Abstract
Understanding the impact of hydroelectric development in the Brazilian Amazon is critical for maintaining ecological balance. This research evaluates the impact of the Balbina Dam on the Uatumã River's flow and landscape. We employ a method to measure flow regime changes, scoring these changes from 0 to 1. Additionally, we analyze landscape changes through satellite imagery. Results indicate a significant dam-induced alteration in downstream water flow, with a score of 0.638. However, the river's in-stream shape has not notably changed since the dam construction. Assessing lateral water movement in the adjacent forested areas is challenging with satellite data, necessitating on-ground studies for accurate mapping. By integrating flow measurement techniques with landscape analysis, this study provides insights into sustainable water management and ecosystem rehabilitation in the Amazon.
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The discharge data used in this study are collected from the Global Runoff Data Centre.
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The support for this study is received through the Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) led by IIT Kanpur.
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Mohanty, M. Assessing dam-induced alterations in an Amazonian tributary using river flow health index and planform parameters. Acta Geophys. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-024-01330-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-024-01330-6