environmental flows- detailed assessment of the rivers of

Transcription

environmental flows- detailed assessment of the rivers of
“ ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWSDETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THE
RIVERS OF MAHANDI BASIN OF INDIA ”
A
DISSERTATION
Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the
Degree of
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
In
CIVIL ENGINEERING
With specialization in
WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING
By
ANURAN BHATTACHARJEE
Under the supervision
Of
PROF. (Dr) RAMAKAR JHA
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ROURKELA-769008, INDIA
2013-2014
“ENVIRONMENTAL
FLOWS-
DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THE
RIVERS OF MAHANADI BASIN OF INDIA”
A
DISSERTATION
Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the
Degree of
MASTER OF TECHNOLOGY
In
CIVIL ENGINEERING
With specialization in
WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING
By
ANURAN BHATTACHARJEE
Under the supervision
Of
PROF. (Dr) RAMAKAR JHA
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ROURKELA-769008, INDIA
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ROURKELA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Dissertation entitled “ENVIRONMENT FLOWS-DETAILED
ASSESSMENT OF THE RIVERS OF MAHANDI BASIN OF INDIA ” submitted by
ANURAN BHATTACHARJEE to the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Technology
in Civil Engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering is a
record of bona fide research work carried out by him under my supervision
and guidance during the academic session 2013-2014.
To the best of my knowledge, the results contained in this thesis have not
been submitted to any other University or Institute for the award of any
degree or diploma.
DATE:
SUPERVISOR
DR. RAMAKAR JHA
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ROURKELA
i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The completion of this research is hereby accomplished by gaining support of a group of
people rather than my individual effort. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to everyone
who assisted me to fulfil this work.
First and foremost I offer my deep and sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Ramakar Jha,
who has constantly supported me throughout my dissertation with his patience and
knowledge while allowing me the room to work in my own way. He has spent countless
hours helping me and believing in my abilities, I could not have asked for a better person to
work under. One simply could not wish for a better or friendlier supervisor.
I am very grateful to all other faculty members of the Civil Engineering department,
especially of Water Resources specialization, for their helpful suggestions during my entire
course work. In addition, I would like to acknowledge Central Water Commission,
Bhubaneswar for providing the facilities for my research that allowed me the opportunity to
learn and expand my knowledge of Environmental Flow.
I also wish to extend my thanks to all my friends who really helped me in every possible way
they could.
Last but certainly not the least, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents for their
encouragement. They have always stood behind me even when none of us were sure about
my decisions. And I have no doubt that they will always be there for me no matter what.
Their patience and moral support have boosted me to the end, since obtaining Master’s
degree was a long term commitment.
DATE:
ANURAN BHATTACHARJEE
PLACE: ROURKELA
(ROLL No. - 212ce4485)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ROURKELA- 769008
INDIA
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................iv
LIST OF FIGURES.....................................................................................................v
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................vi
ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................vii
1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................01
1.1 CONCEPT AND ITS RATIONALE...............................................................01
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVE............................................................................ ....03
1.3 THESIS OUTLINE........................................................................................04
2. LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................05
2.1 HRDROLOGICAL INDEX APPROACHES...................................................05
2.2 HOLISTIC APPROACHES...........................................................................08
2.3 DETAILED DEKSTOP ANALYSIS...............................................................09
3. THE STUDY AREA AND THE ESTIMATION SITES............................................10
3.1 PRIMARY DELINEATION OF THE MAHANADI RIVER BASIN.................10
3.2 ESTIMATION OF THE SITES.......................................................................12
3.3 DATA COLLECTION AND TIME SERIES...................................................12
4. METHODOLOGY..................................................................................................17
4.1 TENNAT METHOD (APPROACH 1)...............................................................17
4.2 RVA ANALYSIS (APPROACH 2)...................................................................18
4.3 FDC AND FLOW INDICES (APPROACH 3)..................................................18
4.4.1 7Q10.........................................................................................................19
4.4.2 7Q5...........................................................................................................19
iii
4.4.3 7Q2...........................................................................................................20
4.4.4 7Q20.........................................................................................................20
4.4.5 7Q50.........................................................................................................20
4.4.6 Q95...........................................................................................................20
4.4.7 Q90...........................................................................................................21
4.4 EMC AND FDC SHIFT (APPROACH 4).........................................................22
4.5 SPATIAL INTERPOLATION METHOD (APPROACH 5)...............................23
5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS...........................................................................24
5.1 TENNANT METHOD (APPROACH 1)............................................................24
5.2 RVA ANALYSIS (APPROACH 2)...................................................................26
5.3 FDC AND LOW FLOW DURATION INDICES (APPROACH 3).....................34
5.4 EMC AND FDC SHIFT (APPROACH 4).........................................................43
5.5 SPATIAL INTERPOLATION METHOD (APPROACH 5)...............................47
6. CONCLUSIONS....................................................................................................49
6.1 CONCLUDING REMARKS..........................................................................49
6.2 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTISES FOR MAINTAINING EF....................50
6.3 FUTURE SCOPE OF THE STUDY................................................. ............51
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................52
APPENDIX................................................................................................................57
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE I:
Description of selected gauging stations in MRB..............................................12
TABLE II:
Mean, Coefficient of Variance & Standard Deviation for the eight stations.....16
TABLE III: Illustration of Montana (Tennant) method.........................................................17
iv
TABLE IV: Environmental Management classes (EMC) & default limits for FDC shift....22
TABLE V:
Results of Tennant method in MRB..................................................................25
TABLE VI: Computation of EF by RVA method in MRB...................................................33
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 3.1: Location of the gauging sites in MRB.............................................................11
FIGURE 3.2 (a): Mean daily Flow at station EF1.................................................................13
FIGURE 3.2 (b): Mean daily Flow at station EF2.................................................................13
FIGURE 3.2 (c): Mean daily Flow at station EF3.................................................................14
FIGURE 3.2 (d): Mean daily Flow at station EF4.................................................................14
FIGURE 3.2 (e): Mean daily Flow at station EF5.................................................................14
FIGURE 3.2 (f): Mean daily Flow at station EF6..................................................................15
FIGURE 3.2 (g): Mean daily Flow at station EF7.................................................................15
FIGURE 3.2 (h): Mean daily Flow at station EF8.................................................................15
FIGURE 5.1: Comparison of Extreme Low flow Peaks……………………………………26
FIGURE 5.2: Comparison of Extreme Low flow durations………………………………...27
FIGURE 5.3: Comparison of Extreme Low flow frequency………………………………..27
FIGURE 5.4: Comparison of the number of zero flow days………………………………..28
FIGURE 5.5: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF1…………………...29
FIGURE 5.6: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF2…………………...29
FIGURE 5.7: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF3…………………...30
FIGURE 5.8: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF4…………………...30
FIGURE 5.9: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF5…………………...31
FIGURE 5.10: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF6…………………31
FIGURE 5.11: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF7…………………32
FIGURE 5.12: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF8…………………32
FIGURE 5.13: Comparison of the 7-day minimum flow for 7 Stations……………………33
FIGURE 5.14: Figure showing Q95, Q90, Q85, Q80, 7Q10 & comparison of FDC’s-EF1.35
FIGURE 5.15: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF2..................... ....36
FIGURE 5.16: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF3...........................37
FIGURE 5.17: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF4...........................38
FIGURE 5.18: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF5...........................39
v
FIGURE 5.19: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF6...........................40
FIGURE 5.20: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF7...........................41
FIGURE 5.21: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF8...........................42
FIGURE 5.22: EMC at station EF1........................................................................................43
FIGURE 5.23: EMC at station EF2........................................................................................43
FIGURE 5.24: EMC at station EF3........................................................................................44
FIGURE 5.25: EMC at station EF4........................................................................................44
FIGURE 5.26: EMC at station EF5........................................................................................44
FIGURE 5.27: EMC at station EF6........................................................................................45
FIGURE 5.28: EMC at station EF7........................................................................................45
FIGURE 5.29: EMC at station EF8........................................................................................45
FIGURE 5.30: Fitting of Drought year FDC of station EF2 to fit the EMC..........................46
FIGURE 5.31: Illustration of spatial Interpolation procedure to generate a complete a
monthly time series for the destination site EF4............................................47
FIGURE 5.32: Anomalies for EF2 and EF3- analysis of the dry year 2003-03..................48
LIST OF ABBREVATIONS
PARTICULAR
DESCRIPTION
EF
Environmental Flow
IRBM
Integrated River Basin Management
UN
United Nations
IFA
Instream flow assessment
BBM
Building Block method
CWC
Central Water Commission
MRB
Mahanadi River Basin
WQAA
Water quality assessment authority
MAF
Mean Annual Flow
RVA
Range of Variability Analysis
IHA
Indicators of hydrologic Alterations
EFC
Environmental Flow component
FDC
Flow Duration Curve
EMC
Environmental Management class
EWR
Environmental water requirement
SD
Standard deviation
vi
ABSTRACT
Environmental flow (EF) is referred as the amount of water regarded as sufficient for shielding or
maintaining the construction & function of an ecosystem and its dependent species. River
systems attain zero flow due to construction of water Retaining Structures, Hydropower
generating Structures, construction of bridges etc. which possess a tremendous and huge threat to
the environment, ecology & aquatic life of the river systems. Thus, Environment Flow
assessment is done in order to analyse and infer the natural flow regime of the river which is
required to be in existence for the sustainability of the ecosystem.
In the present work, we are going to assess the Environmental Flow of the Mahanadi River Basin
based on the Tennant method, RVA (Range of Variability Analysis), Flow Duration curve (FDC)
& Flow Indices method (i.e 7Q10, 7Q2 etc), FDC shift and Spatial Interpolation method (applied
on FDC). Tennant (or Montana) method utilizes a percentage of the average annual Flow (MAF)
for two separate six month periods to classify the various circumstances of flow, whereas RVA
uses IHA (Indicators of hydrologic Alterations) applications, to determine low flow, high flow,
maximum high flow etc. Flow Indices (Q95, Q90 etc.) and the 7Q10, 7Q2 methods are computed
with which the different low discharges are determined for the eight stations covering the whole
Mahanadi river basin. Environmental Management classes are categorised here such that by
shifting the FDC for each and every station, the flow can be analysed from the extreme modified
(very poor) flow to the high flow. Spatial Interpolation method using the Flow-Duration curve
computes the discharge of the destination station using the value of the source station. The Low
discharge and the High discharge for the eight individual stations are computed for the various
seasons to maintain an unrestricted flow over the entire river basin, ensuring that the balance of
the river ecosystem is highly maintained. Our main focus is to maintain the Environmental Flow
