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In our critical attempts to solve the pressing current problems of a limited water supply, it is essential that we act always with a global view to the future. Recognizing this, an international group of scholars—from the Soviet Union, Canada, Africa, and the United States—met to review together their experiences and research on the environmental effects of a number of large scale river management programs. This edited collection of their reports provides a balanced view of a vital element in the total ecosystem. Their analysis points out the urgent need to take account of long-term trends in climate, to consider all feasible management alternatives, and, especially, to manage demand (as opposed to simply increasing water supply) and to defer irreversible action until all environmental impacts are estimated.

This book describes the domain of research and investigation of physical, chemical and biological attributes of flowing water, and it deals with a cross-disciplinary field of study combining physical, geophysical, hydraulic, technological, environmental interests. It aims to equip engineers, geophysicists, managers working in water-related arenas as well as advanced students and researchers with the most up to date information available on the state of knowledge about rivers, particularly their physical, fluvial and environmental processes. Information from various but also interrelated areas available in one volume is the main benefit for potential readers. All chapters are prepared by leading experts from the leading research laboratories from all over the world.