Urbanisation Impact on Streams and Rivers

Subject:	Environment
Pages:	1
Words:	250
Reading time:	< 1 min

Hydrological impacts due to urbanization have compromised water quality, such as sedimentation, habitat changes, loss of fish, and increased temperatures. Most hydrological impacts are caused by runoff volumes and velocities of trying to urbanize cities, causing major strain to the water streams. Hydrologic impacts on water streams due to increased impervious include activities such as the construction of dams, parking lots, rooftops, and roads.

Increased Imperviousness leads to	Resulting Impacts	Resulting Impacts	Resulting Impacts	Resulting Impacts	–
–	Flooding	Habitat loss (inadequate substrate, loss of riparian areas, etc)	Erosion	Channel widening	Streambed alteration
Increased volume	*	*	*	*	*
Increased peak flow	*	*	*	*	*
Increased peak flow duration	*	*	*	*	*
Increased stream temperature		*
Decreased base flow		*
Changes in sediment loadings	*	*	*	*	*

Urbanization and increased watershed have had intense hydrologic impacts on water streams by affecting their natural course compromising the quality of water. These problems are also attributed to heavy reliance on engineered approaches and runoff management, such as the construction of pavement channels, stormwater pipes, and bank stabilization.