Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging Trends
Leaky dams have become essential nature-based solutions for flood management, providing sustainable alternatives to traditional engineered flood control methods. This review delves into the mechanisms by which leaky dams operate, including the regulation of water flow through velocity reduction and...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Hydrology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/4/91 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849713332811988992 |
|---|---|
| author | Umanda Hansamali Randika K. Makumbura Upaka Rathnayake Hazi Md. Azamathulla Nitin Muttil |
| author_facet | Umanda Hansamali Randika K. Makumbura Upaka Rathnayake Hazi Md. Azamathulla Nitin Muttil |
| author_sort | Umanda Hansamali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Leaky dams have become essential nature-based solutions for flood management, providing sustainable alternatives to traditional engineered flood control methods. This review delves into the mechanisms by which leaky dams operate, including the regulation of water flow through velocity reduction and distribution across floodplains, effective sediment trapping and soil quality enhancement, and the facilitation of groundwater recharge and water table stabilization. These structures not only mitigate peak flood flows and reduce erosion but also contribute to enhanced biodiversity by creating diverse aquatic habitats and maintaining ecological connectivity. The effectiveness of leaky dams is assessed through various performance metrics, demonstrating significant reductions in peak flows, improved sediment management, and increased groundwater levels, which collectively enhance ecosystem resilience and water quality. However, the implementation of leaky dams presents several technical challenges, such as design complexity, hydrological variability, maintenance requirements, and socio-economic factors like land use conflicts and economic viability. Additionally, while leaky dams offer numerous environmental benefits, potential negative impacts include habitat disruption, sediment accumulation, and alterations in water quality, which necessitate careful planning and adaptive management strategies. Emerging trends in leaky dam development focus on the integration of smart technologies, such as real-time monitoring systems and artificial intelligence, to optimize performance and resilience against climate-induced extreme weather events. Advances in modeling and monitoring technologies are facilitating the effective design and implementation of leaky dam networks, promoting their incorporation into comprehensive watershed management frameworks. This review highlights the significant potential of leaky dams as integral components of sustainable flood management systems, advocating for their broader adoption alongside conventional engineering solutions to achieve resilient and ecologically balanced water management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fa1d927f365f4b7fa3fdadbd066c4317 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2306-5338 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hydrology |
| spelling | doaj-art-fa1d927f365f4b7fa3fdadbd066c43172025-08-20T03:13:58ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382025-04-011249110.3390/hydrology12040091Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging TrendsUmanda Hansamali0Randika K. Makumbura1Upaka Rathnayake2Hazi Md. Azamathulla3Nitin Muttil4Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Colombo 10250, Sri LankaDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa 10400, Sri LankaDepartment of Civil Engineering and Construction, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, IrelandDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Faculty of Engineering, The University of West Indies, St. Augustine 32080, Trinidad and TobagoInstitute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, AustraliaLeaky dams have become essential nature-based solutions for flood management, providing sustainable alternatives to traditional engineered flood control methods. This review delves into the mechanisms by which leaky dams operate, including the regulation of water flow through velocity reduction and distribution across floodplains, effective sediment trapping and soil quality enhancement, and the facilitation of groundwater recharge and water table stabilization. These structures not only mitigate peak flood flows and reduce erosion but also contribute to enhanced biodiversity by creating diverse aquatic habitats and maintaining ecological connectivity. The effectiveness of leaky dams is assessed through various performance metrics, demonstrating significant reductions in peak flows, improved sediment management, and increased groundwater levels, which collectively enhance ecosystem resilience and water quality. However, the implementation of leaky dams presents several technical challenges, such as design complexity, hydrological variability, maintenance requirements, and socio-economic factors like land use conflicts and economic viability. Additionally, while leaky dams offer numerous environmental benefits, potential negative impacts include habitat disruption, sediment accumulation, and alterations in water quality, which necessitate careful planning and adaptive management strategies. Emerging trends in leaky dam development focus on the integration of smart technologies, such as real-time monitoring systems and artificial intelligence, to optimize performance and resilience against climate-induced extreme weather events. Advances in modeling and monitoring technologies are facilitating the effective design and implementation of leaky dam networks, promoting their incorporation into comprehensive watershed management frameworks. This review highlights the significant potential of leaky dams as integral components of sustainable flood management systems, advocating for their broader adoption alongside conventional engineering solutions to achieve resilient and ecologically balanced water management.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/4/91flood managementgroundwater rechargeleaky damsnature-based solutionssediment trapping |
| spellingShingle | Umanda Hansamali Randika K. Makumbura Upaka Rathnayake Hazi Md. Azamathulla Nitin Muttil Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging Trends Hydrology flood management groundwater recharge leaky dams nature-based solutions sediment trapping |
| title | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging Trends |
| title_full | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging Trends |
| title_fullStr | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging Trends |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging Trends |
| title_short | Leaky Dams as Nature-Based Solutions in Flood Management Part II: Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Environmental Impacts, Technical Challenges, and Emerging Trends |
| title_sort | leaky dams as nature based solutions in flood management part ii mechanisms effectiveness environmental impacts technical challenges and emerging trends |
| topic | flood management groundwater recharge leaky dams nature-based solutions sediment trapping |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/12/4/91 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT umandahansamali leakydamsasnaturebasedsolutionsinfloodmanagementpartiimechanismseffectivenessenvironmentalimpactstechnicalchallengesandemergingtrends AT randikakmakumbura leakydamsasnaturebasedsolutionsinfloodmanagementpartiimechanismseffectivenessenvironmentalimpactstechnicalchallengesandemergingtrends AT upakarathnayake leakydamsasnaturebasedsolutionsinfloodmanagementpartiimechanismseffectivenessenvironmentalimpactstechnicalchallengesandemergingtrends AT hazimdazamathulla leakydamsasnaturebasedsolutionsinfloodmanagementpartiimechanismseffectivenessenvironmentalimpactstechnicalchallengesandemergingtrends AT nitinmuttil leakydamsasnaturebasedsolutionsinfloodmanagementpartiimechanismseffectivenessenvironmentalimpactstechnicalchallengesandemergingtrends |