Integrated Drainage Basin Management (DP IB Geography)

Revision Note

Integrated Drainage Basin Management

  • According to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory Committee 2000

Integrated river basin management (IRBM) is the process of coordinating conservation, management and development of water, land and related resources across sectors within a given river basin, to maximise the economic and social benefits derived from water resources in an equitable manner while preserving and, where necessary, restoring freshwater ecosystems.” 

  • Components of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) include:

    • Water quality

    • Water supply

    • Flood control

    • River channels

  • Successful drainage basin management works with the river compared to working against the river

  • There are seven key elements to successful IDBM:

    • Integration

    • Timing

    • Participation

    • Scale

    • Knowledge

    • Capacity

  • According to the WWF, there is a need for IDBM due to:

    • The freshwater crisis the world is facing

    • The melting of glaciers in Pakistan and India

      • This is increasing discharge in rivers

    • An increase Glacial outburst floods, caused by failures of dams containing a glacial lake

    • Increased land use due to urban development

    • The increasing use of water for agriculture

    • Approximately 12% of all animals live in freshwater and will be affected by reduced or polluted water

Costs and benefits of IDBM

Costs

Benefits

Difficulties in involving all the stakeholders who have differing priorities and views

Projects are costly

Accurate data is difficult to obtain

Transboundary issues can be difficult to resolve 

Helps to preserve biodiversity and maintain the ecosystem

Ensures sustainable water use

Minimises the risks and impacts of flooding

Provides a reliable water supply

Case Study: Amur Drainage Basin

The Amur basin

  • WWF recently launched a project which targets the Amur River in China

Map showing the Amur River basin, flowing through Russia, Mongolia, and China into the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan. Facts: serves 75 million people, one of the longest national border rivers, 11th largest river basin.
Amur River Integrated Drainage Basin Management
  • Over 93% of the population in the Amur basin lives on 43% of the land in northeastern China

  • Increasingly, the river has been used for hydroelectric power, with dams being built along the river

  • In 2019, there were over 100 dams in the Amur Basin

  • The basin is home to diverse ecosystems, such as the snow sheep and Siberian tiger

  • Environmental threats exist because of rapid population and economic growth due to more people needing to use river basins for water supplies and for governments to use the river basin to support the people

  • Most rivers of the basin are usually frozen from October to April

  • There are alternating dry and wet periods in the basin, which can last up to 40 years, which means that the basin is either more affected by possible flooding or droughts

  • The problems of the water basin expand into Japan because the ecosystems supply nutrients to the Sea of Japan

Floods in the Amur Basin 

  • A catastrophic flood took place in the basin in 2013

  • The flood led to:

    • Eighty-five deaths

    • Over 100 missing people

    • More than 860,000 people were displaced from their homes

    • Property damage totalled $2.6 billion

    • More than 120,000 people, including 10,000 soldiers, helped with relief and rescue efforts in the Chinese section of the river basin

    • More than 30,000 volunteers helped distribute 53 tons of food and supplies to flood victims in the Russian section of the basin

Integrated Drainage Basin Management 

  • Long-term goals for the river basin:

    • Reduce logging in the area to reduce flooding

    • Try to limit overfishing of sturgeon

    • Improve existing international agreements between Russia and China

    • Sharing of data across international boundaries about the river basin

    • Existing areas of protected networks to be regularly assessed

    • Increase wetlands in the area

    • Prevent future dams from being built

    • Improve military security issues in the area

Integrated Management of the Amur Drainage Basin

Management factors

Examples in the Amur Drainage Basin

International Cooperation 

Countries like Russia, China, and Mongolia have engaged in the "Trilateral Meetings" since 1991, promoting dialogue and cooperation

Treaties and Agreements

The 2008 "Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Water and Aquatic Ecosystems" outlines principles for equitable resource use, preventing disputes

Scientific Collaboration

The "Amur-Heilong River Basin Information Network" supports data exchange, joint research and informed decision-making

Environmental Considerations

Shared initiatives like the "Amur-Heilong River Basin Wetlands Conservation Project" show a commitment to environmental preservation

Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

The "Amur-Heilong River Basin Mechanism for Cooperation and Communication" establishes ways of addressing disputes and maintaining open communication channels

Conflicts caused by Integrated Drainage Basin Management Plans

  • Integrated Drainage Basin Management Plans (IDBMPs) can cause conflicts between different groups of people:

    • Reports suggest that indigenous communities were not consulted in the dam production at Evenkiiskaya 

      • This led to the construction of the dam being stalled

      • There is conflict when local people believe their land is being taken away from them in the form of ‘land grabbing’ for dam building, such as at  Evenkiiskaya

    • The flow regimes of the Zeya and Bureya rivers have changed significantly 

      • This change  resulted in the alteration of the natural floodplain ecosystems of both rivers 

    • There have been suggestions that governments do not listen to Non-governmental organisations such as WWF-Russia 

      • The WWF-Russia has carried out impact assessments on the Amur River Basin

    • Both China and Russia have different legislation about how to manage the Amur River Basin 

      • This is not a constructive way of utilising IDBMPs

    • There might be unclear responsibilities of interested government agencies

      • Departments that measure water quality might clash with urban and rural planners

    • IDBMPs are not usually legally binding which means companies and governments can disregard the plans

    • Governments may disregard the IDBMPs because of the need to use the rivers for economic growth

Last updated:

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Briley Habib

Author: Briley Habib

Expertise: Geography Content Creator

Briley is an experienced Head of Geography. With more than 16 years of teaching experience, Briley was awarded a PGCE from the University of Lancaster and has a degree in European Studies and Human Geography. Briley has worked in a range of schools around the world and has experience of teaching at all levels. Briley is a member of the Geographical Association’s special interest group on diversity and inclusion. She has also written articles for the Teaching Geography Journal, a book chapter on Place-Based Education and a report on Decolonising IB Geography.

Bridgette Barrett

Author: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.