Abstract:
The hydro-ecological studies are important for any water resources development project.
In the present study, river ecology studies including the flow duration curve and environmental
flow requirement have been carried out for a sub-basin of the Mahanadi River (Hamp River). Flow
duration curves (FDCs) are important hydrological tools, which are essential for water resource
planning and management. These can condense a plethora of hydrological information into a
single graphic image. FDCs are often used to summarize the impacts of potential anthropogenic
and climate change scenarios on water resource systems. Results derived from the FDCs are used
by hydrologist and engineers involved in planning and designing of various water resource
projects. Other uses of FDCs includes evaluating the characteristics of hydropower potential of
the river; design of drainage systems; flood- control studies; computing the sediment load and
dissolved solids load of a stream; comparing the adjacent catchments with a view to extend the
streamflow data, etc. Apart from these classical uses, the FDCs can also be used to assess the
health of the river in terms of its ecological status
