Articles | Volume 27, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1493-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1493-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
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06 Apr 2023
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 06 Apr 2023
| 06 Apr 2023
Patterns and drivers of water quality changes associated with dams in the Tropical Andes
Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Department of Surface Waters, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institution of
Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
Department of Earth System Science, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
Silvia López-Casas
Wildlife Conservation Society Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
Grupo de Ictiología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Daniel Valencia-Rodríguez
Grupo de Ictiología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
Fundacion Horizonte Verde, Cumaral, Colombia
Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología AC, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
Camilo Bernal-Forero
Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales, Bogotá, Colombia
Juliana Delgado
The Nature Conservancy Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
Bernhard Wehrli
Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Department of Surface Waters, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institution of
Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland
Luz Jiménez-Segura
Grupo de Ictiología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Executive editor
The quest for low-carbon energy sources is driving a wave of new hydropower dam construction throughout the world. This is particularly the case in mountain regions such as the Andes, where a very large, untapped potential for hydropower still exists. It is therefore essential to get a better grip on the side-effects of dam development, and their impact on water quality is a very important but highly understudied aspect of those. This is again particularly timely and relevant in tropical regions, which are facing a perfect storm of limited data availability, poorly understood processes, and major challenges for sustainable development.
The quest for low-carbon energy sources is driving a wave of new hydropower dam construction...
Short summary
Dams are an important and rapidly growing means of energy generation in the Tropical Andes of South America. To assess the impacts of dams in the region, we assessed differences in the upstream and downstream water quality of all hydropower dams in Colombia. We found evidence of substantial dam-induced changes in water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and suspended sediments. Dam-induced changes in Colombian waters violate regulations and are likely impacting aquatic life.
Dams are an important and rapidly growing means of energy generation in the Tropical Andes of...
