The Regulation Of Peace River

This book presents a comprehensive overview of the first longitudinal study of the downstream response of a major river to the establishment of a large hydropower facility and dams. Peace River, a northward flowing boreal river in northwestern Canada was dammed in 1967 and the book describes the morphological response of the 1200 km downstream channel and the response of riparian vegetation to the change in flow regime over the first forty years of regulated flows. Beginning with a description of the effect of regulation on the flow and sediment regimes of the river, the book proceeds to study changes in downstream channel geometry on the main stem, on the lowermost course of tributaries, and on the hydraulic geometry, the overall morphology of the channel, and riparian vegetation succession. The river is subject to annual freeze-up and break-up, so a chapter is devoted to the ice regime of the river. A chapter compares the effects of two extraordinary post-regulation flood events. The penultimate chapter presents a prediction of the ultimate equilibrium form of the regulated river based on rational regime theory. An online database of all the main observations will provide invaluable material for advanced students of river hydraulics and geomorphology. This book carefully brings together a range of studies that have been previously inaccessible providing a rare and comprehensive analysis of the effects of a big dam on a river, a river that itself represents an example of the kind of system that is likely to receive considerable attention in the future from dam engineers and environmentalists. • An invaluable reference to river scientists, hydroelectric power developers, engineers and environmentalists • Focus on a northward flowing boreal river, a type that holds most of the remaining hydroelectric power potential in the Northern Hemisphere • Exceptional separation of water and sediment sources, permitting study of the isolated effect of manipulating one of the two major governing conditions of river processes and form • Unique example of water regulation and both natural and engineered flood flows • Detailed study of both morphological changes of the channel and of the riparian vegetation • Online data supplement including major data tables and numerous maps. Details of the main observations and provides material for problem study by advanced students of river hydraulics and geomorphology are provided

This book presents a comprehensive overview of the first longitudinal study of the downstream response of a major river to the establishment of a large hydropower facility and dams. Peace River, a northward flowing boreal river in northwestern Canada was dammed in 1967 and the book describes the morphological response of the 1200 km downstream channel and the response of riparian vegetation to the change in flow regime over the first forty years of regulated flows. Beginning with a description of the effect of regulation on the flow and sediment regimes of the river, the book proceeds to study changes in downstream channel geometry on the main stem, on the lowermost course of tributaries, and on the hydraulic geometry, the overall morphology of the channel, and riparian vegetation succession. The river is subject to annual freeze-up and break-up, so a chapter is devoted to the ice regime of the river. A chapter compares the effects of two extraordinary post-regulation flood events. The penultimate chapter presents a prediction of the ultimate equilibrium form of the regulated river based on rational regime theory. An online database of all the main observations will provide invaluable material for advanced students of river hydraulics and geomorphology. This book carefully brings together a range of studies that have been previously inaccessible providing a rare and comprehensive analysis of the effects of a big dam on a river, a river that itself represents an example of the kind of system that is likely to receive considerable attention in the future from dam engineers and environmentalists. • An invaluable reference to river scientists, hydroelectric power developers, engineers and environmentalists • Focus on a northward flowing boreal river, a type that holds most of the remaining hydroelectric power potential in the Northern Hemisphere • Exceptional separation of water and sediment sources, permitting study of the isolated effect of manipulating one of the two major governing conditions of river processes and form • Unique example of water regulation and both natural and engineered flood flows • Detailed study of both morphological changes of the channel and of the riparian vegetation • Online data supplement including major data tables and numerous maps. Details of the main observations and provides material for problem study by advanced students of river hydraulics and geomorphology are provided

Describes the effects of flow regulation on the freeze-up processes of part of the Peace River downstream of the Bennett Dam, which has regulated the river flow since 1972. Ice modelling and a review of ice observations and other field data were used to characterise the extent of flow regulation and its effects on ice in the river channel. Explicit equations and algorithms are presented that quantify the processes by which an ice cover forms on large regulated and non-regulated rivers. Work previously undertaken on the Peace River is also described to provide a framework for the calibration of these algorithms for the river in both its regulated and non-regulated condition. A procedure was developed for forecasting freeze-up on a non-regulated river and a stability relationship was derived that uses both air temperature and discharge to determine whether a juxtaposed or consolidated ice cover will form. In addition, the hydraulic characteristics of the Peace River were evaluated for six reaches using the existing data base.

Describes results of an investigation into the impacts of regulation on the Alberta portion of the Peace River channel and its associated vegetative cover downstream of the Bennett Dam in British Columbia, installed in 1967. Four representative reaches of the river totalling 500 kilometres were selected for examination of changes between 1968 and 1993. Study methodology involved constructing maps of river morphology and principal riparian vegetation communities from air photographs taken at various dates. In addition, extended vegetation mapping was provided on the 1993 maps to show the valley-side vegetation beyond the riparian zone. Morphological changes are summarized in 31 sub-reaches of 10-25 kilometres in length. River morphology is summarized in six major elements: water surface, unvegetated and vegetated bar surface, island surface, floodplain surface, and tributary alluvial fans within the floodplain. A dominant pattern of riparian succession is also noted.

"In the delta, water is boss, change is the only constant, and creation and destruction exist side by side." The Peace-Athabasca Delta in northern Alberta is a globally significant wetland that lies within one of the largest unfragmented landscapes in North America. Arguably the world's largest boreal inland delta, it is renowned for its biological productivity and is a central feature of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yet the delta and its indigenous cultures lie downstream of Alberta's bitumen sands, whose exploitation comprises one of the largest industrial projects in the world. Kevin Timoney provides an authoritative synthesis of the science and history of the delta, describing its ecology, unraveling its millennia-long history, and addressing its uncertain future. Scientists, students, leaders in the energy sector, government officials and policy makers, and conscientious citizens everywhere should read this lively work.