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Artificial high water affects ecology of running water

Dec 02, 2004 / alpMedia
A new WWF study shows that the artificial high-water (surges) and low-water (sinks) caused daily by hydraulic power plants are having disastrous repercussions on the ecosystem of running water.
Firstly living organisms and creatures are flushed away whenever water levels surge or are left dry when water levels recede. Secondly the entire river floor is clogged up and solidified by fine material, with a severe impact on the river bottom as a habitat. 16 of the 17 fish species remaining in the Alpenrhein are now at risk.
Source and information: www.wwf.ch/wwfdata/media/de/studie (de)