indicator 1985 2015
China border
to Pak Beng
Pak Beng to
Vientiane
China border
to Pak Beng
Pak Beng to
Vientiane
Geomorphology
Erosion A A D D
Average bed sediment size in dry season A A B B
Availability of exposed sandy habitat in dry season A A C C
Availability of inundated sandy habitat in dry season A A C C
Availability of exposed rocky habitats in dry season A A C C
Avaialbility of inundated rocky habitats in dry season A A C C
Depth of pools in bedrock in dry season A A B B
Water clarity A A C C
Aquatic Vegetation
Channel extent of upper bank vegetation C C C C
Channel extent of lower bank vegetation C C C C
Channel biomass of riparian vegetation B B C C
Macroinvertebrates
Insects on stones B B B B
Insects on sand B B B B
Dry season emergence B C C C
Burrowing mayflies B C C C
Snails B C C C
Aquatic snail diversity B C C C
Bivalves B B B B
Shrimps and crabs B C C C
Littoral invertebrate diversity B C C C
Benthic invertebrate diversity B C C C
Zooplankton B B B B
A Unmodified, natural
B Largely natural
C Moderately modified
D Largely modified
E Completely modified
13. KEY BASELINE FINDINGS: NAVIGATION /WATERWAYS
13
• 22 rapids and shoals between Huay Xay and Luang Prabang
• No major improvements for navigation downstream of Chiang Saen
• Minor removals of obstacles in Lao PDR
• New Chiang Saen Port: capacity for 10 small, 4 large (300 DWT) boats
• 32km (33%) hardened river banks on Thai section
• Consequent geomorphological changes and bank erosion on the Loa side
• Cargo flows increased significantly from 2004-14
14. ZONE 1 – GOLDEN TRIANGLE TO THAI-LAO BORDER
Potential
Biodiversity
Conservation
Management
Area
Whole Zone 1 =
International Key
Biodiversity Area
(KBA) for birds
and fish
Habitats identified in survey – tributaries/deltas, vegetated islands, rapids, rocky outcrops,
sandbanks and shoals, off main channel wetlands, deep pools
16. LMDP CHANNEL DESIGN CASE STUDY: HAT NGAO (DA-01)
16
Yellow = Mekong floodplain
Purple = dredge depth 1.5-2.5m
Blue = water depth
• No rock removal necessary
• Channel in sandy area, to be dredged
• Without river training works upstream,
gully might silt up
• Some 103,000 m3 sand to be dredged
annually
17. LMDP CHANNEL DESIGN CASE STUDY: KENG PHA DAI (DA-04)
17
• 20,501.499 m3 removal of
rock - chiseling channel banks
• Small part of rapid (6.97% of
wet surface at low water level
/ 1.88% of total rapid surface)
• 98.12% of rapid untouched
• Vessels up to 1,500-1,600t
(3m water depth) gains access
Purple/pink: areas to be removed
18. ZONE 1: KEY IMPACTS (LMDP)
Much depends on the quality of the work – past clearing has been poorly supervised and completed
in a uncontrolled manner with little regard for environmental and social consequences. If work is
done to international good practice, impacts can be minimised.
