Oscillation Flow Dam Operation Method for Algal Bloom Mitigation

Abstract

Green algae play an important role in ecosystems as primary producers, but they can cause algal blooms, which are socio-environmental burdens as responding to them requires water resources from dam reservoirs. This study proposes an alternative for reducing algal blooms through dam operation without using additional water resources. A novel oscillation flow concept was suggested: oscillating discharge of dam for irregular flow. To examine its effect, the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code—National Institute of Environment Research (EFDC-NIER) model was constructed and calibrated for the Namhan River, South Korea, from downstream of the Chungju Dam to downstream of Gangcheon Weir. The water quality in the study area were simulated and analyzed for August 2019, which is when the largest number of harmful cyanobacteria had been reported in recent years. Our results showed that the oscillation flow produced significant variance of flow velocity, and algal bloom density in the Namhan River was reduced by 20–30% through the operation of the Chungju Dam. However, further study and investigation are required before practical application.