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Assessment of river alteration using a new hydromorphological index

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 193, Article number: 226 (2021) Cite this article

Abstract

Main river systems in large watersheds are mostly destroyed due to intense human activities. These rivers are modified by a number of water infrastructures such as dams, diversion weirs, flood control structures, and sediment traps. Such modifications alter the hydrology, continuity, and habitat quality of river waterbodies and degrade their overall ecological status. This study provides a systematic and quantitative assessment of river hydromorphology with a composite index based on four sets of criteria (i.e., hydrology, channel continuity, habitat quality, and bed modification) to assess the level of human intervention. The developed index is tested and implemented in Gediz River Basin in Western Anatolia (Turkey), which is one of the most important watersheds with regard to human settlements as well as agricultural and industrial production. The results of the developed index have revealed values between 42.36 and 88.14 on a 0–100 scale and a gradual decline in overall river hydromorphological quality along the flow path. The analysis has shown that barrier effects were found to be crucial in reduced river continuity and bed modification for flood control has resulted in degraded instream and riverbank habitat quality. The developed index methodology can serve as a systematic tool for assessing the hydromorphology and its associated influence in the ecological status of rivers. It can further assist the decision-makers in planning and prioritizing river restoration projects.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The data that led to the formulation of the methodology presented in this study is collected by the authors as a part of Gediz River Basin Management Plan Project implemented for the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General Directorate of Water Management by The Scientific and Technology Research Council of Turkey—Marmara Research Center. The authors present their gratitude to Dr. Yakup KARAASLAN and Dr. Şebnem AYNUR for their support throughout the study.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, 35390, Turkey

    Orhan Gündüz

  2. Department of Drilling, Torbali Technical Vocational School of Higher Education, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, 35860, Turkey

    Celalettin Şimşek

Authors
  1. Orhan Gündüz
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  2. Celalettin Şimşek
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Correspondence to Orhan Gündüz.

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Gündüz, O., Şimşek, C. Assessment of river alteration using a new hydromorphological index. Environ Monit Assess 193, 226 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09018-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09018-w

Keywords

  • Hydromorphology index
  • River alteration
  • Human effects
  • Gediz River Basin
  • Turkey