Our study shows how streamflow at a weir site is changed when the natural flow is disturbed by a mini-dam (or weir) to collect water for a diversion away from the stream. This is a case from a natural stream where flow is diverted for mini-hydropower production. The study shows stream flow is changed due to this intervention and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the stream is significantly differed above the weir (dam) and below the weir. This change in diversity of fauna (zoobenthic fauna) is due to change in water depth, dissolved oxygen content and volume flow rate both above and below the intervention. Our work provides evidence on the effects of interventions on river ecosystem in largely understudied regions. Studies like this are important to setting-up adequate environmental flows in natural streams.

M. M. M. Najim, D. S. N. Munasinghe, S. Quadroni and M. M. Musthafa

 Scientific Reports

Abstract :- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79576-5