with a very small percentage of mean annual flow, which would serve our each and every
purpose, ranging from aquatic life to the water quality of the river.
Keywords: EF, Tennant, RVA, FDC, 7Q10, 7Q2, 7Q5, 7Q20, 7Q50, EMC, Spatial Interpolation.
vi
CHAPTER-01
INTRODUCTION
1.1 THE CONCEPT AND ITS RATIONALE
Water is a very weighty term since it’s an integral part of an ecosystem, both in qualitative
and quantitative terms. Diminished magnitude of water and deteriorated water value both
have grave destructive influences on ecosystems. The environment has a natural selfpurifying capacity and are flexible to water shortages. But when these are exceeded,
inhabitants are affected, ecological systems are hampered, bio-diversity is lost, aquatic life is
damaged. The river system is one of the primary natural ecosystems and has a deep-rooted
relationship with the human beings. During the precedent centuries, the world-wide human
population had increased exponentially resulting in six-fold increase of the area of the
irrigated land and eight-fold increase of the quantity of water drawn from the freshwater
ecosystem. In today’s date, the modern governance of the river basins has made a tangible
shift towards “Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM)”—a tactic that looks at both
water and land management to ensure that the river systems can be developed and augment
its uses in a sustainable manner. A vital part of this approach is the assessment and
preservation of Environmental Flows – ‘sufficient water to uphold the integrity and
functioning of aquatic ecosystems and the allied socio-economic and cultural functions’ (UN,
2005). Freshwater systems are domicile to 40% of all fish species in less than 0.01% of the
world’s total surface water, and when water-associated amphibians, reptiles and mammals are
included to the fish totals, they collectively account for as much as one third of global
vertebrate biodiversity (O’Keeffe and Le Quesne, 2009). During recent decades, scientists
have amassed considerable evidence that a river’s flow regime – its variable pattern of high
and low flows throughout the year, as well as variation across many years – exerts great
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influence on river ecosystems. It has been observed that if there is an environmental flow in a
river basin, then that river basin has very high socio-economic values and that also with no
revenue losses. Each component of a flow regime – ranging from low flows to floods – plays
an important role in shaping a river ecosystem. The science of environmental, or in-stream,
flow assessments (EFAs or IFAs) has progressed over the last five decades, as a means to
facilitate restrain, and conceivably to some extent annul, this degradation. Most major
manoeuvring of flow regimes are linked to in-channel large dams. Fabricated to store water,
mainly during the wet season, and transport it either downstream or offstream as entailed,
dams have the potential to broadly amend natural patterns of river flow. In extreme cases,
river flow can be changed from perennial to seasonal, or vice versa, small and medium-sized
floods can be absolutely utilized by the dam, and seasonal reversal of downstream flow
regimes can transpire as stored flood water is discharged during the dry season. Some of them
most appropriate definitions given by various sources are provided below:
E-Flows as the water regime provided within a river, wetland or coastal zone to maintain
ecosystems and their benefits where there are competing water uses and where flows are
regulated (IUCN,, 2003).
Environmental flows describe the quantity, timing, and quality of water flows required to
sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods and well being that
depend on these ecosystems (10th International River Symposium, Brisbane, 2007).
Human interference in the natural ecosystem, have played a crucial role in the change of
morphology, ecological water balance, climate change, modification in land use pattern,
deficiency of commercial fisheries in many estuaries and costal regions. Environmental flows
are exceptionally crucial to shield and maintain the environment, ecology, river morphology,
aquatic life, pollution and water relocation among surface water and Ground water. Looking
at the river basin features (land use, soil consistency, geography), rainfall type, availability of
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ground water, population, industrialization, water contamination from non-point sources as
well as point sources, requirement and demand of water for religious and irrigation purposes,
expenditure of water conservation for various purposes, proper methodologies should be
applied for the computation for the computation of the EF. The in-stream water at any
position on the stream may have to meet at least some in part some of the downstream
demands. These demands generally includes: aquatic ecology, drinking and domestic
requirements of the riparian communities, River morphology and the characteristics of its
basin at certain points, cultural and religious requirements, agricultural uses and the need of
downstream political units. In actuality, EF are one such observable fact which needs
immediate attention by the policy makers and the planners. In the developing countries
where human population are growing very fast, they are very much relying on the limited
water resources and often on a range of other river resources as well.
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present work is to assess the environmental flow (EF) required for the eight
stations, covering the entire Mahanadi river basin, analysing it with the different state-of-theart methods and hence applying the best-fit, to determine the quantity of flow required for
various season.
The objectives are:
i)
The study of the EF concept used in the global context and the time-series analysis of the
Hydrological data of the river systems for and also for the different extreme conditions
(both for monsoon and non-monsoon).
ii) To reassess existing methods for computation of EF and evaluate their validity.
iii) Analysis of the EF using different techniques and their comparison to determine the bestfit method, which can be used for different purpose in MRB and hence suggest the best
management practices for maintaining EF of MRB.
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1.3 THESIS OUTLINE
Chapter 1 introduces with the concept of the environmental flows, its justification for
practicing in the river system and the objectives of the dissertation.
Chapter 2 deals with the previous research works on the hydrological models of the EF flow,
IFA and also with the assessment of the river water quality.
Chapter 3 gives a vivid description on the geographical location of the river basin, its
characteristics and the description of the gauge stations. This chapter also deals with the
hydrological data and the time-series analysis of the observed discharge data for the eight
stations.
Chapter 4 focuses on the description of the different methodologies which are to be used for
the analysis of the EF.
Chapter 5 incorporate the results obtained from the present research work and also the
discussion related to the analysis.
Chapter 6 deals with the summary and conclusion achieved, the best management practices
so that EF is maintained for the entire MRB and with the references preferred.
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CHAPTER-02
LITERATURE REVIEW
In this present chapter, literature study has been done for a range of aspect of the present
work, including hydrological index methods, holistic methods and Detailed Desktop analysis
for the assessment of EF.
2.1 HYDROLOGICAL INDEX APPROACHES
Tenant method, considered as one of the oldest and ancestral method, classified under the
hydrological index methods, was applied on a typical river basin (Singh et al., 1974) to
determine the environmental flow.
(Brismar, 2002) has compared the desired and the undesired effects of the large dams
projects, in which the river services are used as the service providers and the environmental
flow is determined for both the upstream and the downstream part of the dam.
The emerging trends and the global perspective of the EF is studied and lucid description of
the different methods using which analysis of EF is possible, are clearly stated (Tharme,
2003).
Low flows are predicted at ungauged catchments, various low flow regionalisations have
been developed using multiple regression techniques in this report. (Pyrce, 2004) applied instream flow methods for the computation of the base flow. Basically, this report deals with
the Hydrological low flow indices and their uses.
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(Smakhtin et al., 2005) established the hydrological reference condition by reconstructing
the unregulated flow regime and assessment of the land-use changes and water-resources
development in the Walawe river basin for the previous 40 years. The environmentally
acceptable flow regime is quantified.
(Blake, 2006) modelled flow data (hydrology based) are used for the assessment of the EF of
the Nam Songkhram river basin, Thailand.
The report examines the emerging trends in environmental flow work in India and reviews
desktop methods of environmental flow assessment, developed and used for preliminary
planning purposes elsewhere. (Smakhtin et al., 2006) used the method, which is based on the
use of a flow duration curve – a cumulative distribution function of monthly flow time series
and the results are interpreted in both forms- FDC and monthly flow time series.
The PHD dissertation (Korsgaard, 2006) computed and framed a new approach, which is
used for determining Environmental flow in the Integrated water resources management
using the linking flows and the services values.
This study comprises synopsis of methods for flow evaluation, examples of realistic
applications and opting the accurate method. (Freitas, 2008). The anticipated outcomes are
understood, such as what is an environmental flow assessment, at what time to use and why,
recognize the dissimilarities amid the four classes of environmental flow evaluation
methodologies with benefits and drawbacks of each method by a genuine example
application and to opt the right system.
(Jha et al., 2008) had critically evaluated the applicability of existing approaches, provided
values of environmental design flows at different locations of Brahmani and Baitarani River
Page | 6
systems, India and had suggested a suitable scientific technique, which can be applied for the
assessment of EF.
This paper reviews the estimation methods developed and used in India for low-flow, longterm mean flow and flood characteristics. In this work (Jha et al., 2008), flood estimation
characteristics and long-term mean annual flow using regression relationships with catchment
parameters are computed.
To empathize and foretell the probable upshot of climatic alterations on the water resources
and stream flow, it is obligatory to recognize the nonlinearity and complications of the
relation between the climate and the land surface, and to judge the dependence of the scale on
which these relations are examined. Based on the Indian climate situation (Sharma et
al.,2008) potrays the total procedure for assessing low flows under various climatic
circumstances using low flow duration and low flow frequency in Brahmani River Basin of
India.
Dependable estimation of low-flows for rivers is crucial for the appropriate development and
design of water resources assignments and this paper investigates a variety of low-flow
measures/indices, their function and evaluation techniques presently in effect in Ireland and
somewhere else in the world. (Mandal et al., 2009) has developed an uncomplicated
regression basis simplified model for the flow-duration curves (FDC) for Irish rivers, which
can be used for forecasting FDC for several ungauged catchment from the recognized
catchment physiographic and climatological features.
A pragmatic approach is used (McCartney et al., 2013) here for quantifying the flow
regulating functions of floodplains, headwater wetlands and miombo forests in the basin. The
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method exploits the monitored streamflow records and flow duration curves to develop a
simulated time series of flow in the dearth of the ecosystem. This is then compared with an
observed time series to assess the impact of the ecosystem on the flow regime.
2.2 HOLISTIC APPROACHES
In South Africa, for determining the Instream flow of a regulated river basin, (King et al.,
2000) applied BBM method on the river basin, which included both the hydrological and also
the hydraulics part of the river system. The ecology of the river basin is also taken into
account such as the aquatic life and marine ecosystems, a sophisticated and well refined
method developed in a workshop.
Holistic methodologies which included the hydrological data, hydraulics data of the river,
biological data for marine life, geomorphologic characteristics (sediment transport) and water
quality parameters were taken (Arthington et al., 2004) for the study of a South African
river.
An impact of the suspended sediments loadings on the EF of the Mara river, Kenya is
analysed. (Kiragu et al., 2007) had used the geomorphologic characteristics of the river basin
and the flow is observed such that the sediments are hindering the flow, making the water
quality highly turbid.
The BBM is fundamentally an elaborative tactic designed to erect a flow regime for
upholding a river in a prefixed condition (King et al., 2008). The BBM has adjunctly
provided the thrust for the fruition of numerous alternative holistic environmental flow
methodologies, significantly the Downstream Response to Imposed Flow Transformations
(DRIFT) methodology. The DRIFT methodology is a network and situation-based approach
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designed for applying in cooperating, and including a stout socioeconomic factor, weighy
when computing subsistence use of river supplies by riparian peoples.
The explicit intention of this testimony are comprehending environmental flows both by
water resources practitioners and by environmental connoisseur. (Hirji et al., 2009) had
portrayed lessons from experience in executing environmental flows by the bank and develop
a rational framework to sustain more effectual amalgamation of environmental flow.
2.3 DETAILED DEKSTOP ANALYSIS
This contemporary study carried out by (Kumara et al., 2010) by using equally desktop
analysis and field examination dealing with two modules for the assessment of the
environmental flows in Bhadra River, Karnataka, India. The two elements are Biophysical
evaluation and Socio-economic review. Biophysical assessment furnishes the physical
eminence of the river flow over a phase. The intention of Socio-economic assessment is to
