Abstract: The Durance River is a highly regulated, gravel-bed river with a naturally high fine sediment load in southern France. EDF operates eight dams along the regulated main stream channel (218 km from the Serre-Ponçon Dam to the confluence with the Rhône River), that divert water to 16 hydroelectric power plants via a canal. Flow regulation has contributed to fine sediment accumulation (clogging) in the Durance River. In addition to a recent increase in minimum flows has implemented targeted water releases at four out of eight dams to simulate flo...
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