Articles | Volume 27, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2001-2023
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-2001-2023
Research article
 | 
26 May 2023
Research article |  | 26 May 2023

Quantifying the trade-offs in re-operating dams for the environment in the Lower Volta River

Afua Owusu, Jazmin Zatarain Salazar, Marloes Mul, Pieter van der Zaag, and Jill Slinger

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Cited articles

Abubakari, S.: Assessing impacts of climate change on hydrology in data-scarce Volta River Basin using downscaled reanalysis data, Int. J. Hydrol. Sci. Technol., 12, 176–201, https://doi.org/10.1504/IJHST.2021.116667, 2021. 
Acheampong, T., Menyeh, B. O., and Agbevivi, D. E.: Ghana's Changing Electricity Supply Mix and Tariff Pricing Regime: Implications for the Energy Trilemma, Oil, Gas & Energy Law, 9, 1–21, 2021. 
Acreman, M., Arthington, A. H., Colloff, M. J., Couch, C., Crossman, N. D., Dyer, F., Overton, I., Pollino, C. A., Stewardson, M. J., and Young, W.: Environmental flows for natural, hybrid, and novel riverine ecosystems in a changing world, Front. Ecol. Environ., 12, 466–473, https://doi.org/10.1890/130134, 2014. 
Adjei-Boateng, D., Agbo, N. W., Agbeko, N. A., Obirikorang, K. A., and Amisah, S.: The Current State of the Clam, Galatea paradoxa, Fishery at the Lower Volta River, Ghana, in: IIFET 2012 Tanzania Proceedings, 1–12 July 2012, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.1966.6883, 2012. 
Aerts, J. C. J. H., Renssen, H., Ward, P. J., De Moel, H., Odada, E., Bouwer, L. M., and Goosse, H.: Sensitivity of global river discharges under Holocene and future climate conditions, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, 19401, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027493, 2006. 
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Short summary
The construction of two dams in the Lower Volta River, Ghana, adversely affected downstream riverine ecosystems and communities. In contrast, Ghana has enjoyed vast economic benefits from the dams. Herein lies the challenge; there exists a trade-off between water for river ecosystems and water for anthropogenic water demands such hydropower. In this study, we quantify these trade-offs and show that there is room for providing environmental flows under current and future climatic conditions.