Evolution of the physico-chemical water quality in the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir and downstream rivers for the first 5 years after impoundment

The physical (temperature, conductivity and turbidity) and chemical water quality (O 2 , pH, conductivity, nutrients, major anions and cations) characteristics have been monitored in the Nam Theun 2 system (hydroelectric reservoir and rivers downstream) for the first 5 years after impoundment. The results emphasize that the impoundment of the reservoir induced a substantial modification of the water quality in the whole aquatic system which is partially controlled by the hydrodynamics in the reservoir. During the warm seasons, the reservoir water column is thermally stratified with a warm oxic epilimnion and a colder anoxic hypolimnion. During the cold dry season or during floods, the reservoir water column over-turns which enhances oxygen penetration down to the bottom waters and contributes to a global improvement of the water quality. Downstream of the reservoir, the oxygen level was always above the minimum requirement for aquatic life due to the specific design of the water intakes at the Nakai Dam and upstream of the Power House which both favour the withdrawal of a large proportion of oxygenated epilimnic waters. Over the five years, the water quality in the reservoir itself globally improved. However, the diversion of the Nam Theun River into the Xe Bang Fai watershed via the reservoir has impacted the Xe Bang Fai River in terms of temperature, conductivity and total suspended solids.