Eco-hydraulics studies are essential in hydropower projects as they integrate ecological and hydraulic principles to ensure that power generation is balanced with environmental sustainability. These studies help understand how changes in flow regimes, sediment transport, and river morphology caused by hydropower development affect aquatic habitats, fish migration, and riverine ecosystems.

Hydro Lab has provided support in Eco-hydraulic research projects, carried out in collaboration with several institutions. Major Eco-hydraulic works carried out by Hydro Lab are as follows:

• Hydraulic, hydrologic and geomorphological data collection for Upper Trishuli – 1 HPP under the Basin-wide Cumulative Impact Assessment Project (CIA) for the World Bank Group
• Aquatic biodiversity survey at Upper Arun Hydroelectric Project; support to World Bank’s assessment of readiness of Upper Arun Hydroelectric Project and compliance with Environmental and Social Framework (ESF)
• Syllabus design of subject “Fish Passage Engineering”, for MSc in Hydropower/Water Resources Engineering course at the Institute of Engineering (IoE), Tribhuvan University, funded by USAID PAANI Project.
• E-Flow Assessment of Upper Karnali HEP in collaboration with Southern Waters, South Africa
• Updated E-Flow study of Dudhkoshi Storage Hydropower Project for the Asian Development Bank with Southern Waters, South Africa
• World Bank due diligence of E-flow analysis for the Upper Arun Hydroelectric Project in association with Artelia Group, France

“Fish behaviour study for obtaining the proper design of fish passage” is part of Hydro Lab’s planned research.