Influence of Dams on Downstream Beaches: Eressos,Lesbos, Eastern Mediterranean |
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| Authors: | A F Velegrakis M I Vousdoukas O Andreadis G Adamakis E Pasakalidou R Meligonitis |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Marine Sciences, School of Environment , University of the Aegean , Greece afv@aegean.gr;3. Department of Marine Sciences, School of Environment , University of the Aegean , Greece |
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| Abstract: | Small water storage dams are nowadays regarded as the ideal solution for the water-thirsty islands of the Greek Archipelago. Several of these dams have been already constructed and more are planned for the near future. However, dams can also create problems to coastal areas, particularly to the beaches found at the lower reaches of the dammed rivers. The present contribution reports the results of a study undertaken on the effects of such a dam located at Eressos, Lesbos (E. Mediterranean), using both morphological and sedimentological information and a GIS-based sediment erosion model. The results showed that Eressos Beach is currently under erosion, which however is spatially variable. The spatial variability of the beach erosion can only partly be explained by the patterns of longshore sediment transport, suggesting also a negative sedimentary balance. The results of the sediment erosion model showed that the dam retains more than half of the sediment produced in the basin, irrespective of the scenario used. Thus, it is likely that the effects of the dam on the downstream beach are already apparent. |
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| Keywords: | beach erosion beach sediment balance dams drainage basins sediment transport |
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