Algal Boom Characteristics of Yeongsan River Based on Weir and Estuary
Dam Operating Conditions Using EFDC-NIER model
Abstract
The Yeongsan River in southwestern Korea is 150 km long and has a basin
area of 3,551 km2. A number of hydraulic structures
have been installed along the river, including an estuary dam and two
weirs (Seungchon and Juksan). While these structures aid in regional
water security and reduced flooding, they stagnate water flow and
frequently cause algal blooms during the summer. This study simulated
the algal bloom and water quality characteristics in the middle and
downstream sections of the Yeongsan River under different weir and
estuary dam operating conditions using the Environmental Fluid Dynamics
Code-National Institute of Environment Research (EFDC-NIER) model.
Results showed that when the management levels of the Juksan Weir and
estuary dam were maintained, the simulated water levels were 3.7 and
-1.2 m in the Juksan Weir and estuary dam sections, respectively. When
both the Juksan Weir and estuary dam were open, the water levels varied
with the tide and were maintained at an average of 0.2-0.6 m in
contrast, when the Juksan Weir alone was open, the water level was
between -1.2 and -0.9 m in line with the management level of the estuary
dam. Opening the Juksan Weir alone reduced the algal blooms by 72-84%
in the Juksan Weir section, and opening the estuary dam alone reduced
the algal blooms by 83% in the estuary dam. This improvement was
attributed to the reduced water retention time and dilution due to
seawater inflows.