Frontiers of (Pareto) Optimal and Sustainable Water Management for Hydropower and Ecology

River regulation alters the natural flow regime of streams with consequent impacts on terrestrial and aquatic habitats riparian zone. The severity such can be modulated by changing redistribution rules at water intakes reservoirs. Contrary to minimal-flow policies, non-proportional proportional policies result in variable environmental releases, namely Dynamic Environmental Flows (DEFs), which improve global (i.e., ecological economic) efficiency use practice, e.g., for energy production. DEF assessment is based different indicators. However, choice aggregation method hydrological fish habitat indicators affects power plant performance, i.e., Frontier efficient solutions (sensu Pareto). This study investigates assessment, shows extent Pareto-efficient solutions. findings are supported six case studies hydropower practice that differ terms river morphology, production amount technique. relative importance several types examined as their influence optimal sustainable allocation lie Pareto Frontier. analysis DEFs arising from either or positively impact strategies management freshwater resources.