Climate-risk informed reservoir operation for improved energy production and fisheries in the lower Mekong river basin : a case study of the 3S river basin | |
| Author | Basnet, Binaya |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.WM-24-08 |
| Subject(s) | Climatic changes--Mekong River Watershed--Case studies Reservoir drawdown--Mekong River Watershed--Case studies Reservoirs--Mekong River Watershed--Management |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Water Engineering and Management, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis; no. WM-24-08 |
| Abstract | This study provides an analysis of the intricate relationships between hydrological processes, climate change, and fish catch dynamics within the Sekong River Basin. The significant impact of climate change on water availability is underscored, with projections revealing a consistent downward trend in discharge and inflow under different future scenarios. This highlights the urgency of adaptive water management strategies to mitigate potential water scarcity issues. The climate change projections generated using General Circulation Models (GCMs) indicate a clear upward trend in temperature levels across the basin. Specifically, the daily maximum temperature (tasmax) is projected to increase by 1.22°C to 3.80°C, while the daily minimum temperature (tasmin) shows a rise of 1.29°C to 3.88°C under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. This rise in temperature, coupled with variable but generally increasing precipitation patterns, presents challenges for water resource management and ecosystem sustainability. The evaluation of reservoir operation strategies demonstrates the importance of improving release policies to increase hydropower generation while maintaining downstream ecological integrity. Significant increases in energy production are observed across various scenarios, highlighting the effectiveness of these policies. Lastly, the study elucidates the complex relationship between river discharge and fish catch (CPUE) within the basin. The implementation of improved reservoir release policies, which mimic natural flow conditions more closely by releasing more water during the wet season and less water during the dry season, shows promising results. While varying trends in fish catch are observed under different climate scenarios, the implementation of improved reservoir release strategies shows a positive impact on fish catch, with notable increases observed across scenarios. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the interplay between hydrological processes, climate change, and fisheries in the Sekong River Basin. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis; no. WM-24-08 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Engineering and Management (WM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shrestha, Sangam; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shanmugam, Mohana Sundaram;Natthachet Tangdamrongsub; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Scholarships; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |