resources Article Influence of Hydrologic Alteration on Sediment, Dissolved Load and Nutrient Downstream Transfer Continuity in a River: Example Lower Brda River Cascade Dams (Poland) Dawid Szatten * , Michał Habel and Zygmunt Babi ´nski Institute of Geography, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
[email protected] (M.H.);
[email protected] (Z.B.) * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +48-52-349-62-50 Abstract: Hydrologic alternation of river systems is an essential factor of human activity. Cascade- dammed waters are characterized by the disturbed outflow of material from the catchment. Changes in sediment, dissolved load and nutrient balance are among the base indicators of water resource monitoring. This research was based on the use of hydrological and water quality data (1984–2017) and the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) method to determine the influence of river regime changes on downstream transfer continuity of sediments and nutrients in the example of the Lower Brda river cascade dams (Poland). Two types of regimes were used: hydropeaking (1984–2000) and run–of–river (2001–2017). Using the IHA method and water quality data, a qualitative and quantitative relationship were demonstrated between changes of regime operation and sediment and nutrient balance. The use of sites above and below the cascade made it possible to determine Citation: Szatten, D.; Habel, M.; sediment, dissolved load, and nutrient trapping and removing processes. Studies have shown that Babi´nski,Z. Influence of Hydrologic Alteration on Sediment, Dissolved changes in operation regime influenced the supply chain and continuity of sediment and nutrient Load and Nutrient Downstream transport in cascade-dammed rivers.