Evaluation of environmental flow amounts of hydroelectric plants: Example of Trabzon city

Water, which is an indispensable part of human life and ecosystem with its effective and safe use, is also an important building block in economic and technological developments. In particular, depending on the amount of water used in the conversion of hydroelectric energy from renewable energy sources, it is very important to determine how much of the natural flow regime should be left to the downstream of the river in order for a river ecosystem to remain healthy and maintain its ecological functions, both in terms of sustainable ecosystem integrity and the necessity of meeting the ever increasing energy needs. In this study; After giving detailed theoretical information with environmental flow methods, the amount of environmental flow in the design and operation stages of Hydroelectric Power Plants in Trabzon province was compared. In this context; Flow Continuity Curve Method, Low Flow Indices Method (7Q10) determined by the Nature Conservation National Parks Directorate (DKMPM) depending on the flow rates obtained from the 22nd Regional Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) of the vital water amounts of the Hydroelectric Power Plants determined in the province of Trabzon in particular for the study.) and Wet Environment Method calculations were made. The flow rates found were compared with the Environmental Flow Amounts (Life Water) obtained from the Nature Conservation National Park Directorate. Thus, by comparing the flow values measured in practice and the flow values in theory, the adequacy of aquatic organisms in terms of sustainable ecosystem integrity has been determined and examined.