Why is Hydraulic Engineering Expertise an Integral Part ofEcosystem Restoration of Rivers?

摘要

Ecosystem restoration of any environment requires the expertise of engineers,biologists, environmental professionals, managers, economists and the society as awhole. All these experts and stake holders do and will contribute in one facet oranother to the overall goal of the restoration or revitalization of streams and rivers torecapture or reestablish the ecosystem functions. This paper will concentrate on howthe hydraulic engineers do and can play a vital role in this endeavor. Channelizationof a meandering river does result in the reduction of deep water habitats in the poolsand the high velocity area within a riffle. Stabilization of stream banks with stones orriprap could damage the covers that are essential for aquatic habitats. Changing riverregime may alter the flow structure and the velocity distribution which could result infish egg mortality and reduced habitats for the fish fries. Construction of dams willeliminate the upstream migration of the fishes depriving them their spawninghabitats. These are just some of the examples where hydraulic design could haveadverse impacts on the streams, rivers and lakes. However, with some slightmodifications of the hydraulic design, these and other hydraulic structures mayenhance the aquatic habitats rather than being detrimental to it. This paper will showsome practical examples of how hydraulic engineers could play a vital role in theecosystem restoration of the streams, rivers, and lakes.