forecast how the inhabitants have been distressed by the stipulated river transformation.
(Jha, 2010) had applied different methods to match which serves the best purpose for
maintaining the ecological balance of a typical river basin of India. Distinctive methods such
as RVA, FDC, sediment yield, aquatic life etc. are considered, and the volume of water
required to maintain EF for the five gauged stations are computed.
In this study, (Shiau et al., 2004) estimated the prediversion flows and ascertained the
riverine management in terms targets in terms of 32 hydrological parameters known as the
IHA (Indicators of hydrological alterations). This study targets to make the postdiversion
flows attain the intended ranges at the similar frequency as that which in the prediversion
flow regime.
Page | 9
CHAPTER-03
THE STUDY AREA
AND THE ESTIMATION SITES
To begin analysis for the computation of EF for any river basin, the pre-requisite are the
discharge/flow data of that particular river/stream. Depending upon the full availability of the
data, the number of sites can be determined. River Mahanadi of India has been opt for the
study and the details of the study area are depicted hereinafter. This chapter begins with the
narration of the study area chased by the selection of the sites, based on the available data.
3.1 PRIMARY DELINEATION OF THE MAHANADI RIVER BASIN
Mahanadi is a major river in central eastern India. The Mahanadi basin lies within
geographical co-ordinates of 80030' to 86050' East longitudes and 19020' to 23035' North
latitudes. The drainage area of the basin is of around 141,600 km2and has a total course of
858 km. The river flows through the states of Chattisgarh and Orissa. Its
farthest headwaters lie 6 km from Pharsiya village 442 m above sea level south
of Nagiri town in Dhamtari district of Chattisgarh. The hills here are an extension of
the Eastern ghats. Mahanadi river basin has a total of 6 dams- Dudhawa, Gangrel, Murrum
silli, Hasdeo Bango, Tandula, Sondur reservoir, Sikasar dams- located in Chattisgarh,
Hirakud dam (largest dam on Mahanadi river basin)- located in Orissa.
Hirakud dam was constructed in 1957 across Mahanadi near Sambalpur. It drains a total area
of 83,400 km2. It is accounted as the largest earthen dam in the globe measuring 24 km
including dykes; having reservoirs stretched over 743 km2 and live storage capacity of 5.37 x
109 cum. The downstream floods are moderated by the reservoir.
Page | 10
The soil types of the basin are red and yellow soils, laterite soils. The region of northern part
as well as the Mahanadi and Tel sub-basin contains red soil which is obtained from Central
Land Table. The river and Tel sub-basin are the largely thickly inhabited and agriculturally
well-heeled part of the area with condensed settlements. The precipitation received by the
basin is around 800 to over 1600 mm falls in the period from July to while during January to
February, less than 50 mm precipitation is received. The annual rainfall of the Mahanadi
catchment is about 141.7 cm.
EF3
EF5
EF6
EF2
EF4
EF1
EF7
EF8
Fig 3.1: Location of Gauging sites in MRB
The geographical position of the catchment with respect to Bay of Bengal, where from most
of the weather co-ordination start off influencing the meteorological and climatology of the
catchment. The south-west monsoon plays a vital part by contributing 91% of annual rainfall
Page | 11
during June to October. December is recognized as the driest month as it is contributing less
than 10% of annual rainfall.
3.2 ESTIMATION OF THE SITES
The entire MRB have a total of 18 gauging stations of CWC, fourteen are located in
Chattisgarh & four are in Orissa. After thoroughly scrutinizing the flow data, eight stations
are selected for the analysis (Figure 3.1), covering the entire basin area, with seven stations
having data for the 38 years (1978-2009) and one station data ranging from (1986-2009). The
features of the sites along with the name, location, characteristics etc. are listed in the Table 1
below:
Station ID
EF site name
River
Location
EF1
Rajim
EF2
Andhiyarkore
(Sondur + Pari +
Mahanadi)
Seonath
EF3
Jondhra
Mahanadi
EF4
Seorinarayan
Mahanadi
EF5
Kurubhata
Mahanadi
EF6
Sundargarh
IB
EF7
Kantamal
Tel
EF8
Tikarapara
Mahanadi
20057’N
81052’E
21°90’N
81°50’E
21043’N
82020’E
21°44'N
82°35'E
22000’N
83055’E
22°07′N
84°02′E
20065’N
83074’E
20°58’N
84°08’E
Average Annual
Precipitation
(cm)
96.44
Low discharge
(cumec)
80.29
0.11
95.06
0.43
99.49
0.6
100.33
0.09
111.01
0.37
162.3
0.79
114.03
185
0.02
Table I: Description of selected gauging sites in MRB.
3.3 DATA COLLECTION AND TIME SERIES
The essential data required for design flow in MRB are virgin or naturalized historical flow
records over the entire observed or simulated period of record. The natural flow variability is
best described by daily discharge time series. After preliminary scrutiny based on data
independency, data sufficiency and reliability, it was found that of only eight gauging sites
Page | 12
could be used in the study. The locations and characterises of these selected EFs sites are
summarized in Table I and shown in Figure 1. The mean flow for the period of record is
calculated for the individual seven stations (1978-2010) expect seorinarayan (1986-2010) and
Jondhra (1980-2010), hence we get the variation of mean daily discharges at the stations EF1,
EF2, EF3, EF4, EF5, EF6, EF7 and EF8, which are shown below in the fig 2(a-h).
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Mean flow for period of record= 86.36 cumec
01-01-1978
18-01-1979
04-02-1980
20-02-1981
09-03-1982
26-03-1983
11-04-1984
28-04-1985
15-05-1986
01-06-1987
17-06-1988
04-07-1989
21-07-1990
07-08-1991
23-08-1992
09-09-1993
26-09-1994
13-10-1995
29-10-1996
15-11-1997
02-12-1998
19-12-1999
04-01-2001
21-01-2002
07-02-2003
24-02-2004
12-03-2005
29-03-2006
15-04-2007
01-05-2008
18-05-2009
discharge (cumec)
Variation of Mean daily discharge at Rajim (1978-2009)
Figure 3.2 (a) Mean daily Flow at station EF1
Variation of Mean Daily discharge at Andhiyarkore (1978-2009)
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
1-1-1978
12-26-1978
12-20-1979
12-13-1980
12-7-1981
12-1-1982
11-25-1983
11-18-1984
11-12-1985
11-6-1986
10-31-1987
10-24-1988
10-18-1989
10-12-1990
10-6-1991
9-29-1992
9-23-1993
9-17-1994
9-11-1995
9-4-1996
8-29-1997
8-23-1998
8-17-1999
8-10-2000
8-4-2001
7-29-2002
7-23-2003
7-16-2004
7-10-2005
7-4-2006
6-28-2007
6-21-2008
6-15-2009
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Mean flow for period of record= 10.518 cumec
Figure 3.2 (b) Mean daily Flow at station EF2
Page | 13
2500
01-01-1978
06-01-1979
11-01-1980
15-01-1981
20-01-1982
25-01-1983
30-01-1984
03-02-1985
08-02-1986
13-02-1987
18-02-1988
22-02-1989
27-02-1990
04-03-1991
08-03-1992
13-03-1993
18-03-1994
23-03-1995
27-03-1996
01-04-1997
06-04-1998
11-04-1999
15-04-2000
20-04-2001
25-04-2002
30-04-2003
04-05-2004
09-05-2005
14-05-2006
19-05-2007
23-05-2008
28-05-2009
Discharge (cumec)
01-12-2009
01-12-2008
01-12-2007
01-12-2006
01-12-2005
01-12-2004
01-12-2003
01-12-2002
01-12-2001
01-12-2000
01-12-1999
01-12-1998
01-12-1997
01-12-1996
01-12-1995
01-12-1994
01-12-1993
01-12-1992
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
12000
01-12-1991
01-12-1990
25000
01-12-1989
01-12-1988
01-12-1987
01-01-…
05-01-…
10-01-…
14-01-…
19-01-…
24-01-…
29-01-…
02-02-…
07-02-…
12-02-…
17-02-…
21-02-…
26-02-…
03-03-…
07-03-…
12-03-…
17-03-…
22-03-…
26-03-…
31-03-…
05-04-…
10-04-…
14-04-…
19-04-…
24-04-…
29-04-…
03-05-…
08-05-…
13-05-…
18-05-…
22-05-…
27-05-…
0
01-12-1986
01-12-1985
Discharge (Cumec)
Variation of Mean daily discharge at Jondhra (1978-2009)
Mean flow for period of record= 257.8 cumeccumec
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
Figure 3.2 (c) Mean daily Flow at station EF3
Variation of Mean Daily Discharge at Seorinarayan (1985-2009)
Mean flow for period of record= 495.01 cumec
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
Figure 3.2 (d) Mean daily Flow at station EF4
Variation of Mean daily discharge at Kurubhata (1978-2009)
Mean flow for period of record= 72.96 cumec
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Figure 3.2 (e) Mean daily Flow at station EF5
Page | 14
01-01-1978
18-01-1979
04-02-1980
20-02-1981
09-03-1982
26-03-1983
11-04-1984
28-04-1985
15-05-1986
01-06-1987
17-06-1988
04-07-1989
21-07-1990
07-08-1991
23-08-1992
09-09-1993
26-09-1994
13-10-1995
29-10-1996
15-11-1997
02-12-1998
19-12-1999
04-01-2001
21-01-2002
07-02-2003
24-02-2004
12-03-2005
29-03-2006
15-04-2007
01-05-2008
18-05-2009
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
01-01-1978
18-01-1979
04-02-1980
20-02-1981
09-03-1982
26-03-1983
11-04-1984
28-04-1985
15-05-1986
01-06-1987
17-06-1988
04-07-1989
21-07-1990
07-08-1991
23-08-1992
09-09-1993
26-09-1994
13-10-1995
29-10-1996
15-11-1997
02-12-1998
19-12-1999
04-01-2001
21-01-2002
07-02-2003
24-02-2004
12-03-2005
29-03-2006
15-04-2007
01-05-2008
18-05-2009
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
12000
25000
0
40000
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
01-01-…
18-01-…
04-02-…
20-02-…
09-03-…
26-03-…
11-04-…
28-04-…
15-05-…
01-06-…
17-06-…
04-07-…
21-07-…
07-08-…
23-08-…
09-09-…
26-09-…
13-10-…
29-10-…
15-11-…
02-12-…
19-12-…
04-01-…
21-01-…
07-02-…
24-02-…
12-03-…
29-03-…
15-04-…
01-05-…
18-05-…
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Variation of Mean Daily Discharge at Sundargarh (1978-2009)
Mean flow for period of record= 100.7534 cumec
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Figure 3.2 (f) Mean daily Flow at station EF6
Variation of Mean daily discharge at Kantamal (1978-2009)
Mean flow for period of record= 338.9 cumec
20000
15000
10000
5000
Figure 3.2 (g) Mean daily Flow at station EF7
Variation of Mean Daily Discharge at Tikarpara (1978-2009)
Mean flow for period of record= 1505.134 cumec
Figure 3.2 (h) Mean daily Flow at station EF8
Figure 3.2: Average Daily discharge for the Gauged sites for the period of record
Page | 15
The mean flow for the period of record for the total eight stations are shown in the above
figure 2 (a-h). Considering fig. 2b, station EF2 is having the lowest mean discharge for the
respective 38 years. If we see the table I, the respective station also receives the lowest
average annual rainfall. Fig 2h shows the highest mean flow, since it’s the downstream
station of the Hirakud dam, having regulated flow. Station EF7 (Kantamal) have a high
average annual precipitation contributing a part to its high mean discharge. Mean is
calculated from the times series and standard deviation for each station is established by this
relation.
; where,
= standard deviation;
= mean of flow
xi = daily flow; N= Number of days.
The mean, standard deviation and co-efficient of variance are established by the relation and
the calculated values for the eight stations are enlisted in table II.
STATION ID
MEAN
COEFF. OF VARIANCE
STANDARD DEVIATION
EF1
86.36
4.38
378.26
EF2
10.36
3.06
31.7
EF3
257.8
2.63
678.02
EF4
495
2.73
1351.35
EF5
72.96
2.29
167.08
EF6
99.41
2.69
267.42
EF7
338.9
2.98
1009.92
EF8
1457
2.13
3103.4
Table II: Mean, coefficient of variance and standard deviation for the eight stations
Page | 16
CHAPTER-04
METHODOLOGY
For the computation of EF of MRB, flow data of the sites are coordinated for the consecutive
time periods. Several approaches are being harnessed and are stated in this chapter which are
going to be applied in the present study.
4.1 TENNANT METHOD
This method was developed in 1976 and is the most common hydrological method applied
worldwide and has been used by at least 25 countries in either the original form or the
modified form (Tharme 2006). WQAA working group of India suggested it too. This method
uses a percentage of mean annual flow (MAF) for two different six months periods to define
the condition of the flow. Its main disadvantage is that the Mean Annual Runoff selected is
just showing the flow of run-off in annual basis, but the variations of the flow aren’t shown
that are occurring throughout the year. The description of general condition of flow is given
in the following table III.
DESDRIPTION OF
GENERAL CONDITION
OF FLOW
Flushing or Maximum
RECOMENDED FLOW
REGIMES (% MAF)
OCTOBER-MARCH
200%
RECOMENDED FLOW
REGIMES (% MAF)
APRIL-SEPTEMBER
200%
Optimum Range
60-100%
60-100%
Outstanding
40%
60%
Excellent
30%
50%
Good
20%
40%
Fair or Degrading
10%
30%
Poor or minimum
10%
10%
Severe Degradation
<10%
<10%
Source: Journal of Hydrological and Development, Ramakar Jha (Vol. 25, 2010)
Table III: Illustration of Montana (Tennant) method
Page | 17
4.2 RANGE OF VARIABILITY ANALYSIS
RVA developed by Ritcher at al. (1996,97), is aimed at providing a comprehensive statistical
characterization of ecologically relevant features of the flow regime, recognizing the crucial
role of hydrological variability in sustaining riverine ecosystems. It uses the hydrological
Indices, termed IHA (Indicators of Hydrological Alterations). IHA consists of a total of 67
statistical parameters grouped in IHA-33 & EFC (Environmental Flow Components)-34
parameters. The IHA statistics are mainly grouped into five categories (magnitude, timing,
frequency, duration & rate of change) & EFC are also grouped into five categories (low
flows, extreme low flows, high flow pulses, small floods & large floods).
4.3 FLOW INDICES AND FLOW DURATION CURVE ANALYSIS
Flow duration curve known as FDC is a plot showing the percentage of time that flow in a
stream is likely to equal or exceed some specified value of interest in abscissa and discharge
in ordinate. The discharge may be daily, monthly, annual or entire period of record depending
on our interest. In FDC flow records are analyzed over specified durations to produce flow
duration curves which display the relationship between range of discharges and percentage of
time that each of them is equalled or exceeded. FDC is a recipe for the sustainable
management of water resources. The applications of FDC are diversified and are used for
multipurpose programs: water resources management, public water supply, agriculture, fish
farming, water quality, hydro-power and conventional power, navigation and ecosystem
protection.
A flow duration curve is one of the most edifying method of demonstrating the entire range
of river discharges, from low flows to flood events (Smakhtin, 2001). Its specified that the
“design” low flow range of a flow duration curve is the 70%-99% range, or the Q70 to Q99
range (Smakhtin et al., 2001). Q17, Q40, Q75, Q80, Q84, Q90, Q95, Q96, Q97, Q98 and Q99
Page | 18
are known as flow duration indices among which Q90 and Q95 are known as low flow
indices. The percentile used as a flow index depends very much upon the type of river being
studied. For perennial rivers, Q95 and Q90 are generally used. For semi-arid or polar regions,
a larger percentage of zero values are often found in the recorded flow series.
4.3.1 7Q10: 7Q10 flow means 7 days average flow per 10 years period. 7Q10 flow is one
of the most widely used (design or reference) instream flow methods and are used for
regulation purposes ranging from

