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Fishponds built across streams can greatly affect their functioning, especially through loss of ecological continuity but also changes in water availability and trophic resources. Yet, their consequences on communities and stream functioning remain largely understudied. We investigated effects of fishpond dams on the trophic ecology of macroinvertebrate communities in temporary low-order streams using C and N stable isotopes. Food resources and macroinvertebrates were sampled in one upstream and one downstream site of two temporary streams, one stream without (reference stream) versus one with a fishpond (impacted stream) and used for isotopic analyses. Results suggested moderate effects of fishponds on the upstream tributaries. In contrast, at the downstream impacted site, ten times higher macroinvertebrate biomass and modifications in the trophic niches were recorded, likely due to changes in resource availability/quality and dam-related hydrology. By modifying the food sources as well as water fluxes, fishpond dams tend to alter macroinvertebrate communities but also shift the trophic dynamics downstream. This assessment stresses the need for exploring their impacts on food webs and nutrient fluxes at larger downstream distances to better understand their effects before drawing conclusions in regard to their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dams alter the geomorphology, water quality, temperature regime, and flow regime of lotic systems influencing the resources and habitat of fish, benthic invertebrates, and lower trophic levels. Since the inception of the river continuum concept and the serial discontinuity concept (SDC), biotic and abiotic impacts below impoundments have been the focus of many lotic studies. However, recovery gradients below dams are rarely examined in sufficient detail and no current synthesis of longitudinal impacts in regulated rivers exists. This understanding is needed to build ecological relationships in regulated rivers to inform environmental flows science and management. In this review, we provide evidence for SDC predictions on physical, chemical, and biological recovery in regulated rivers. Additionally, we determine how these changes are reflected in the benthic community. Our review suggests that two recovery gradients exist in regulated rivers: (1) a longer, thermal gradient taking up to hundreds of kilometres downstream; and (2) a shorter, resource subsidy gradient recovering within 1-4 km downstream of an impoundment. Total benthic invertebrate abundance varies considerably, with both increases and reductions observed at near-dam sites and varying in recovery downstream. Much of this variability stems from the degree of flow alteration and resource subsidies from the upstream reservoir. In contrast, benthic diversity is often reduced below dams irrespective of dam location and operation with little recovery observed downstream. The community at near-dam sites is largely composed of filter-feeding invertebrates which are quickly replaced downstream, while stoneflies are reduced below impoundments with limited downstream recovery. Despite a lack of formal testing, studies support SDC predictions. The SDC still provides a useful theoretical framework for hypothesis testing, and future studies should further expand the SDC to include empirical estimation within the context of the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ganga, the national river of India, is now sadly depleted in flow and utterly polluted due to construction of dams and barrages, discharge of untreated municipal and industrial wastes, floral offerings, cremation of dead bodies on its bank. Kanpur to Trighat is identified as the most polluted section of the river. This critical state of the river has been revealed in the paper based on an analysis of the published accounts and research results by various institutes and individuals. It also sheds light on the strategies and action plans to rejuvenate the Ganga to its pristine quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Pleistocene deposits of the valley of the River Piedra (NE Spain) are represented by thick tufas with small amounts of detrital material; the development of these deposits correlates with marine isotopic stages 9, 7, 6, and 5. The sedimentary scenario in which they formed mostly corresponded to stepped fluvial systems with barrage-cascade and associated dammed areas separated by low gradient fluvial stretches. Mapping and determining the sedimentology and chronology of these deposits distinguished two main episodes of fluvial diffluence that originated as a result of the temporary blockage of the river — a consequence of the vertical growth of tufa barrages in the main channel. In both episodes, water spilt out toward a secondary course from areas upstream of barrages where the water level surpassed the height of the divide between the main and secondary course. As a consequence, extensive and distinct tufa deposits with very varied facies formed over a gently inclined area toward and, indeed, within the secondary course. The hydrology of this