Type of project: Capacity Building

Impoundments on rivers are often critical for purposes such as power generation and water supply yet they can also reduce or prevent the natural movement of sediment downstream. Accumulation of sediment behind an impoundment can pose a risk to its intended use and result in adverse ecological consequences downstream due to sediment not being naturally replenished. This project developed initiatives to raise awareness of the commercial and environmental risks associated with sediment discontinuity caused by impoundments. Knowledge exchange activities with the hydropower community enabled the production of a video and infographic to communicate key messages. A hydropower scheme permit application guidance framework was also developed to assist both operators and regulators. Cost-benefit analysis evaluated the environmental and commercial effectiveness of various catchment sediment management options. Riparian planting and peatland restoration delivered a positive benefit in all cost-benefit scenarios, and in most scenarios, catchment-scale tree planting also generated positive benefits. SEPA and NatureScot have key leadership roles in disseminating these findings to the hydropower community and in managing rivers more broadly. The project also demonstrated a need within the hydropower community for further knowledge exchange activities which would likely maintain or improve river catchment health and reduce commercial risk.

Project Status: This project has completed. Click here to visit the publication page to view the project outputs.