To protect water quality protection from waste water discharges or waste water
apportion and to prevent hostile biological influence on the receiving water.

Stream design flow used to resolve waste load allocations to uphold the water quality.

It also acts a general indicator of prevalent drought conditions, which generally
envelop bulky areas.

Determines the minimum stream flow necessary for the Habitat protection during
drought condition and also serves as the chronic criteria for the aquatic life.

It’s also used to compare the influence of the climate change and irrigation on low
surface stream flows and also used as a local extinction flow.
However, the original use of 7Q10 is to normalize stream water quality from pollution.
4.3.2 7Q5: 7Q5 flow means 7days average flow per 5 years period. 7Q5 flow is generally
referred as the critical low flow for low quality fishery waters (a stream catalogued for the
beneficial use of warm water semi-permanent fish life propagation or warm water marginal
fish life propagation).
Page | 19
4.3.3 7Q2: 7Q2 flow means 7 days average flow per 2 years period. 7Q2 flow is also
usually referred as the most widely used designed low flow indices. It’s used for the
following purpose ranging from:

Habitat maintenance flow and its sets a criteria for developing licence for waste load
allocations.

Some uses it as a specific design for Storm water holding facilities and also uses it as
an In-stream Flow.
4.3.4 7Q20: 7Q20 is defined as the 7days average flow per 20 years period. 7Q20 is
basically used as a system extinction flow, which causes noteworthy stress on the system. Its
also used as an indicator of the minimum flow needed and serves as a limiting condition for
sewage treatment and waste water disposal for a receiving water body. It plays a very crucial
role in analysing summer design low flow for effluent wastewater discharge and drought flow
periods and volumes. The 7Q20 is essentially a conservative approach to ensure that adequate
stream-flow is accessible to assimilate/dilute point source discharges (Stainton, 2004).
4.3.5 7Q50: 7Q50 is describes as the 7days average flow per 50 years period. The range of
flow which it gives is high compared to the other FDC’s and hence it’s used for flushing out
the sediments and pollutants which can pose a severe threat to the ecological balance of the
river system.
4.3.6 Q95: These are used as the low flow duration indices and are defined as the flow
exceeded for 95% of the time. These are generally used for the following:

Minimum flow to shield the ecosystem of the river.

Minimum monthly specification for point discharges.
Page | 20

Specifically used as the biological catalogue for the mean monthly flow.

Used to sustain the natural monthly deviation and to regulate the EF rules.
4.3.7 Q90: These are defined as the flow exceeded for the 90% of the time and are also
used as the commonly used low flow indices. They are generally used for the following
purposes:

Monthly value imparts unwavering and mean flow stipulations.

Monthly value allots minimum flow for the aquatic environment.

Used to scrutinize discharge-duration patterns of the small streams.