Hydrology and Sediment
• Bed and bank erosion due to:
• Dredging of sediment from bed, banks and islands
• Increased large boat traffic
• Clearing of sediment for port construction
Ecology
• Risks to water quality due to dredging and increased large boat traffic
• Low impacts on geomorphology, wetland habitats, aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrates
• Potential impacts on fish:
• blasting (mortality) and dredging (reducing food sources, mortality in larvae)
• partial filling of deep pools (reduced habitat)
• increased wave action from boat traffic (mortality of small fish)
• boat shear stress (mortality of fish eggs)
• oil/grease spills (affects food sources)
• river bank stabilisation (may reduce habitat but depends on spp)
19. ZONE 1: MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Navigation clearing activity, port rehabilitation and functioning
• Rock removal: store debris in coves between chiseling areas,
maintain net flow obstacle and reduce turbulence from
outcropping river banks
• Sand dredging: dredged material dumped in small area,
• Manage to minimise smothering of habitats
• Control noise during rock blasting (fish)
• Managed collection and disposal of waste
• Habitat protection:
• Groins and longitudinal training dykes to mitigate the effects of navigation on habitat
• Bioengineering of banks, deltas and groins
• Apply vegetation to protect riverbank
• Minimise boat speed/weight and set min. distances from banks
• Network of conservation areas protecting critical habitats
• Deep pools
• Tributary deltas
• Sand and pebble bars
• Pool-riffle (“Pha” and “Kok”, in Thai)
Eg. Connection near the Khon Phi Long Rapid area –
supports many fish species
20. ZONE 2 – THAI-LAO BORDER TO PAK BENG
Potential
Biodiversity
Conservation
Management
Area
Whole Zone 2 =
KBA (birds and
fish)
21.
22. ZONE 2: KEY IMPACTS (PAK BENG RESERVOIR)
Environmental impacts of the Pak Beng Reservoir and hydro operations will be significant and
irreversible.
Hydrology and sediment
• Increased water levels, flooding of existing habitats
• Decreased flow velocities
• Changes in water chemistry
• Blocking of sediment by dam wall
• Reduced sediment transport due to lower velocities
• New deltas forming at bottom of the tributaries;
Ecology
• High, permanent impacts on geomorphology, wetland habitats, aquatic vegetation,
macroinvertebrates associated with inundation
• Blockage of fish migration routes;
• Change from riverine to lacustrine environment – change in fish assemblages, reduced oxygen and
productivity in deep water;
• Permanent loss of 9 deep pools, 12 rocky outcrops, 3 sand bars, 6 rapids
• Alteration to 18 tributary connections – slowing flow and potential loss of connectivity through
delta formation/sedimentation
23. ZONE 2: AQUATIC ECOLOGY IMPACTS
Comparison of local impacts on aquatic
ecology in Zones 1 - 3
Comparison of cumulative impacts on aquatic
ecology in Zones 1 - 3
24. ZONE 2: MITIGATION STRATEGIES
(Reservoir)
Reservoir management
• Bioengineering of fish passage
Natural features – excavated channel
Bioengineering of passage included constructed wetlands and vegetated and stabilised
banks
study fish migration behavior
• [Fish passage proposed by developer:
Fish passage cement canal 1.6 km long,
10 m bottom width.
Slope - 1.85%.
Resting pools
Entrance 1 km downstream of dam wall]
• Maintain connection to the tributaries and recreate deltas
• Top 30% of reservoir most promising because shallower
• Create aquaculture
Network of conservation areas
• Creation of new tributary
deltas
• Constructed wetlands
• Use of groins to create deltas
and wetlands
25. ZONE 3 – PAK BENG TO
LUANG PRABANG
Potential
Biodiversity
Conservation
Management
Area
Part Zone 3
down to no. 14
rapid =
KBA (birds and
fish)
26.
