Sustaining hydropower production and high-value fish populations: Ecological models for assessing hydropeaking and habitat restoration scenarios

Hydropower is a key source of sustainable fossil-free energy, but damming rivers has also caused biodiversity declines.

In this project we will develop Individual-Based Models (IBM) to assess how fish populations can be restored while maintaining streamflows for hydropower production. We will build upon our earlier successes with inSTREAM, the world’s foremost IBM for stream salmonids.

For two key hydropower-producing rivers under hydropeaking flows, we will: 1) create meta-population IBMs to link important salmon and trout habitat reaches in Gullspångsälven, and 2) develop the first inSTREAM model for European grayling, to assess habitat restoration scenarios in Luleälven.

Recent results demonstrate that habitat restoration may mitigate some effects of hydropeaking, protecting fish populations while maintaining power production.

Development of inSTREAM can contribute to meeting national goals, while positioning Sweden as an international leader in advanced environmental assessments.