Threshold for advising water managers for crucial stream flow levels.
The procedure followed to obtain the FDC of various return periods are as follows (Sugiyama
et al., 2003):
1. 7 day mean of each year calculated. The discharges of each year are arranged in the
descending order and then ranked.
2. Calculate the plotting position with the following Weibull plotting formula, select the type
probability paper to be used, and plot the data on the probability paper:
where P is the probability of all events less than or equal to a given discharge value, m is the
rank of the event, and n is the number of events in the record.
3. FDC is obtained by plotting probability of exceedance in abscissa and discharge in
ordinate.
4. Take the 95 percentile value from the FDC, rank in the ascending order and find the
probability. Then plot the graph and obtain the best fit line. Similarly plot Q90, Q85....Q5.
Page | 21
5. Take 10 years simultaneous values for each plot from Q95, Q90, Q85..............Q10,Q5 for
the difference of 5% probability. Plot 7Q10. Similarly plot 7Q2, 7Q5, 7Q20 and 7Q50.
4.4 EMC AND FDC SHIFT
EF are required to maintain the required amount of flow, hence its required to maintain an
ecosystem which is classified into various classes/ segments , such that the various condition
of the river can be described and analysed, hence can be upgraded to a better state, such that
the required EF is maintained (Smakhtin & Anputhas, 2006). These division of the
classes/segments are defined as the Environmental Management Class (for example Class A,
Class B etc), illustrated in the table IV.
EMC
A: Natural
B: Slightly
Modified
C:
Moderately
Modified
D: Largely
Modified
Ecological description
Management
Perspective
Pristine condition or
Protected rivers and
minor modification of
basins. Reserves and
in-stream and riparian
national parks. No new
habitat
water projects (dams,
diversions, etc.)
allowed
Largely intact
Water supply schemes
biodiversity and habitats or irrigation
despite water resources development present
development and/or
and/or allowed
basin modifications
The habitats and
dynamics of the biota
have been disturbed, but
basic ecosystem
functions are still intact.
Some sensitive species
are lost and/or reduced
in extent. Alien species
present
Large changes in natural
habitat, biota and basic
ecosystem functions
have occurred. A clearly
lower than expected
species richness. Much
lowered presence of
intolerant species. Alien
Default FDC Shift
limits
Lateral shift of a
reference FDC one
percentage point to the
left along the time axis
from the original FDC
position.
Lateral shift of a
reference FDC one
percentage point to the
left along the time axis
from the position of the
FDC for A Class.
Multiple disturbances
Lateral shift of a
associated with the
reference FDC one
need for sociopercentage point to the
economic development, left along the time axis
e.g., dams, diversions,
from the position of the
habitat modification
FDC for B Class
and reduced water
quality
Significant and clearly
visible disturbances
associated with basin
and water resources
development, including
dams, diversions,
transfers, habitat
modification and water
Lateral shift of a
reference FDC one
percentage point to the
left along the time axis
from the position of the
FDC for C Class
Page | 22
E: Seriously
Modified
F: critically
Modified
species prevail.
Habitat diversity and
availability have
declined. A strikingly
lower than expected
species richness. Only
tolerant species remain.
Indigenous species can
no longer breed. Alien
species have invaded
the ecosystem.
Modifications have
reached a critical level
and ecosystem has been
completely modified
with almost total loss of
natural habitat and
biota.
quality degradation
High human population
density and extensive
water resources
exploitation
This status is not
acceptable from the
management
perspective.
Management
interventions are
necessary to restore
flow pattern.
Lateral shift of a
reference FDC one
percentage point to the
left along the time axis
from the position of the
FDC for D Class
Lateral shift of a
reference FDC one
percentage point to the
left along the time axis
from the position of the
FDC for E Class
Source: Research Report 107, V. Smakhtin and M.Anputhas (2006)
Table IV: Environmental Management Classes (EMC) and default limits for FDC shift.
4.5 SPATIAL INTERPOLATION METHOD
The core principle in this technique is that flows happening concurrently at sites in rationally
close proximity to each other correspond to analogous percentage points on their respective
FDCs. The site at which the stream flow series is generated is known as the destination sites
and the site where the time series is available, is referred as the source sites. In this
framework, the intended (destination) FDC is the one representing the EF series to be
generated, for the destination site, while having the source FDC and time series for the
reference flow regime. For computing monthly discharge, the procedure deals with the
following steps: a) spot out the percentage point position of the source site’s flow b) reads the
monthly flow value for the corresponding percentage point from the intended FDC and c)
generate the time series plot of the destination site. This method is very useful, if we are
having the standardized FDC curve for some particular site and wants to generate EF for that
site.
Page | 23
CHAPTER-05
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In this present chapter, the flow data of the MRB are to be analysed using various state-of-the
art approaches. The approach which would suggest minimum flow besides serving all the
other purposes that would be considered as the role model of this dissertation.
5.1 TENNANT METHOD (APPROACH 1)
Using the Tennant (or Montana) method (1976), percentage of the MAF (mean annual flow)
for two different six months periods were computed to define conditions of flow, regarding
“Insream Flow regimes for fish, wildlife, recreation and related environmental resources” are
shown in Table V. This table is useful for the water resources managers and planners for
allocating water for Flushing out the sediments deposits to maintain the Morphology of the
river system and to keep it in good health. The lower values for the four stations (considering
both upstream and downstream) indicates the poor/ severe degradation of the health, water
quality and ecology of the river system. Flushing, optimum range and outstanding flows as
prescribed by Tennant is useful for flushing out the pollutants and sediments, which pollutes
the river system and due to the sediment deposition, the flow might be hindered which would
lead to the disturbance of the ecological balance of the basin. Excellent and good flows are
considered as the flows which would keep the ecosystem function normally and very little
modification is required. Minimum (poor) flow is referred as the lowest class below which
there would be severe degradation of the basin, hampering the total ecosystem.
Page | 24
Narrative
condition of
general
condition of flow
(%)
% of MAF in cumec for NON-MONSOON.
% of MAF in cumec for MONSOON
EF1
EF2
EF3
EF4
EF5
EF6
EF7
EF8
EF1
EF2
EF3
EF4
EF5
EF6
EF7
EF8
Flushing or
maximum (200%)
172.72
20.72
515.6
990.2
145.9
198.8
677.8
2914
172.72
20.72
515.6
990.2
145.9
198.8
677.8
2914
Optimum range
(60-100%)
51.8
86.36
34.5
6.22
10.36
4.14
154.7
257.8
103.12
297.1
495.1
198.04
43.78
72.96
29.2
59.65
99.41
39.8
203.4
338.9
135.6
874.2
1457
582.8
51.8
86.36
51.8
6.22
10.36
6.22
154.7
257.8
154.7
297.1
495.1
297.1
43.78
72.96
43.78
59.65
99.41
59.65
203.4
338.9
203.4
874.2
1457
874.2
Excellent
(30/50%)
25.91
3.11
77.34
148.5
21.89
29.8
101.7
437.1
43.2
5.18
128.9
247.6
36.5
49.7
169.5
728.5
Good (20/40%)
17.3
2.1
51.6
99.02
14.6
19.9
67.78
291.4
34.5
4.14
103.12
198.04
29.2
39.8
135.6
582.8
Fair or degrading
(10/30%)
8.63
1.03
25.7
49.5
7.3
9.94
33.89
145.7
25.91
3.11
77.34
148.5
21.89
29.8
101.7
437.1
Poor or minimum
(10%)
8.63
1.03
25.7
49.5
7.3
9.94
33.89
145.7
8.63
1.03
25.7
49.5
7.3
9.94
33.89
145.7
Severe
degradation <10%
<8.63
<1.03
<25.7
<49.5
<7.3
<9.94
<33.
89
<145.7
<8.63
<1.03
<25.7
<49.5
<7.3
<9.94
<33.89
<145.7
Outstanding
(40/60%)
Table V: Results of Tennant method in MRB
In this work, focus is mainly emphasised on the low and the optimum flow required. Table V provides a chart for the eight stations classifying the
flow into various categories. Good flow isn’t practically applicable all the time. Fair flow need to be maintained, if not possible then minimum flow
(10%) should be positively maintained for the total catchment in order to sustain the ecological conditions.
Page | 25
5.2 RANGE OF VARIABILITY ANALYSIS (APPROACH 2)
Range of Variability analysis (RVA) is a detailed desktop analytical approach. The variation
of the flow is analysed for different seasons over a series of years. In this work, we will be
dealing with the variation of the minimum flow and the extreme low flow. IHA (Indicators of
Hydrologic alterations) calculates for five different types of EFCs (Environmental Flow
Components)- low flows, extreme low flows, high flow pulses, small floods & large floods.
During Drought periods, rivers drop down to very low levels that can be stressful for aquatic
and riparian ecosystems. Here, extreme low flow is taken as the 10% of the total flow for a
year, which is refereed as the standard index. Extreme low flow can be varied to 15-20% of
the total flow, depending upon the condition of the basin on which it is applied. EF8 is
ignored since it’s the regulated flow (downstream side of the Hirakud dam. The results
obtained for extremely low flow peaks, duration, frequency, zero flow, comparison of 1-day,
3-day, 7-day, 30-day and 90-days minimum flow are given below
EXTREME LOW FLOW PEAKS FOR 7 STATIONS
2.5
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
EF1
EF2
2
EF3
1.5
EF4
EF5
1
EF6
EF7
0.5
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
0
CALENDAR YEAR
Figure 5.1: Comparison of Extreme Low flow Peaks
Fig. 5.1 shows that the peak of the extreme low flow of EF7 is high up to the year 1997 and
after that it subsequently decreases. EF6 can be seen the second highest to be after EF7. The
rest of the stations seem to be near to zero except EF3 and EF5.
Page | 26
EF1
EF2
EF3
EF4
EF5
EF7
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
EF6
1978
Days
EXTREME LOW FLOW DURATION FOR 7 STATIONS
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
calender year
Figure 5.2: Comparison of Extreme Low flow Durations
EF1 and EF3 show the highest duration of extreme low flow followed by EF2. Duration of
EF5 had increased consecutively after 1996 and simultaneously EF7 had zero extreme low
flow after 1999. 2010 being a drought year, EF1 and EF3 shows a sharp increase.
EXTREME LOW FLOW FREQUENCY FOR 7 STATIONS
