How to Solve Conflicts-Hydropower and Ecology at the River Rhine

摘要

The basin of the river Rhine is marked by a high population density, a high degree of industrialization, and a very high amount of shipping. Wide parts of the river and its tributaries are equipped with a-bout 150 dams, including locks and hydropower plants. Though only a small protion of all electric energy produced in the Rhine river basin comes from hydropower, the hydropower plants play an important role in river ecology. Dams interrupt the river continuity and the migration of fish and other migrating animals. The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) claims to reach the "good ecological status" for all the river systems in the European Union, which means good water quality as well as good conditions according to the rivers' structure. After having identified the deficiencies, member states of the EU have to work out river basin management plans until 2009, in which—among others—all measures to restore the river continuity must be defined. Until 2015, these measures have to be implemented so far that the good ecological status is actually reached. Measures may consist of removing dams, re - indroducing migratory fish species, establishing fish passes, or adapting hydropower management to the migration of fish. International and inter - regional co -operation and participation are essential.