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 Table 12 below lists the principal pressures that are adversely affecting water flows and levels in Scottish rivers and lochs. There was not identified any significant impacts on water flows in estuary and coastal water bodies. There are two main types of pressure on water flows and levels; impoundment of rivers by damming to create a water storage reservoir; and direct abstraction without impoundment.

The main activities for which reservoirs have been created are drinking water supply and hydropower generation. Water flows and levels in the reservoirs and in the rivers immediately downstream of the reservoir dams are altered by the impoundment of the water in the reservoir and its subsequent abstraction. Reservoirs used for hydropower generation are concentrated in the uplands of the central and northern parts of the Scotland RBD. Those for drinking water supply are typically found nearer to the larger towns and cities towards the south of the Scotland RBD.

 The main direct abstractions without impoundment are for irrigating crops or providing drinking water. The impacts of these activities are concentrated along the east and north-east coasts. Direct abstractions are also used for drinks production and fish farming.