Department Surface Waters - Research and Management

Hydropeaking mitigation – Synergies between research and practice


The exploitation of hydropower is extensive across Switzerland and contributes an important share to the security of national energy. Reservoirs allow for flexible power production and can respond
rapidly to seasonal or diurnal fluctuations in energy demand. On-demand production of power leads to hydropeaking in the receiving river, i.e. to abrupt fluctuations in flow and water level. Hydropeaking causes problematic effects in the river ecosystem as habitats undergo regular fluctuations, young fish can strand on the newly dry gravel bars and large numbers of insect larvae can be flushed away from the river bottom.

The revised Swiss Water Protection Act demands the mitigation of hydropower plants where hydropeaking causes serious ecological harm. Around 100 hydropower plants have been classified as priority by the Cantons and have to be mitigated by 2030.

However, hydropeaking mitigation is a challenging task. A close collaboration across all stakeholders involved is required in order to use available resources in an efficient and effective way. Sharing experiences and collaborative learning are of particular importance.

In our research project, which is funded by the Federal Office for the Environment, we support the collaboration between science and practice through three activities: First, we assist in the monitoring and evaluation of hydropower plants that have to be mitigated. Second, we initiate and conduct studies to address open questions through applied research. And third, we support knowledge transfer, e.g. by WaterAgenda 21, with literature reviews and workshops.

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