12
FREQUENCY
10
EF1
8
EF2
6
EF3
EF4
4
EF5
2
EF6
0
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
EF7
CALENDAR YEAR
Figure 5.3: Comparison of Extreme Low flow Frequency
EF6 exhibits the highest low flow frequency than the other stations. EF2 extreme low flow
frequency has sharply increased in 2010 as a result of the drought, hitting Orissa. EF7 has the
least frequency after year 1998, owning to the construction of the dam. In the year 2000-01,
EF4, EF2 and EF3 were also affected by the drought, where EF1, EF5 and EF7 were
unaffected.
Page | 27
NUMBER OF ZERO FLOW DAYS FOR THE 8 STATIONS
250
EF1
DAYS
200
EF2
EF3
150
EF4
100
EF5
EF6
50
EF7
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
0
EF8
CALENDAR YEAR
Figure 5.4: Comparison of the number of zero flow days
EF4 had a steep declination and from 1990 it had no zero days flow, owing to the opening of
the Bango dam. EF5, EF6 & EF7 is showing a series of undulations over the record of years
while EF8 has zero number of zero days flow (downstream of Hirakud dam and is completely
regulated). 2010 indexed as the drought year, stations EF1, EF2 and EF3 shows the
maximum number of zero days flow which shows that flow is stagnant for more than half of
the year and also having minimal precipitation throughout the year.
7-day minimum flow is defined as the 7-days moving average of the minimum flow for a
particular site. Similarly, 1-day, 3-day and 30-days minimum flow are defined as the 1-day,
3-days and 30-days moving average of the minimum flows. 1-day minimum flow is generally
not considered as the water from the various parts of the catchment (time of concentration) to
reach that particular site might be more than one day, so 3-days and 7-days are considered as
the standardized index for analyzing the minimum flow.
Page | 28
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF1
Discharge (cumec)
2.5
2
1-day min
1.5
3-day min
7-day min
1
30-day min
0.5
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
0
Calendar Year
Figure 5.5: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF1
The station shows that the trend of the minimum flow in 1978 was approximately higher than
the rest of the years. 1987, 1992-93 and 2010 was a drought year having zero minimum flow
(extreme low flow).
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF2
Discharge (cumec)
1.2
1
1-day min
0.8
3-day min
0.6
7-day min
0.4
30-day min
0.2
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
0
Calendar year
Figure 5.6: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF2
EF2 shows that this station was not affected by the drought years 1983, 1987, 1992 2000
except 2008 and 2010. Minimum flow had gone down to zero discharge from 2003 to 2010
and the extreme low flow had taken its toll.
Page | 29
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF3
9
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
8
1-day min
7
3-day min
6
5
7-day min
4
3
30-day min
2
1
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
0
CALENDAR YEAR
Figure 5.7: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF3
The trend shows that from 2001, EF3 shows zero discharge. EF3 was affected in the drought
years 1992-93, 2001-02 and 2010. In future, the flow should be increased such that the site
shouldn’t be categorized as the extreme low flow.
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF4
12
1-day min
Discharge (cumec)
10
3-day min
8
6
7-day min
4
30-day min
2
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
Calendar Year
Figure 5.8: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF4
Fig.5.8 illustrates that the station EF4 suffered zero minimum flow during the year 2001-03
and also during 2010. In 1999-2000 the discharge was high with respect to other years, due to
the devastating cyclone hitting the basin.
Page | 30
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF5
Discharge (cumec)
3.5
3
1-day min
2.5
3-day min
2
7-day min
1.5
1
30-day min
0.5
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
0
Calendar year
Figure 5.9: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF5
Figure 5.9 depicts that EF5 has zero minimum flow for the consecutive years 2000-05, 1993,
1997 and 2007-08. The trend shows that the minimum flow has decreased consecutively,
with two or three years profiling a high peak some times.
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF6
12
Discharge (cumec)
10
1-day min
8
3-day min
6
7-day min
4
30-day min
2
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
1978
0
Calendar year
Figure 5.10: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF6
The trend of the graph (fig. 5.10) portraying EF6 shows that the tendency is almost same,
there is no major variation of the flow except the year 1999(flood). 1987, 1992 and 2010
were the drought years, classifying EF6 having extreme low flow for the particular years.
Page | 31
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF7
90
1-day min
80
3-day min
Discharge (Cumec)
70
60
7-day min
50
30-day min
40
30
20
10
0
Calendar Year
Figure 5.11: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF7
Station EF7 shows that after the year 1998, the amount of minimum flow increases. Past
records says that in the year 1998, there was an opening of the dam (irrigation and generating
1/3/7/30- DAYS MINIMUM FLOW FOR STATION EF8
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
1-day min
3-day min
7-day min
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
30-day min
1978
Discharge (cumec)
hydro-power), making the flow of EF7 regulated, thereby abolishing extreme low flow.
Calendar Year
Figure 5.12: Comparison of the 1/3/7/30-days minimum flow for EF8
EF8 is the downstream station of the Hirakud dam, hence it’s completely a regulated flow.
Table II indicates that its mean discharge is very high and so the minimum flow. It shows a
downfall in the drought years 1983, 1989 and 2010.
Page | 32
EF1
EF2
EF3
EF4
EF5
2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
1988
1986
1984
1982
1980
EF6
1978
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
COMPARISION OF 7-DAY MINIMUM FLOW FOR 7 STATIONS (UPSTREAM)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
EF7
CALENDAR YEAR
Figure 5.13: Comparison of the 7-day minimum flow for 7 Stations
Considering figure 5.13, 7-day minimum flow is taken as the most ideal record for the
minimal flow analysis. EF7 is showing the highest variation, whereas all the other stations
except EF4 and to some extent EF3 are more or less same and tends to be zero. If we consider
the early part of the record for EF7, it shows that the flow tends to be zero, but it shows a
sharp increase after the year 1999. The daily flow discharge (m3/s) required for the eight
stations are obtained and quoted in table VI below:
STATION ID
EF1
EXTREME
LOW FLOW
(cumec)
0.03
1-DAY
MINIMUM
(cumec)
0.09
3-DAYS
MINIMUM
(cumec)
0.11
7-DAYS
MINIMUM
(cumec)
0.12
30-DAYS
MINIMUM
(cumec)
0.41
EF2
0.12
0.19
0.21
0.23
0.31
EF3
0.43
1.39
1.47
1.56
2.15
EF4
0.07
1.93
2.08
2.25
3.3
EF5
0.1
0.44
0.47
0.52
0.71
EF6
0.37
0.33
0.36
0.41
0.86
EF7
0.79
7.92
9.04
10.36
14.48
EF8
174.56
182.17
190.77
200.08
227.62
Table VI: Computation of RVA method in MRB
Page | 33
Table VI illustrates the daily flow discharge (m3/s) for the eight stations, stating the extreme
low flow, 1-day, 3-days, 7-days and 30-days minimum flow. EF8 is regulated hence much
stress isn’t given. Table V states the values for the eight stations using the Tenant method and
the values computed using the tenant method is very high which is practically impossible to
maintain throughout the season. RVA satisfies the criteria for maintaining EF with low
values which are practically feasible for most of the stations.
5.3 FDC AND FLOW DURATION INDICES (APPROACH 3)
The data of 24 years starting from 1978 to 2009 is used to determine the minimum flow. The
low flow duration indices Q95, Q90, Q85 and Q80 are plotted for all the required eight
stations and the regression equations are found out for the individual flow indices.
Comparison of all the 7 year average flow’s FDC for the return periods 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50
1.5
y = 0.0158x - 0.3294
R² = 0.8567
1
0.5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Q85 AT EF1
4
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Q95 AT EF1
3
y = 0.0257x - 0.3911
R² = 0.7747
2
1
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
2
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
years are done for all the required stations.
4
3
Q90 AT EF1
y = 0.0213x - 0.3393
R² = 0.7735
2
1
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
5
Q80 AT EF1
4
3
2
y = 0.0297x - 0.3162
R² = 0.7548
1
0
0
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Page | 34
FDC AT EF1
62.5
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
1.25
0.025
7Q10
0.0005
1E-05
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
FDC AT EF1
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
62.5
1.25
7Q2
7Q5
0.025
7Q10
7Q20
0.0005
7Q50
1E-05
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.14: Figures showing Q95, Q90, Q85, Q80, 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s-EF1
During the non-monsoon season, EF1 have tremendous low flow affecting the flora and fauna
of the region. If we consider the minimum flow from the graph, it is seen that the values for
the 95th and 90th percentile are 0.011 cumec and 0.041 cumec.
Page | 35
FDC AT EF2
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
10
1
0.1
7Q10
0.01
0.001
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
FDC AT EF2
100
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
10
1
7Q2
7Q5
0.1
7Q10
7Q20
0.01
7Q50
0.001
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.15: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF2
At the 43th percentile, 7Q2 and 7Q5 interchanges their position. From 5th- 43th percentile,
7Q5 was moving downward than 7Q2. It might be happening due to that 2-days cumulative
discharge is higher than the 5-days discharge. It might be the case that the precipitation is
higher for the two days time whereas for the average of the five days time, it might be
smaller. Hence giving to the high discharge for 7Q2.
Page | 36
FDC AT EF3
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
10
7Q10
1
0.1
0.01
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
FDC AT EF3
10000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
1000
100
7Q2
7Q5
10
7Q10
7Q20
1
7Q50
0.1
0.01
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.16: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF3
The above figure 5.16 shows that 7Q2 and 7Q5 are very much close to each other in the total
series. After 75th percentile all the FDC’s moves apart, 7Q2 and 7Q5 gives very small values
for the range 80th- 95th percentile.
Page | 37
