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4.1.2.      Pressures

Typical hydromorphological pressures that arise in response to the uses (drivers) are the need for impoundment, channel modification, navigation structures etc. and result in specific engineering works such as dams, locks and embankments which change the characteristics of the natural flow regime and the shape of the river channel such as water depth, width, alignment, flow velocity and sediment transport. Examples of relationship between activities and hydromorphological pressures are

• Structures such as dams, weirs and sluices interrupt the longitudinal continuity of rivers.
• The use of water resources e.g. for energy production or abstraction for human uses can impact both the hydrology (e.g. reduced residual water, change in seasonality and hydropeaking) and morphology of rivers (e.g. longitudinal continuum interruption, reduced flow velocities, etc.).
• The disconnection of riverine floodplains and disturbance of the natural lateral connectivity of river systems can frequently result in a decrease of status.
• Navigation activities and navigation infrastructure such as cross profile constructions and impoundments; canalisation; straightening; bank reinforcement and deepening are typically associated with a range of hydro-morphological changes with potential adverse ecological consequences.
• Further, the morphology of rivers has been impacted by the channelisation of river stretches for human uses, erosion of the river bottom as a consequence of reduced sediment transport (due do dams) or dredging for navigation.
• Constructions performed as flood protection measures (lateral dykes, weirs, etc.) also impact the morphology of riverine systems.