IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i22p16020-d1281752.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impounding Reservoirs, Benefits and Risks: A Review of Environmental and Technical Aspects of Construction and Operation

Author

Listed:
  • Maksymilian Połomski

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 24, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
    State Water Holding Polish Waters—Regional Water Management Authority in Wrocław, Norwida 34, 50-950 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Mirosław Wiatkowski

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 24, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland)

Abstract

The operation of multi-functional reservoirs, together with their benefits and risks, is a complex issue. The scientific and social discussion has been burgeoning recently, and all the more so as no planning and technological solutions for the realisation of storage reservoirs have yet been worked out that could represent a universal approach, assuming ecologically and socially sustainable operations, maximising economic returns and supporting the development of the region concerned. Although the creation of each reservoir facility involves different engineering and environmental considerations, this article attempts to isolate the key benefits of impounding reservoirs and to summarise the risks associated with their operation, considering flood protection, retention, environmental and social aspects and water quality. Based on a review of the scientific literature for each of these aspects, various sub-categories representing intensively developing sectors of research were distinguished, and the published results were used to formulate a register taking into account the spectrum of impact of a given factor and a proposal for remedial action. As a basic conclusion of this review, it can be pointed out that the current development of scientific research, technological progress in hydrotechnical engineering and information technology, as well as advanced data analysis capabilities, provide the basis for developing sustainable solutions to avoid or mitigate the negative impact of all the identified risks. In addition, remedial measures in the catchment area and the reservoir should be taken on board to counteract the negative effects of reservoirs. The results presented can be a valuable source of information for institutions responsible for the planning and implementation of investments in the construction of multi-functional reservoirs.

Suggested Citation

  • Maksymilian Połomski & Mirosław Wiatkowski, 2023. "Impounding Reservoirs, Benefits and Risks: A Review of Environmental and Technical Aspects of Construction and Operation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-23, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:16020-:d:1281752
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/16020/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/16020/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xuan Zhang & Changling Fang & Yuan Wang & Xiaoyi Lou & Ying Su & Dongmei Huang, 2022. "Review of Effects of Dam Construction on the Ecosystems of River Estuary and Nearby Marine Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Nejc Bezak & Martina Kovačević & Gregor Johnen & Klaudija Lebar & Vesna Zupanc & Andrej Vidmar & Simon Rusjan, 2021. "Exploring Options for Flood Risk Management with Special Focus on Retention Reservoirs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-20, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Aurelian Cosmin Moldovan & Tomi Alexandrel Hrăniciuc & Valer Micle & Nicolae Marcoie, 2023. "Research on the Sustainable Development of the Bistrita Ardeleana River in Order to Stop the Erosion of the Riverbanks and the Thalweg," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, April.
    2. Rapeepat Techarungruengsakul & Anongrit Kangrang, 2022. "Application of Harris Hawks Optimization with Reservoir Simulation Model Considering Hedging Rule for Network Reservoir System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Pan Hu & Lan Feng, 2023. "The Risk of Water Quality Deterioration with Urban Flood Control—A Case in Wuxi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:16020-:d:1281752. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.