how hydropower operations can accommodate local livelihoods
DESCRIPTION
3rd Mekong Forum on Water, Food & Energy. Presentation from Session 15: Better dams for food and livelihoods.TRANSCRIPT
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How hydropower operations can accommodate local livelihoods?
Third Mekong Forum on Water Food and Energy19-21 November 2013 - Hanoi, Vietnam
Presenter: Guillaume Lacombe
Synthesis of results from two interlinked studies:
Evaluating Land and Water Resources available to communities living around reservoirs in the Mekong Basin: case of the Nam Gnouang reservoir in Lao PDRKam SP, Teoh SJ, Metzger L, Hoanh CT, Reis J, McCartney M, Lacombe G
Adjusting hydropower dam operation to complement livelihood strategies in the Lower Mekong BasinReis J, Culver T, Lacombe G, Hoanh CT, Keophoxay A, Douangsavanh S, Teoh SJ, Kam SP, Sellamuttu SS
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• Livelihoods constrained by several factors:– Steep slopes, protected areas, travelling cost
• Altering dam operations to complement livelihoods is not realistic in the studied site
• Better to adapt to new hydrological reality that prioritizes generation of hydro-electricity– constructed wetlands for fisheries and irrigation
• Today’s livelihood sustained by lacustrine fisheries. And tomorrow ? Off-farm activities?
Key messages
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Case of the Nam Gnouang storage reservoir
Nam Gnouang Dam
Keosaenkham
Typical cross section
Seasonal variations of flooded area:15 – 105 km2
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1. How affected communities can best use land and water resources under new resettlement conditions ?
2. Can reservoir operation rules accommodate livelihood needs while preserving hydropower generation ?a) Recession agriculture on seasonally-exposed garden in
draw-down areas of reservoirb) Fish resources enhanced with constructed wetlands
Modeling, simulations and optimization to explore options
We use a Decision Support System (DSS) tool to answer the following questions:
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Reservoir model (HEC-ResSim)To simulate & optimize dam operation (water level variations and hydropower
production)
Land use planning & analysis system (LUPAS)To explore cost-effective options of livelihood
activities based on available land and labor resources
GIS modellingTo evaluate accessibility to land resources supporting livelihoods
(spatial analysis and mapping support)
A suite of modeling and simulation tools
Examine the interaction between reservoir operation & livelihood opportunities
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Lowering reservoir water level to allow dry season vegetable growing (eggplant, chili and green vegetable)A1 and A2 lower overall hydropower generation by 3% and 8%, respectively, allowing crop production in limited area. Agricultural gains result in significant loss of power production.
Constructed wetlands for fisheries and small-scale irrigationConnected or adjacent to reservoir. They would- provide benefit to fishermen (full ponds year-round), potentially enhancing fishing
livelihoods,- Provide water irrigation, even during dry years, for vegetable garden closest to village
HEC-ResSim
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Exposure period1 Slope suitability2 Physical access3Seasonally-exposed land analysis
30% 20%50%
Weighted linear combination of factors
Water body
Least
Most suitable
Least
Most suitable
Overall suitability for recession agriculture
Water body
KSK
GIS modelling
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(land-use planning and analysis system)
When fish available, shoreline farming has little effect on net gain,Expected fish decline (eutrophication): need for farm productions diversification,Pilot program (irrigated gardens) allows flexibility in livelihoods and increases net gain,Sharing resources is the most important factor for increasing the overall net gain.
LUPAS
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• Uncertain future/expected fish decline & limited land and water resources→ need for diversification in off-farm activities,
• Important to consider replications of this study in areas with larger affected population
Conclusion