Critical evaluation of the hydrological, biological and sociological impacts of the implementation of flood control check dams in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Check dams, installed to control sediment and flood risk along streams, can significantly influence the hydrology and ecology of aquatic ecosystems. Few studies assessing its impacts have been done in some countries, however, such has not been the case in the Philippines. Implementation of check dam projects in the Philippines has not been paired with monitoring and evaluation strategies to determine their success or impacts in relation to their objective to manage sediment and flow. This study focused on assessing check dams impacts on hydrology, biology, and stakeholders reflection on check dam purpose and success in Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL), Philippines. To explore the balance in socioeconomic and ecological sustainability of check dam installation, interviews with stakeholders revealed a wide range of perceptions around the project’s success and potential impacts. The findings revealed a clear need for the enhancement of the enabling environment (i.e. data baselining and implementation of management strategies) and institutional arrangements (i.e. coordinated management action). There is also an urgent need for the development of management instruments (i.e. monitoring and evaluation programme and communication and awareness strategy) to improve stakeholders’ understanding of the project’s objectives and outcomes and to improve sustainable management throughout UMRBPL.

KEYWORDS:

• Check dam
• integrated water management
• protected area management
• river basin

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals and institutions who supported and made this research a success: To Ms. Aida C. Ramos and the Upper Marikina Project Management Office staff for their field assistance and providing data necessary for this research; To the members of the UMRBPL Protected Area Management Board for the participation in the stakeholders interview; To Ms. Marites V. Agayatin, Ms. Nilda S. Baling and other staff of the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau, for providing technical support and assistance; To the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau; and To the International River Foundation, International Water Centre and Thiess Family.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the International Water Centre-Ken Thiess Memorial Scholarship by the International River Foundation.