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The Reservoired Lower Damodar River: A Hydro-Geomorphic Perspective

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The Lower Damodar River, India

Part of the book series: Advances in Asian Human-Environmental Research ((AAHER))

Abstract

Rivers respond to anthropogenic activities through morphological and hydrological adjustments in the channel. This chapter addresses the hydromorphological consequences of the control structures on the Damodar River. Dams have altered the flow regime, channel characteristics and the sediment supply of the river. Under natural flow conditions, on an average, 12 days per year experienced a flow above 2,265.6 m3/s. This has decreased to 4 days under artificial conditions. Monsoon streamflow has been reduced, but non-monsoon flow has increased albeit with a very high variability in the post-dam period. The R.I. of the bankfull stage, a flow of 7,080 m3/s in the pre-dam period, increased from 2 to 14 years in the post-dam period. The magnitude of the design flood from Maithon and Panchet reservoirs has been reduced by about 56%. During the non-monsoon period canal discharge in most cases exceeds the river discharge. The low volume of water released downstream during dry months virtually transforms this section into a sandy waste whereas the high discharge released during monsoon months converts the section to a vigorous flowing channel. Although some sediment is trapped in the reservoirs, a million tons of sediment nevertheless pours into the river from the uncontrolled stretch. Capacity of the river to transport this sediment has been reduced due to the reduction of flood peaks. A chain of sandbars has emerged within the riverbed below the control structures. The channel deposits in the study area support agriculture and most of the channel bars have been settled and are now used as a resource base, mostly by Bangladeshi refugees.

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  1. School of Natural Resources and Environment University of Michigan, 440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1041, USA

    Dr. Kumkum Bhattacharyya

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Bhattacharyya, K. (2011). The Reservoired Lower Damodar River: A Hydro-Geomorphic Perspective. In: The Lower Damodar River, India. Advances in Asian Human-Environmental Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0467-1_4

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