Upstream and Downstream Changes in the Channel Width and Sinuosity Due to Dam Construction in Tropical Rivers: The Case of Colombia

In Colombia, most of the energy is produced by using water resources. However, morphological impact damming has not been thoroughly studied yet. Therefore, upstream and downstream changes in channel width sinuosity along river due to Betania, Prado, Salvajina, Urrá I Dams, four oldest hydroelectric projects, were estimated. These reported aerial photographs satellite images compare before after dam construction. The analysis was complemented including hydrological trends geological characteristics areas evaluate their relevance on impacts morphology. It shown that factors such as valley confinement bank’s composition are key determining magnitude dam. Upstream dam, contrastingly, influence reservoir geometry controls changes, marking boundaries affected areas. construction morphology vary notably, but reach can be useful improve predictions response. proposed methodology used identify biotic compensation measures for new a task well defined several countries.