Impact of the Cascade Hydropower Construction (HPC) on Water Quality of the Seyhan River, Turkey

Abstract

Cascade hydropower construction is a series of hydroelectric power stations located ondifferent sections of river. Hydropower constructions (HPC) in the environment haveboth positive and negative effect. HPCs are works that have brought enormous benefits toproviding electric energy, water storage, controlling floods, irrigation, transportation, humancommunities, and areas of recreation, etc. These engineering works can be providinglarge economic development in the regions where they are located. But, dam constructionconverts the natural stream flow to human control. This paper summarizes the impactsof cascade HPC on water quality in the Seyhan River. Water quality data were collectedand data were divided into two stage: before HPC (1995-2008) and during HPC construction(2009-2014). Dam construction negatively affects water quality based on waterquality data. The analysis results were compared with maximum permissible limit valuesrecommended by Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation (TWPCR) standards. Thecontents of all chemical and physical parameters are higher before construction, and waterpollution was observed at HPC construction site. Also, biological oxygen demand, chloride,nitrite nitrogen, total dissolved solids and total coliform bacteria were found to be aboveTWPCR.