FDC AT EF4
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
10
7Q10
1
0.1
0.01
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
FDC AT EF4
10000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
1000
100
7Q2
7Q5
10
7Q10
7Q20
1
7Q50
0.1
0.01
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
Figure 5.17: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF4
In the figure 5.17, 7Q2 and 7Q5 almost gives the same values, except for the 95th percentile
where it shoots down below.
Page | 38
FDC AT EF5
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
10
7Q10
1
0.1
0.01
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
FDC AT EF5
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
7Q2
10
7Q5
7Q10
1
7Q20
7Q50
0.1
0.01
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
Figure 5.18: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF5
Figure 5.18 shows that after 60th percentile, the FDC’s bifurcates from each other, thereby
showing there are variations for the low percentiles for all the graphs in the series. However
at the 95th percentile, 7Q20 and 7Q10 tends to give almost the same value.
Page | 39
FDC AT EF6
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
10
7Q10
1
0.1
0.01
0
20
40
60
80
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
FDC AT EF6
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
7Q2
10
7Q5
7Q10
7Q20
1
7Q50
0.1
0.01
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
Figure 5.19: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF6
Figure 5.19 shows that the 7Q2 shows a very low flow and very low flow values for every 5th
percentile compared to 7Q5. 7Q10 and 7Q5 doesn’t show much variation and almost gives
nearby values for some distinct points.
Page | 40
FDC AT EF7
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
7Q10
1
0.01
0
20
40
60
80
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
FDC AT EF7
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
10000
100
7Q2
7Q5
7Q10
7Q20
1
7Q50
0.01
0
20
40
60
80
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.20: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF7
7Q2 shows a large bifurcation from the 55th percentile and it goes downward as shown in the
figure 5.20. 7Q2 and 7Q5 were more or less giving values with little variations from 5th – 55th
percentile range.
Page | 41
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
FDC AT EF8
7Q10
40
0
5
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
COMPARISION OF FDC AT EF8
7Q10
7Q2
7Q5
7Q20
7Q50
40
0
5
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.21: Figures showing 7Q10 and comparison of FDC’s for EF8
From the above figures 5.14-5.21, it can be seen that the 7Q2 and 7Q5 FDC’s give very low
flows, which can’t sustain all the normal functions of the river basin. In some cases, like
figure-5.14 & 5.15, it can be seen that the both FDC’s 7Q2 and 7Q5 interchanges their
position, which isn’t possible theoretically. 7Q20 and 7Q50 gives reasonably high flows,
which is not possible for the water managers to maintain every time. Hence, 7Q10 emerges as
the best-fit curve among all of the FDC’s and further analysis is carried out with 7Q10.
Page | 42
5.4 EMC AND FDC SHIFT (APPROACH 4)
In this following approach, station with the largely wavering flow regimes and relatively
having the steeply sloping curves, have the lowest MAF in all the classes, whereas the
stations with more or less constant flow regimes and having gentle slopes, have the highest
MAF in all the classes.
A) EMC AT EF1
EMC AT EF1
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
25
FDC
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
CLASS D
CLASS E
CLASS F
0.5
0.01
0
20
40
60
80
100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.22: EMC at station EF1
B)
EMC AT EF2
EMC AT EF2
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
FDC
10
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
1
CLASS D
CLASS E
CLASS F
0.1
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.23: EMC at station EF2
Page | 43
C) EMC AT EF3
EMC AT EF3
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
1000
FDC
100
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
10
CLASS D
CLASS E
1
CLASS F
0.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
70
80
90
100
Figure 5.24: EMC at station EF3
D) EMC AT EF4
EMC AT EF4
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
1000
100
FDC
CLASS A
10
CLASS B
CLASS C
1
CLASS D
CLASS E
0.1
CLASS F
0.01
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
Figure 5.25: EMC at station EF4
E)
EMC AT EF5
EMC AT EF5
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
400
FDC
CLASS A
CLASS B
40
CLASS C
CLASS D
CLASS E
CLASS F
4
0.4
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
Figure 5.26: EMC at station EF5
Page | 44
F) EMC AT EF6
EMC AT EF6
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
280
FDC
28
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
CLASS D
2.8
CLASS E
CLASS F
0.28
0
20
40
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
80
100
Figure 5.27: EMC at station EF6
G) EMC AT EF7
EMC AT EF7
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
1000
FDC
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
CLASS D
CLASS E
CLASS F
10
0.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
70
80
90
100
Figure 5.28: EMC at station EF7
H) EMC AT EF8
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
EMC AT EF8
600
7Q10
CLASS A
CLASS B
CLASS C
CLASS D
CLASS E
CLASS F
60
0
5
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
Figure 5.29: EMC at station EF8
Page | 45
The various classification of the EMC are shown in the figure 5.22-5.29 for the various EF
stations. On characteristic feature of the estimated EF from the EMC is that the higher the
flow variability of a site of the basin, the more steep the slope of the FDC is and vice-versa.
The division (classes) of the FDC denotes that the part of variability of flow is lost. It
explains that the identical flow will be occurring less repeatedly. Class E and F define if the
system is largely or critically modified. If the present flow of the site is analysed, the site can
be immediately grouped in the particular environmental class comparing it with the natural
FDC. Figure 5.22 and 5.29 shows EF1 and EF8 have a steep slope and hence it shows high
flow variability. This EMC method helps us to analyse the flow during the drought season,
when the natural FDC can’t be applied. An example of the drought year 2008-09 is taken for
the station EF2 and compare with this method to observe that which FDC (EMC) generated
would serve the purpose.
100
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
7-DAY MINIMUM FDC AT EF2 (2008-09)
100
10
1
0.1
0.01
0
20
40
60
80
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
100
FDC (DROUGHT
YEAR) 2008-09
CLASS A
10
CLASS B
CLASS C
1
CLASS D
CLASS E
CLASS F
0.1
0
20
40
60
80
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
100
Figure 5.30: Fitting of Drought year FDC of station EF2 to fit the EMC
The above FDC of drought year 2008-09 shows that in the EMC graph, it technically fits in
the class D. At 25 percentile, FDC (2008-09) touches class D and then goes up touching class
A, but at 70th percentile it shoots down again fitting class D.
Page | 46
5.5 SPATIAL INTERPOLATION METHOD (APPROACH 5)
In this method, the drought years for the specific stations are analysed and verified with
regression technique. The RVA analysis computing the minimum flow clearly indicates the
drift in the flow subjecting to near about zero discharge in some cases is due to the drought
season. This method compares the flow values of a particular year with the mean of some
preceding years, to analyse if that year was a wet year or a drought year, to cross-check our
result and increase the efficiency of our analysis.
Another important characteristics of this method is its used to determine monthly time series
of a station (targeted) from a source station. The practice is to relocate the stream flow time
series from the position where the data sets are existing, to the targeted site
Destination site Time series
100
1000
10
100
10
1
0.1
1000
0
Months
Source Site Time series
20
40
60
80
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
100
SOURCE FDC AT EF3
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
1
Monthly Flow (cumec)
DESTINATION FDC AT EF4
1000
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Monthly Flow (cumec)
10000
100
100
10
10
1
0.1
1
0
Months
20
40
60
80
% TIME EXCEEDANCE
100
Figure 5.31: Illustration of spatial Interpolation procedure to generate a complete a
monthly time series for the destination site EF4
Page | 47
The above figure 5.31 generates the monthly time series for the destination site. For this
analysis, only EF3 and EF4 are found suitable for the advantageous location (Figure 3.1).
EF4 is the station downstream of EF3, hence it’s possible to generate a time series graph of
EF4. This method is suitable when the FDC is readily available for the destination station.
The different flow values of station EF3 are read and hereafter plotted and compared with the
FDC of EF3 (source site). The value of EF3 FDC is then matched with the FDC of EF4 and
hence the monthly time series for the targeted station is generated.
Anomalies are incorporated in this spatial interpolation method to analyse a particular year as
a wet year or a dry year. A scattered graph is plotted with the observed discharge versus the
mean discharge. 2002-03 was a dry year and the discharge values are taken for comparison
with the standard mean discharges of the 30 years. If the trend line tends to shift towards the
compared discharge (y-axis), then it’s a dry year, otherwise it’s a wet year.
Anomalies for EF3
Discharge for 2002-03 year (cumec)
Discharge for year 2002-03 (cumec)
Anomolies for EF2
100
10000
10
y = 3.8587x0.8654
R² = 0.7387
1
0.1
0.1
1
10
Mean discharge for 30 years
100
y = 19.829x0.5817
R² = 0.8165
1000
100
10
1
0.01
1
100
Mean discharge for 30 years (cumec)
Figure 5.32: Anomalies for EF2 and EF3- analysis of the dry year 2003-03
Both the stations EF2 and EF3 in the figure 5.32 shows that the trend line for the year 200203 tends to be more inclined to the y-axis, hence confirming that 2002-03 was a wet year.
This is technically similar to
i.e Mean (discharge) + SD= Wet year and Mean
(discharge) – SD= Dry Year.
Page | 48
CHAPTER-06
CONCLUSION
6.1 CONCLUDING REMARKS
The decided researched area is Mahanadi river basin, which is a basically a rain-fed river
with a total of eight gauge stations, covering the entire area of the basin. Five methods are
used for the computation of the EF requirements: Tenant, RVA, FDC and low flow duration
indices, EMC and FDC shift and spatial interpolation method. The concluding report from
the various methods is given below:

