Environmental Flow

Abstract

Environmental flow defined as minimum flow that should be maintained in the river for the protection and maintenance of the environment as well as river morphology, ecology, aquatic life and pollution. Environmental flow is essential like blood circulation in human body. In this research 24 years daily discharge of lower part of the Mahanadi River are taken for the analysis. Analysis is based on two methods i.e. flow duration curve analysis method and range of variability analysis method. Flow duration curve analysis method includes 1-day, 3-day and 7-day flow. Range of variability of analysis method analyses by IHA (Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration) and calculates 67 statistical parameters (33 IHA, 34 EFC). Results obtained from both the methods are discussed.