Effect of low temperature on reservoir water and mechanical control measure

Thermal stratification of reservoirs is a critical ecological factor for regulating direct and indirect effects of temperature on reservoir productivity. In particular, low temperature reservoir waters have adverse effects on agricultural/aquatic ecology. Selective water withdrawal from different reservoir depths is used to manage water demand for different uses. In China, stoplog gate are constructed in large reservoirs to regulate water temperatures for crop irrigation and fish breeding. When water is withdrawn from different reservoir depths, flow patterns, stratification and therefore water quality in the reservoir are altered. Vertical 1-D or 2-D water temperature models were applied to analyze the effects of selective water withdrawal on thermal structure and release water temperature in reservoirs. In this study, thermal stratification and the related seasonal variations in reservoirs were simulated. The effects of two different water withdrawal schemes on water release temperature were analyzed using the MIKE-3 numerical simulation model. Based on the model simulation, stoplog gates effectively improved low temperature water conditions. The predicted thermal stratification and water temperature profiles were noticeably influenced by withdrawal schemes. There were significant differences in the regulation effects of water withdrawal on release temperature between single-layer entry and stoplog gate. From March to September, water temperature was higher by 2~4 oC in stoplog gate than in single-layer entry scheme. The water release temperature of stoplog gate scheme reached 18.4 oC in May, which was the required water temperature for fish spawning. It was therefore concluded that stoplog gate was a more suitable engineered structure. It was not only ecologically friendly, but also effectively improved water temperature, mitigated ecological effects, and ensured coordinated environmental protection and socio-economic efficiency.