River morphological quality assessment, derived from quantification of human pressures as well as river channel alteration, is a demand of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in terms of integrating hydromorphological elements in defining ecological status. Our study’s aim is to contribute to the hydromorphological evaluation by proposing indicators and separating classes, based on a revisited Morphological Quality Index (rMQI) protocol. The rMQI is based on 12 indicators of human pressures, 10 indicators of channel form adjustments, and 11 indicators of functionality. The rMQI scoring system allows for the quantification of changes when compared to reference conditions, be they undisturbed or nearly undisturbed by human interventions, with absent channel adjustments and a functioning natural river style. We used the lower, meandering sector of the Prahova River to demonstrate our assessment methodology. The Lower Prahova River suffers from a minor local intervention and a diminishing intensity of fluvial processes specific to a meandering style. Meanders geometry was affected by significant changes that included a decrease in the radius of curvature, width and width–to–mean–depth ratio. We concluded that the Lower Prahova River has a good morphological quality, which is rated as second class on a scale of five levels, from natural to severely modified. We recommend an improvement in the hydromorphological evaluation protocol in Romania by additional indicators for morphological alterations specific to each channel pattern.

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/7/6/2971/pdf

Using Pressure and Alteration Indicators to Assess River Morphological Quality: Case Study of the Prahova River (Romania)

The Danube: Morphology, Evolution, and Environmental Issues

This chapter explores trends in hydropower developments in the Danube River Basin. After briefly describing the basin, we summarize the extent of current hydropower developments, and review their impacts, focussing specifically on the sediment budget. We then discuss emerging challenges, associated with climate and environmental change that illustrate the need for new, inter-disciplinary approaches to river basin management to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of hydropower developments in the basin. Finally we highlight the need to balance the benefits afforded by hydropower in the Danube River Basin, in reducing the use of fossil fuels, with the individual and cumulative environmental impacts of hydropower schemes. 

Hydropower in the Danube River Basin: Current Status and Emerging Challenges

Hydropower developments are of major importance for the national economy and constitute one of the most impressive symbols of modernisation in the mountains of Romania. Development dates back to the turn of the century and comprehensive surveys were carried out during the 1930s; but construction on a sustained basis has occurred only during the postwar period, involving 118 water storages and some 5700 MW of installed power, a quarter of all installed electricpower in the country. The paper provides an outline of the programme, as a contribution to the wider electrification programme, and considers the impact of these developments in the Carpathians where there is much evidence of integrated rural planning to combine electricity generation with forestry and tourism. The prospects for further development in the context of a market economy are considered in the light of both economic and ecological issues.

Serban Simina Dragomirescu

Papers

Hydro-electricity in the Romanian Carpathians