
Our group of allies is increasing! Scientists in our network not only lend their own data but also use their independent voices to advocate for the protection of rivers.
For over a year, scientists from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) have been studying the sediment transport of the Vjosa river for different high and low water phases. They measured how much gravel, sand and fine sediment the Vjosa is transporting and calculated the annual sediment loads of the river. From these results, the researchers were able to predict the consequences on energy production, ecosystems and the Adriatic coast, if the sediments would be held back behind the planned Kalivac and Pocem dam walls. The scientists’ conclusions: the projected hydropower plans on the Vjosa would lead to a lose-lose-lose situation:
Study: Measuring of sediment transport and morphodynamics at the Vjosa river/Albania
Infographic Annual Sedimentation / Infographic Loss of Energy Potential / Infographic River Bed Incision / Infographic Coastal Erosion
Press release: New Vjosa study: hardly any energy, no sand for the beach