Interbasin flow transfers
Contents
Interbasin flow transfers
02. Flow regulations
General description
An inter-basin transfer or transbasin diversion takes place when water is withdrawn from one river basin (a donor basin), distributed for use in another river basin (a receiving basin) and not returned to the basin of origin. Inter-basin transfers involve a consumptive use of water from the donor basin. The main purpose of such schemes is usually water supply to urban or industrial areas, but transfers are also used for hydropower production and, in the Mediterranean region and semiarid basins, for irrigation or for alleviating water shortages during drought years. Since conveyance of water between natural basins comprises both a flow reduction in the source catchment and an addition at the destination, such projects may be controversial in some places and over time, due to their scale, involve costs and environmental or developmental impacts.
Effect/Impact on (including literature citations)
- HYMO (general and specified per HYMO element)
- physico - chemical parameters
- Biota (general and specified per Biological quality elements)
Case studies where this pressure is present
- No related measures were found.
Possible restoration, rehabilitation and mitigation measures
- Recycle used water
- Reduce water consumption
- Create low flow channels in over-sized channels
- Water diversion and transfer