secondary course was episodic, fed only by surface water. The two diffluence episodes detected occurred during MIS 7 and 7–6 and were interrupted by incision events, reflected by detrital deposits at the base of each tufa sedimentation stage in the main channel. Incision, which caused the breakage of the barrages, allowed water to again flow through the main channel. No evidence of diffluence was seen in any younger (MIS 5 to present-day) tufa deposits. The proposed diffluence model might help explain other carbonate fluvial systems in which (1) tufas appear in areas with no permanent water supply, and (2) tufas are absent over extensive areas despite conditions favourable to their formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We used ultrasound imaging and passive integrated transponder (PIT)-tagging programs to assess maturation status and iteroparity patterns in summer-run steelhead (anadromous rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss) of the interior Columbia River Basin (Pacific Northwest, USA). Postspawn kelts examined in downstream fish bypass systems at Columbia River and Snake River dams were disproportionately female (>80%) and majorities were of wild origin, unlike prespawn steelhead at these sites. Annual repeat migration estimates varied from 2.9% to 9.0% for kelts tagged at lower Columbia River dams (n = 2542) and from 0.5% to 1.2% for Snake River kelts (n = 3762). Among-site differences reflected greater outmigration distance and additional dam passage hazards for Snake River kelts. There was also strong evidence for condition-dependent mortality, with returns an order of magnitude higher for good- versus poor-condition kelts. Disproportionately more females and wild fish also returned, providing potentially valuable genetic and demographic benefits for the Columbia River’s threatened steelhead populations. Results overall provide baseline data for evaluating kelt mortality mitigation efforts and basic life history information for steelhead conservation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Naukluft Mountains on the eastern edge of the central Namib Desert contain numerous, largely inactive, fluvial tufas within headwater streams of the ephemeral Tsondab River which currently terminates in a vlei in the Namib sand sea. Extensive tufa barrage deposits have been mapped and described along the Brandfontein River, a small (6.5 km long) tributary of the Tsondab River. Here, a series of large barrages have developed along the river system which culminate in a large tufa cascade feature at the mountain front. Tufa facies at Brandfontein include cemented colluvial and fluvial gravels and boulders, moss tufas, as well as reed and root facies. The sequences provide evidence of several cut and fill phases which are interpreted as indicating alternating periods of tufa deposition and fluvial downcutting. The Brandfontein tufas are used to propose a three phase arid fluvial tufa deposition model in which erosive high magnitude, low frequency floods punctuate periods of quiescence and tufa deposition. Extensive downstream prograding ramped barrages and tufa cemented fluvial gravels are key components of this tufa deposition model, which illustrates the role of climate and topography in shaping tufa deposit morphologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Tapi is a major interstate, westerly flowing river with 14 tributaries, of which the left bank tributaries support large settlements in Maharashtra State. It has been identified as one of the water scarce basins of India. There are many dams and barrages in the basin to store and divert water for agricultural and industrial purposes. This results in low flow and deterioration of water quality in the region particularly in non‐monsoon months. This paper presents the details of a GIS‐based rainfall‐runoff modelling study carried out to assess the runoff flow in the sub‐catchments and at the outlet of the Tapi Basin. Using mean monthly rainfall data at seven gauging stations in the basin, and land use and soil characteristics as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the annual runoff flow at the watershed outlet was estimated to be 18,814 MCM. A comparison of runoff generated in the sub‐catchments and the observed runoff at Central Water Commission (CWC) monitoring stations is presented. Results of the simulation indicate that the reduced river flows caused by the number of dams/reservoirs constructed upstream are useful as a guideline for the development of environmental flow regulations for rivers and streams in the Tapi Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant – Singapore's fourth desalination plant and the island city-state's first large-scale, dual-mode desalination facility – is now up and running. Over three years ago Keppel Infrastructure Holdings Pte Ltd and national water agency PUB unveiled the innovative design for the facility at a ground-breaking ceremony conducted at the Marina Barrage (Membrane Technology , July 2017, pages 1 & 16). This article provides an update to previous coverage of this major project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]