From 2021–2026, Professor Julian Olden of the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, holds a guest professorship connected to the Vindelälven-Juhtatdahka Biosphere Reserve. The guest professorship is jointly funded by Umeå University and The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU.
Rivers were the arteries for the development of ancient civilizations and modern societies, so it comes as no surprise that dams are now a ubiquitous feature of the global landscape.
Despite providing many societal benefits, however, river regulation by dams has also caused considerable ecological damage and the loss of important ecosystem services valued by society. So how can we make decisions concerning how rivers are harnessed or otherwise used for the benefit of human societies, especially given the inevitably environmental and social conflicts that arise?
Here, we will explore the ideas of designer flows and multi-objective optimization to guide sustainable dam planning and operations with an eye on achieving river conservation and supporting more ecologically sustainable dam practices both today and in the future.
Remote participation will be possible: Link to digital meeting (Starleaf)
Julian Olden, visiting professor with the Biosphere area
Vindelälven-Juhttátahkka project. Professor at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington.