The ecohydraulic trinity concept - integrating ecohydraulic aspects across river restoration, ecological flows and passage of aquatic organisms (#177)
At the heart of the interdisciplinary science of Ecohydraulics is the
study trilogy of river restoration (including dam removal and wetland
rehabilitation), e-flows (ecological, environmental or instream flow regimes),
and passage systems for migrations of fish and other aquatic organisms. These ecohydraulic science themes have been
developed to a large degree independently, yet they form a holistic trilogy compatible
with ecological engineering principles aiming to realize and maintain healthy and
sustainable aquatic ecosystems. These
three study areas rely on classical aspects of ecology, biology, habitat
quality, population dynamics, hydrology, water quality, hydrodynamics, ice
dynamics and morphodynamics, but synthesize such aspects in new ways. Ecohydraulics is considered the culmination
of all these study areas into a coherent science, which includes ecohydrology,
ecomorphology and other eco-physical syntheses.
Ecohydraulics has enabled, and continues to promote, interdisciplinary
advances as the best way to develop ecologically compatible solutions. Such advances have reached a level where integration
of the ecohydraulic trinity science themes may enable efficiencies, synergies and
more sound ecologically-based designs. For
example, river flows to attract and pass fish and other aquatic organisms,
e-flows, as well as flows to ensure restoration measures are effective, assess
parallel ecohydraulic characteristics and serve congruent purposes. A more integrated study of fish attraction (5-10%
of river flows), e-flows (80-95% exceedance flows), and flows near bankfull
discharge, which are key to river restoration and habitat modifications, may
benefit both ecological and project needs.
Integrating all three maximizes synergistic opportunities for more holistic,
effective and balanced projects and mitigation measures.