27. ZONE 3: KEY IMPACTS (LMDP AND PAK BENG)
Hydrology and sediment
• Highest risk: altered flow regime
• Reduced water quality
• Change in the sediment size distribution of the channel bed
• Reduced sediment load
• Increased water level variability causing bed and bank erosion;
• Dredging of bed and banks
Ecology
• Low impacts upon geomorphology, wetland habitats, aquatic vegetation, macroinvertebrates
• Potential scouring and erosion of sensitive habitats - sand and pebble bars; deep pools
• Impact from large boat traffic (erosion and water quality)
• Disrupted fish behaviour:
• Reproduction
• Mortality due to release of cold and/or oxygen depleted water
• Changes to dry season refuges
29. ZONE 3: MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Dam operation
• Run-of-river - no peaking power production
(maintain natural flow regime) –
outflows to approximate inflows at hourly or daily scale
• Maintain natural migration of sediments:
• i) ensure velocities in reservoir not too low
• ii) ensure dam design allows for sediment movement
• iii) include operating valves or other mechanisms to pass sediment through the dam wall
• iii) excavate sedimentation upstream of the dam wall, reintroduce downstream
• Manipulate water release mass and flow rate - prevent downstream deep pools scouring
• Rakers and screens, optimised spill flows, fish friendly turbines
Navigation clearing activity, port rehabilitation
and functioning
• Same as Zone 1
Network of conservation areas
• 9 potential conservation
areas
• 13 dangerous areas
• Rich habitat diversity
• Use of groins to create
deltas and wetlands
30. A KEY STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATION:
Establish a transboundary Mekong mainstream
conservation area network
• A network of 19 candidate Mekong conservation areas in study area – a first piloting and
demonstration phase with a vision for network extension along the entire Mekong
mainstream
• Activities for a “transboundary project” managed by MRC with Thailand and Laos:
Thorough survey and boundary definition
Formal designation of areas by Lao PDR and Thailand (in a Lao/Thai agreement)
Community and collaborative management arrangements for each site
Preparation of overall network management plan (including M&E)
Strategy for private sector financing – biodiversity offsets, PES, rehabilitation and natural
area construction
Demonstration and piloting technologies for habitat maintenance and creation
Creation of fishing conservation zones
Definition of commercial vessel no go areas
Establishment of Lancang-Mekong Lao and Thai conservation management units for
survey, monitoring, rehabilitation, bioengineering
• Important to clearly define the role of MRC in transboundary network facilitation, studies,
management planning and monitoring
31. CONSERVATION AREA
HABITATS
1. Rapid/shoal
2. Tributary/delta
3. Vegetated island
4. Off-main channel wetland
5. Very deep pool
1 2 3
4
5
In zone 1
In zone 1In zone 3In zone 3: DA16
In zone 3: DA 22
Zone 1 – Golden triangle to the Thai-Lao border – (approx. 98km) – 3 dangerous areas
Zone 2 – From the Thai-Lao border to Pak Beng Dam – (approx. 94km) – 7 dangerous areas; dam = 62 m, reservoir = 97 km long approx.
Zone 3 – Pak Beng Dam downstream to Luang Prabang (approx. 176km) – 12 dangerous areas
MRC WQ mon. (3 locations; 2009-2015) WQ appears to be declining since 2011 but still good; MRC Aquatic Health Index (5 locations; 2005-2013) - generally good-excellent except Ban Xiengkok, which has been poor; study field trip macroinvertebrate sampling (13 locations) – river health typically fair;
206 fish species in MK mainstem between Xieng Kok and Xayaburi – 7 endemic, 7 introduced, 192 native, many migratory
25 amphibian and reptile species observed and 7 reported; 8 of these (6 turtle spp and 2 snake app) globally and nationally threatened
As detailed by Halls et al. (2013), most deep pools are 15 - 20 m deep and have areas of 10 to 15 ha. The deepest pools are 80 - 90 m deep and are found in particular between Huay Xai and Vientiane.
110 pools identified most occur in the section between Pak Tha and Pak Ou, while very deep pools are concentrated between Pak Beng dam site and Pak Ou;
Of the 206 fish species recorded in the study zone, 52 are known to make use of deep pools. Among these are 22 species of Cyprinidae (minnows and barbs), 10 species of Pangasiidae (panga catfish) and 3 species of Notopteridae (featherbacks), followed by 1 to 2 species in 14 other families (Figure 3).
MRC condition surveyed 22 rapids and shoals between Huay Xay and Luang Prabang in 2008
Minor removals of obstacles are reported to have been undertaken in Lao PDR
Key characteristics:
More developed, particularly along the Thai side
Broader and sandier river with more sand island terraces
Fewer rocky outcrops and dangerous areas
3 deep pools and 3 very deep pools
Small image - Red/pink/orange/green/pale green/ pale yellow = decreasing 1m altitude; Blues, light to dark = increasing one meter water depth
20,501.499 m3 of rock has to be removed mainly from chiseling the channel banks.
