Water management

Abstract

Water management (river regulation and flood control) is one of the earliest human interventions into geomorphic evolution. River regulations and flood control are represented by two basic structures: dams as positive and channels as negative landforms compared to the adjacent surfaces. Engineering structures of water management do not only alter total amount of water available but also its spatial and diurnal distribution. Locally increasing or decreasing water discharge results in changes in the parameters of sediment transport and influence geomorphic evolution. Consequently, new landforms develop locally and others begin to decay. Water management measures, however, can often significantly affect sediment transport not only locally but on long river sections. During hydraulic engineering works, both increase and decrease shear stress may occur, hence mass movements can be initiated. Underground water management is a common cause of non-slope mass movements (ground subsidence). Their relevance has become well acknowledged in the last century due to the rapidly increasing use of underground waters. Alterations of coasts and lake-shores have been made for basically two reasons: either for the purpose of coastal defence ('passive' intervention) or for a particular economic activity ('active' intervention). Water management covers both kinds of activities. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.