sei-tnc-usaid-fs-2016-hidroelectrica-depresion-momposina-hr-485e8ad23b98bcfe.pdf

This fact sheet describes the use of an enhanced Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model to analyze the impacts of hydroelectric expansion in Colombia's Magdalena River basin, specifically focusing on the Depresión Momposina wetlands. The study evaluates how current and planned dams affect water flow, sediment transport, and flood risks for local communities and ecosystems.

• The Magdalena River basin is critical for Colombia's energy, providing 70% of the country's hydroelectric power. While 26 large and medium-scale dams currently exist with a capacity of 6.36 GW, there are 30 additional large projects planned that could add 7.64 GW of installed capacity.
• The Depresión Momposina is a tectonic basin covering approximately 32,198 km², representing 11.8% of the total Magdalena basin area. It contains one of the world's largest wetland systems, supporting over 200 native fish species, about half of which are endemic.
• The Degree of Regulation (GDR) in the Magdalena basin is currently estimated at 5% of the average annual runoff volume upstream of the Depresión Momposina. The implementation of 30 planned projects could increase the GDR by 30%, leading to a more constant hydrograph in the main tributaries.
• Hydroelectric dams do not protect communities from extreme flooding events, such as those caused by La Niña. Because dams must release water for safety during maximum flow conditions, increased flow regulation may actually increase the risk for downstream communities.
• Increased hydroelectric regulation is expected to substantially reduce the magnitude of seasonal flows and practically eliminate low and extremely low flows during dry months. These alterations could severely impact ecosystem functions, including fish and bird reproduction and the transport of nutrients and sediments.
• Loss of connectivity caused by flood control structures like dikes and roads can increase maximum downstream flows in the Depresión Momposina. In extremely wet conditions, such as La Niña, this could result in an increase of approximately 900 m³/s (+7.2%), adding 9.4 trillion m³ of water to downstream areas, including Barranquilla.
• The enhanced WEAP model is the first platform capable of successfully modeling the water balance of floodplains at a medium to large scale (approximately 10,000 km²) and linking these dynamics to water management practices.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (n.d.). sei-tnc-usaid-fs-2016-hidroelectrica-depresion-momposina-hr-485e8ad23b98bcfe.pdf. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-TNC-USAID-FS-2016-Hidroelectrica-Depresion-Momposina-HR.pdf

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. sei-tnc-usaid-fs-2016-hidroelectrica-depresion-momposina-hr-485e8ad23b98bcfe.pdf. n.d. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-TNC-USAID-FS-2016-Hidroelectrica-Depresion-Momposina-HR.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=sei-tnc-usaid-fs-2016-hidroelectrica-depresion-momposina-hr-485e8ad23b98bcfe.pdf |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-TNC-USAID-FS-2016-Hidroelectrica-Depresion-Momposina-HR.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitutendseitncusaidfs2016hidroelectricadepresionmomposinahr485e8ad23b98bcfepdf, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{sei-tnc-usaid-fs-2016-hidroelectrica-depresion-momposina-hr-485e8ad23b98bcfe.pdf}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-TNC-USAID-FS-2016-Hidroelectrica-Depresion-Momposina-HR.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }