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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 76(2)

Dam-induced impacts on the water temperature of the Charef River (north-eastern Algeria)

Omar Ramzi Ziouch https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7823-3782 A * , Naouel Dali B , Rabah Zebsa C , Tarek Daifallah B , Hadjer Laskri D , Chaima Ziani A , Rabab Nouar A and Zinette Bensakhri C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Laboratory of Bio-Composites, Bio-Molecules, Surface Treatment and Water Treatment, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, Algeria. Email: zianichaima36@gmail.com; nouarrabab0@gmail.com

B Laboratory of Biotechnology, Water, Environment, and Health, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, Algeria. Email: dali.naouel@univ-khenchela.dz; daifallah.tarek@univ-khenchela.dz

C Laboratoire de Biologie, Eau et Environnement, University of 8 May 1945 Guelma, BP 4010, Guelma 24000, Algeria. Email: zebsarabah@gmail.com; zinette_29@yahoo.fr

D Laboratory of Biogeochemical and Ecological Analyses of Aquatic Environments, Department of Marine Science, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, PO Box 12, Sidi Ammar 23000, Algeria. Email: hadjerlaskri5@gmail.com

* Correspondence to: ziouchor@univ-khenchela.dz

Handling Editor: Yunlin Zhang

Marine and Freshwater Research 76, MF24219 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF24219
Submitted: 4 October 2024  Accepted: 13 January 2025  Published: 29 January 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Dams construction appears to have multi-dimensional effects on the river environment, and it especially affects the thermal condition of rivers.

Aims

The objective of this work was to assess downstream thermal responses to the Charef Dam in relation to the water flow and the water residence time.

Methods

During the year 2012, the hydrological parameters upstream and downstream of the dam were monitored.

Key results

Salinity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and water flow all responded similarly, with larger magnitudes in waters upstream of the dam than downstream, whatever the season. In terms of flux, the Charef Dam retains 59 and 56% of the incoming water and TDS fluxes respectively. Furthermore, the upstream water temperature is higher than that of the downstream in 83% of samples. During the dry season, the thermal response of the waters downstream of the Charef Dam can exceed 2°C (downstream cooling).

Conclusions

Despite being a small dam, the water residence time (2.3 years) in the Charef Dam has a significant effect on the downstream water temperature.

Implications

These temperature changes may cause significant physicochemical and biological issues. Restoration practices such as increasing discharges during dry seasons and riparian cover restoration could mitigate thermal impacts and minimise negative effects.

Keywords: Charef Dam, downstream cooling, hydrological parameters, restoration practices, TDS flux, thermal responses, water flow, water-residence time.

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