Simulation of Change in Physical Habitat of Fish Using the Mobile Bed Model in a Downstream River of Dam

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the morphological change on a physical fish habitat in the downstream reach of a dam using long-term mobile bed simulation. The quasi-steady model was used for hydraulic simulation and the habitat suitability index model was applied for physical habitat simulation. For simulating long-term morphological change of the stream bed, The Exner equation was used. Sorting of bed material was also considered. The results of simulation showed that erosion and armoring process occurred in a reach downstream of the dam and change of physical habitat for Zacco platypus followed. These results indicate that channel morphology and substrate conditions effected the physical habitat for considering long-term investigation.