The rock removal is a small part of the entire rapid (6.97% of the wet surface at low water level (chart datum) or 1.88% of the entire surface of the rapid)
98.12% of the surface of the Keng Pha Dai rapid remains untouched during the navigation channel improvement
The Keng Pha Dai rapid can be made accessible for vessels of up to 1,500 – 1,600 t (3 meters water depth) with this improvement work
Key characteristics:
Narrower, straighter and rockier channel
Steep terrain with perpendicular valleys creating many tributaries
Less developed with significant forest cover
More dangerous areas
8 deep pools, no very deep pools
Ecology:
Highest impacts during construction phase – much larger than navigation improvements in other zones. Very High permanent impacts upon geomorphology and wetland habitats and aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrates associated with inundation by the reservoir.
Fish: construction phase – increased turbidity; blockage of fish migration routes; change from riverine to lacustrine environment – change in fish assemblages and reduced oxygen and productivity in deep water; also increased productivity for 5-10yrs due to nutrient trapping;
During the construction phase the local impacts around the dangerous areas are similar Low impacts (with scores just over 1) for all four components for Zones 1 and 3, though the impacts in Zone 3 are slightly higher because of the effects of construction of the Pak Beng Dam.
In Zone 2, construction impacts are all significantly higher than in Zones 1 and 3, and nearing the threshold between Low and Moderate Impacts (with scores between 1.6 and 1.8). The construction of the dam is a much larger and more disruptive activity than the navigation improvements.
Similarly when the operational or longer term impacts are considered at the local level, Zone 1 impacts show a Very Low level for all components, while Zone 3 shows Very Low Impacts for geomorphology and wetland habitats, and a slightly higher, but still Low Impact for aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrates.
By contrast, in Zone 2 the local impacts in the operation phase are generally Moderate (above 2), but High for macroinvertebrates (score of 3.5). This reflects the inundation of the reservoir in the local areas.
For Zone 2 the construction of the dam is considered to have local impacts in a 20 km impact zone, which when assessed cumulatively also results in a Very Low score. However, when the reservoir is filled and Pak Beng Dam operating, the longer term cumulative impacts in Zone 2 are Very High especially for macroinvertebrates. This reflects the complete change from a riverine to a reservoir environment, affecting the geomorphology, the flooded wetlands and the aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrate species.
Key characteristics:
Channel still mainly narrow and rocky
Many dangerous areas
High number of deep and very deep pools - 7 very deep pools; 12 deep pools
Parallel valleys
Significant number of tributaries
River widens and development increases closer to Luang Prabang
Hydrology and sediment: Highest risk: altered flow regime altered due to operation of Pak Beng dam; reduced water quality of water released from reservoir; change in the sediment size distribution of the channel bed due to change in velocities; reduced sediment load and increased water level variability causing bed and bank erosion; and dredging of bed and banks
Ecology:
Generally low impacts upon geomorphology, wetland habitats, aquatic vegetation and macroinvertebrates though sensitive habitats such as sand and pebble bars need to be protected. Increased large boat traffic causing erosion and risks to water quality may be biggest threat
Fish: Changes in annual flow regime may disrupt fish behavior, particularly reproduction; release of cold and/or oxygen depleted water may occur and cause mortality; reduction in sediment load may impact fish reproductive success; scouring of downstream deep pools from water releases – this could make the pool no longer appropriate dry season refuge due to changes in depth, velocity and turbulence
Fish friendly turbine: From the NOAA Fisheries (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Contrary to the recommendation that the Mekong mainstream should never be used for experimenting and piloting new management and technologies linked to full channel dams
Dangerous area/ rapid
Vegetated island
Tributary/delta
Very deep pool
Off-main channel wetland