An Integrated Modelling Study on the Effects of Weir Operation Scenarios on Aquatic Habitat Changes in the Yeongsan River

Byungwoong Choi, Byungik Kim, Jonghwan Park, Tae-Woo Kang, Dong-Seok Shin, Eun Hye Na and Jiyeon Choi
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Byungwoong Choi: Yeonsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju 61011, Korea
Byungik Kim: Yeonsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju 61011, Korea
Jonghwan Park: Yeonsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju 61011, Korea
Tae-Woo Kang: Yeonsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju 61011, Korea
Dong-Seok Shin: Yeonsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju 61011, Korea
Eun Hye Na: National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
Jiyeon Choi: Yeonsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju 61011, Korea

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: The Seungchon and Juksan Weirs were constructed in 2012 through four major river projects to control floods and secure water in the Yeongsan River. However, anthropogenic changes in the environment can lead to loss of biodiversity and longitudinal connectivity and the deterioration of ecosystem health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of physical and chemical changes in the Yeongsan River on aquatic habitats through an integrated (water quality–aquatic habitat) model (i.e., Delft3D and HABITAT). The target species used to simulate habitat suitability included Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (an endemic fish), Cyprinus carpio , and Micropterus salmoides (an invasive species of fish). Based on the results, maintaining the lowest water level in one of the two weirs was predicted to improve the habitat of the target species. In particular, the habitat area was greatly improved, especially when the Juksan Weir was completely opened. Furthermore, resistance to environmental changes due to habitat area changes indicates that invasive species adapt more to environmental changes than endemic species. This study suggests that physical and chemical changes in the environment can predict the impact on the health of the aquatic ecosystems, which will be useful in establishing an integrated water management plan. These results can be used as basic data for supporting water management policy, to apply an aquatic ecology prediction model suitable for the Yeongsan River system, and to present a management plan for improving the health of an aquatic ecosystem.

Keywords: Delft3D; HABITAT; aquatic habitat; water quality; weir operation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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