Time series plot shows that the observed discharge for the seven stations for 30 years
(except Tikarpara- EF8) apart from the monsoon season, is very low.

Tennant method doesn’t give the practical values for both the fair and the minimum
flow values for the eight stations. It’s just suitable for the policy makers.

RVA method computes the flow values for various parameters where 7-day minimum
plays the best fit role giving 0.12, 0.23, 1.56, 2.25, 0.52, 0.41, 10.36 and 200.08 (m3/s) for
stations EF1, EF2, EF3, EF4, EF5, EF6, EF7 and EF8 simultaneously.

FDC and low flow duration indices suggest that for depicting the low flow, Q95 is the
best low flow duration indices which can be used for MRB basin. FDC generated for the
eight stations suggests that 7Q10 is the best-fit-curve for the entire basin and serves all the
purposes whereas 7Q2, 7Q5 and 7Q20 can be solely applied where the main purpose is
habitat maintenance, fisheries and flow limiting condition.

EMC and FDC shift classifies the FDC to be applied for the dry year or wet year,
when the basin flow needs to be modified. It’s categorised into six classes. 2008-09 was a
drought year and the FDC generated matched with that of the Class D FDC of station EF2.
Page | 49

Spatial Interpolation method generates the required monthly time series for the station
EF4 from the station EF3 with the standardized curve 7Q10 and anomalies for dry year
(2002-03) for both the stations EF2 and EF3 are analysed.
Hence from the above research arena, it can be concluded that the 7Q10 (FDC) evolves as the
best-fit method for the determination of the EF of the basin. It gives a range of values which
satisfies different purpose of the EF of the basin (such as ecological balance, marine
ecosystem, flushing away sediments, maintaining riparian habitat etc).
6.2 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR MAINTAINING EF
 Planning is considered as the foundation of environmental watering practise. Water
management plan is considered as the main driver action, which guide every policy
makers.
 Recognization of the asset and its priority is one of the most important aspect in the field
of maintain EF. The important characteristics and the features of the study areas should
be studied thoroughly.
 Water revival (savings) is an important infrastructure development and should be wellemphasised and developed to put a step towards an integrated EF management.
 Optimal consumption of small environmental water allotments is a huge step for the
drought management.
 State-of-the art methods and tools should be used for computation of EF (for eg. RS, GIS
etc.) and continuous monitoring of the river basin should be done.
 Community engagement is an important aspect and environmental policy makers should
deal with these efficiently, as public consultancy is very useful.
 Adaptive management should be taken into consideration as to how the riparian
environment is effectively managed.
Page | 50
 Incorporating new knowledge and the water managers should be daily updated about the
environmental flow. Quality assessment should be done with the latest technologies and
techniques available universally.
 In many cases it has been seen that the illegal structures and water theft is very common
and these prevent the natural regulation of the river. Hence for effective management,
illegal structures and various mischievous pilfering should be stopped and uprooted from
the grass root level.
6.2 FUTURE SCOPE OF THE STUDY

MRB is a very big catchment and all the eight gauging stations are either situated near
some major cities, where the population is very high and the water requirements are
mostly fed directly from the river or near mining areas and major industries, where the
pollutants are directly discharged into the river, making the river contaminated if
sufficient flow isn’t there. High flow pulses can be generated using the tenant method or
using the spatial interpolation method for these mining and industrial areas to flush out
the pollutants and sediments if they are blocking the flow, endangering the ecological
system of the area.

The outcome of the analysis is very good. These methods can be applied for the different
basins across the universe and is independent of the catchment area, with proper
amendments of the input parameters. All the five methods are equally flexible and can
operate accordingly with the availability of discharge data for different basins.
Page | 51
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Page | 56
APPENDIX
y = 0.0112x - 0.0719
R² = 0.8572
1.5
Q95 AT EF2
1
0.8
0.6
Q95
0.4
0.2
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
y = 0.008x - 0.0308
R² = 0.8843
1.2
1
Q90
0.5
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
y = 0.0138x - 0.0882
R² = 0.8745
2
1.5
1
Q85
0
0
20
40
60
80
20
40
60
80
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
y = 0.0198x - 0.1458
R² = 0.7428
Q85 AT EF2
0.5
0
DISCHARGE (UMEC)
0
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Q90 AT EF2
Q80 AT EF2
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
100
Q80
0
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
20
40
60
80
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Figure (i): Figures Q95, Q90, Q85 & Q80 low flow indices for EF2
y = 0.1033x - 1.453
R² = 0.9057
12
Q95 AT EF3
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
y = 0.0872x - 1.3771
R² = 0.9463
10
Q90 AT EF3
10
8
6
4
Q95
2
8
6
Q90
4
2
0
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
0
20
40
60
80
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Page | 57
20
y = 0.1282x - 1.9153
R² = 0.8126
15
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
20
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Q80 AT EF3
Q85 AT EF3
y = 0.1488x - 1.9321
R² = 0.8637
15
10
10
Q85
5
0
0
20
40
60
80
Q80
5
0
100
0
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
20
40
60
80
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Figure (ii): Figures Q95, Q90, Q85 & Q80 low flow indices for EF3
15
y = 0.1042x - 1.8495
R² = 0.9392
8
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISHARGE (CUMEC)
Q90 AT EF4
Q95 AT EF4
10
10
6
4
Q95
2
0
Q90
5
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
0
Q85 AT EF4
y = 0.1781x - 2.2702
R² = 0.8552
20
15
10
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Q80 AT EF4
30
Q85
5
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
25
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
y = 0.1389x - 2.1839
R² = 0.9092
25
y = 0.2014x - 1.6339
R² = 0.872
20
15
Q80
10
5
0
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Figure (iii): Figures Q95, Q90, Q85 & Q80 low flow indices for EF4
Page | 58
2
Q95
1
0
0
Q90 AT EF5
5
y = 0.0334x - 0.7627
R² = 0.8402
4
3
2
Q90
1
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
0
Q85 AT EF5
6
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
y = 0.048x - 1.059
R² = 0.8704
5
4
3
2
Q85
1
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Q80 AT EF5
10
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
y = 0.0261x - 0.6241
R² = 0.8073
3
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Q95 AT EF5
4
y = 0.0652x - 1.2465
R² = 0.8226
8
6
4
Q80
2
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Figure (iv): Figures Q95, Q90, Q85 & Q80 low flow indices for EF5
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
10
y = 0.0408x - 1.0436
R² = 0.3792
8
6
4
Q95
2
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Q95 AT EF6
0
Q90 AT EF6
20
y = 0.0671x - 1.6189
R² = 0.3498
15
10
Q90
5
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
0
Q80 AT EF6
10
6
y = 0.0481x - 0.804
R² = 0.6831
4
Q85
2
0
0 NON-EXCEEDANC
50 E PROBABILITY 100
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Q85 AT EF6
8
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
25
20
y = 0.1019x - 1.664
R² = 0.425
15
10
Q80
5
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Figure (v): Figures Q95, Q90, Q85 & Q80 low flow indices for EF6
Page | 59
Q90 AT EF7
100
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
Q95 AT EF7
100
y = 0.5336x - 15.19
R² = 0.5724
80
60
40
Q95
20
0
0
80
y = 0.6825x - 18.132
R² = 0.6976
60
40
20
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCCEDANCE PROBABILITY
Q90
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Q80 AT EF7
Q85 AT EF7
80
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
100
y = 0.7738x - 19.945
R² = 0.7203
60
40
Q85
20
0
0
100
y = 0.8454x - 20.929
R² = 0.7295
50
Q80
0
0
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
50
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Figure (vi): Figures showing Q95, Q90, Q85 & Q80 low flow indices for EF7
y = 2.7098x + 106.84
R² = 0.8796
500
Q95 FOR EF8
400
300
200
Q95
100
0
0
50
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
y = 3.0081x + 62.082
R² = 0.9311
500
400
300
200
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
100
400
300
Q85
100
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
DISCHARGE (CUMEC)
y = 2.4376x + 162.05
R² = 0.9003
600
Q85 AT EF8
200
Q90
100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
y = 2.4107x + 145.36
R² = 0.8799
500
Q90 FOR EF8
Q80 AT EF8
400
200
Q80
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
NON-EXCEEDANCE PROBABILITY
Figure (vii): Figures showing Q95, Q90, Q85 & Q80 low flow indices for EF7
Page | 60