Calculation methods of instream flow needed for rivers and Eastern Blacksea case study

Proper identification of a minimum water amount to be released from hydropower plants in order to prevent damage of ecosystem, maintain the water quality and continue the living creatures is quite important. In this study, minimum amount of water is calculated according to data of 5 gaging stations located in the Eastern Blacksea Basin. In the first chapter, scope and importance of the study is mentioned and definition of Hydroelectric power plant with its main components and especially advantages and disadvantages are explained. Retaining of water and releasing insufficiently less amount as a disadvantage of hydroelectric power plant are mentioned and legally necessary instream flow in Turkey is given in this chapter. In the second chapter, methods to determine streamflow quantity are explained in detail and basin characteristics and methods used in this study are expressed. Results of the analysis for rivers in Eastern Blacksea Basin in order to obtain minimum level of water which is named as instream flow to prevent river ecosystem and provide continuation of living things were given both numerically and graphically in the third chapter. Results obtained in the previous chapter according to each gaging station data are examined in the fourth chapter. All results, including which method is suitable for which station are given in the fifth chapter and in general, Q70 method is determined the most suitable one. In the sith chapter, recommendations are presented.