Evaluation of hydropower projects in Balkan Rivers based on direct sediment transport measurements; challenges, limits and possible data interpretation – Case study Vjosa River/Albania

The Vjosa River in Albania represents one of Europe's last free-flowing wild rivers, comprising a mosaic various habitats and forming highly dynamic natural ecosystem for flora fauna, that has largely disappeared from other European rivers outside Russia. However, due to economic interests, this sensitive heterogeneous river system is under pressure potential future use hydropower, threatening the good hydromorphological ecological status with reservoir flushing, hydropeaking, colmation, loss connectivity. Beside impacts, study aims point out boundaries technical issues related hydropower. Hence, first time, sediment transport was measured. results indicate possible consequences disturbed regime capacity caused by sedimentation reservoirs. Moreover, subsequent consequences, such as bed incision downstream dams well progressive coastal erosion, are discussed. By combining data direct bedload suspended measurements long-term hydrological data, an attempt made describe characteristics catchment evaluate hydropower plants resulting using limited data. Based on presented study, it aimed define monitoring standards requested environmental impact assessments highlight negative impacts projects across entire Balkan region.