Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows

This study presents a comprehensive approach to developing an effective monitoring system for e- flow implementation in river ecosystems using high-resolution 3D modeling and modern sensor technology. The research focuses on the Limpopo and Incomati basins in Southern Africa. Environmental flows (e-...

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Main Authors: O'Brien, G. C., Kaiser-Reichel, A., McNeil, T., van der Waal, B. W., Huchzermeyer, N., Singh, S., Pringle, J., Harvey, T. A., Maharaj, U., Singh, K., Cronje, L.
Format: Informe técnico
Language:Inglés
Published: International Water Management Institute 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/139493
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author O'Brien, G. C.
Kaiser-Reichel, A.
McNeil, T.
van der Waal, B. W.
Huchzermeyer, N.
Singh, S.
Pringle, J.
Harvey, T. A.
Maharaj, U.
Singh, K.
Cronje, L.
author_browse Cronje, L.
Harvey, T. A.
Huchzermeyer, N.
Kaiser-Reichel, A.
Maharaj, U.
McNeil, T.
O'Brien, G. C.
Pringle, J.
Singh, K.
Singh, S.
van der Waal, B. W.
author_facet O'Brien, G. C.
Kaiser-Reichel, A.
McNeil, T.
van der Waal, B. W.
Huchzermeyer, N.
Singh, S.
Pringle, J.
Harvey, T. A.
Maharaj, U.
Singh, K.
Cronje, L.
author_sort O'Brien, G. C.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This study presents a comprehensive approach to developing an effective monitoring system for e- flow implementation in river ecosystems using high-resolution 3D modeling and modern sensor technology. The research focuses on the Limpopo and Incomati basins in Southern Africa. Environmental flows (e-flows) represent the volume and quality of water that needs to remain in a river to sustain the ecosystem and hence all those who benefit from a functional ecosystem (thus, society and the economy). The objective of this study is to support the implementation of e-flows around the world which has been poor despite a wide-spread acceptance of the philosophy. While monitoring e-flow volumes (and quality) is a relatively simple matter, monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed e-flow requires that evidence of a sustained ecosystem is collected, ideally together with evidence of the impact on beneficiaries of that ecosystem. This project investigates whether appropriate digital tools and real-time data could assist with the management, education, awareness and implementation of e-flows. This project includes digital approaches to monitoring the change in river ecosystems following the implementation of e-flows in two river basins in southern Africa, facilitating an adaptive management approach for sustainable water resources management globally. This report documents the development of an e-flow implementation monitoring approach based on a high-resolution 3D model (2D hydraulic modelling) of river sites that would be used to document changes in river ecosystem structure over time. This will be linked to the use of modern sensors that will be attached to fish as well as to hard substrates that will enable real-time monitoring of the ecological acceptability of e-flow implementation including water quantity and quality management. Coupled with this will be an upgrade of the PROBFLO e-flow framework to make it more accessible and usable, thus facilitating the use of the model outputs by basin authorities for long- term e-flow management that would include investigation of future scenarios. The project aims to advance the PROBFLO e-flow framework, integrating 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic modeling to understand the intricate relationships between river flow dynamics and habitat availability. The study emphasizes the importance of eco-hydraulic models in predicting river changes and their impact on aquatic habitats, employing advanced survey technologies like LiDAR, ADCP, and hydrographic surveys.
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institution CGIAR Consortium
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publishDate 2023
publishDateRange 2023
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spelling CGSpace1394932025-11-17T08:48:01Z Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows O'Brien, G. C. Kaiser-Reichel, A. McNeil, T. van der Waal, B. W. Huchzermeyer, N. Singh, S. Pringle, J. Harvey, T. A. Maharaj, U. Singh, K. Cronje, L. water management environmental flows modelling This study presents a comprehensive approach to developing an effective monitoring system for e- flow implementation in river ecosystems using high-resolution 3D modeling and modern sensor technology. The research focuses on the Limpopo and Incomati basins in Southern Africa. Environmental flows (e-flows) represent the volume and quality of water that needs to remain in a river to sustain the ecosystem and hence all those who benefit from a functional ecosystem (thus, society and the economy). The objective of this study is to support the implementation of e-flows around the world which has been poor despite a wide-spread acceptance of the philosophy. While monitoring e-flow volumes (and quality) is a relatively simple matter, monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed e-flow requires that evidence of a sustained ecosystem is collected, ideally together with evidence of the impact on beneficiaries of that ecosystem. This project investigates whether appropriate digital tools and real-time data could assist with the management, education, awareness and implementation of e-flows. This project includes digital approaches to monitoring the change in river ecosystems following the implementation of e-flows in two river basins in southern Africa, facilitating an adaptive management approach for sustainable water resources management globally. This report documents the development of an e-flow implementation monitoring approach based on a high-resolution 3D model (2D hydraulic modelling) of river sites that would be used to document changes in river ecosystem structure over time. This will be linked to the use of modern sensors that will be attached to fish as well as to hard substrates that will enable real-time monitoring of the ecological acceptability of e-flow implementation including water quantity and quality management. Coupled with this will be an upgrade of the PROBFLO e-flow framework to make it more accessible and usable, thus facilitating the use of the model outputs by basin authorities for long- term e-flow management that would include investigation of future scenarios. The project aims to advance the PROBFLO e-flow framework, integrating 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic modeling to understand the intricate relationships between river flow dynamics and habitat availability. The study emphasizes the importance of eco-hydraulic models in predicting river changes and their impact on aquatic habitats, employing advanced survey technologies like LiDAR, ADCP, and hydrographic surveys. 2023-12-01 2024-02-16T17:27:10Z 2024-02-16T17:27:10Z Report https://hdl.handle.net/10568/139493 en Open Access application/pdf International Water Management Institute CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation O’Brien, G. C.; Kaiser-Reichel, A.; McNeil, T.; van der Waal, B. W.; Huchzermeyer, N.; Singh, S.; Pringle, J.; Harvey, T. A.; Maharaj, U.; Singh, K.; Cronje, L. 2023. Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation. 25p.
spellingShingle water management
environmental flows
modelling
O'Brien, G. C.
Kaiser-Reichel, A.
McNeil, T.
van der Waal, B. W.
Huchzermeyer, N.
Singh, S.
Pringle, J.
Harvey, T. A.
Maharaj, U.
Singh, K.
Cronje, L.
Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
title Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
title_full Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
title_fullStr Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
title_full_unstemmed Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
title_short Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
title_sort development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach using digital technology to construct accurate 3d hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows
topic water management
environmental flows
modelling
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/139493
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