• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.45-61
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• 2015

The river environment in Korea has changed significantly after the completion of the Four Major Rivers Project due to the outdated river management methods and thus, it is necessary to modify the current river management process. A typical example of this management is dredging but it is a method that usually results in socio-environmental side effects. Therefore, in order to minimize the socio-environmental impacts of dredging, Korea is currently applying the Environmental Windows, a management practice currently being used in the United States that eliminates the risk of potentially harmful impacts of dredging. The use of statistical methods was suggested to address the issue of data insufficiency and this methodology was applied in the downstream part of the Gangjeong-Goryeong weir located within the Nakdong river basin. The results show that when performing a month of dredging, the optimal period is March whereas the optimal month to start dredging is August in case of an eight-month dredging project. If Korea's flood season is also considered for an eight-month dredging process, then October is the optimal month to start dredging. Non-structural methods such as the Environmental Windows reduce maintenance costs and also bring only short-term side effects to the environment, as opposed to structural methods such as the development of environmentally-friendly dredging machine. Given that few studies have explored this topic in Korea, the findings and suggestions could serve as basic data in studying river dredging in the future.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2020

Unlike in the past, the world is facing water shortages due to climate change and difficulties in simultaneously managing the risks of flooding. The Four Major Rivers project was carried out with the aim of realizing a powerful nation of water by managing water resources and fostering the water industry, and the construction period was relatively short compared to the unprecedented scale. Therefore, the prediction and analysis of how the river environment changes after the Four Major Rivers Project is insufficient. Currently, part of the construction section of the Four Major Rivers Project is caused by repeated erosion and sedimentation due to the effects of sandification caused by large dredging and flood-time reservoirs, and the head erosion of the tributaries occurs. In order to solve these problems, the riverbed maintenance work was installed, but it resulted in erosion of both sides of the river and the development of new approaches and techniques to keep the river bed stable, such as erosion and excessive sedimentation, is required. The water agent plays a role of securing a certain depth of water for the main stream by concentrating the flow so much in the center and preventing levee erosion by controlling the flow direction and flow velocity. In addition, Groyne products provide various ecological environments by forming a natural form of riverbeds by inducing local erosion and deposition in addition to the protection functions of the river bank and embankment. Therefore, after reviewing the method of determining the shape of the Groyne structure currently in use by utilizing the mobile limit flow rate and marginal reflux force, a new Critical Movement Velocity(${\bar{U}}_d$) and a new resistance coefficient formula considering the mathematical factors applicable to the actual domestic stream were developed and the measures applicable to Groyne installation were proposed.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.947-956
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• 2013

In this study, WUA (Weighted Usable Area) was calculated to determine ecological flow at the confluence of Nakdong River and Gumho River by using River2D. To calibrate River2D, simulation results of River2D were compared with calibrated HEC-RAS simulation results and the optimum parameters were determined. After parameter calibration, WUA of Zacco platypus and Zacco temmincki which are dominant species in Nakdong River was calculated with changing upstream flowrate. From the result, WUA is changed according to flowrate and growth stage. In the flowrate-WUA/A graph, ecological flow can be determined as $33.3m^3/s{\sim}39.96m^3/s$ in Nakdong River and $3.6m^3/s{\sim}4.32m^3/s$ in Gumho River. After dredging for Four major rivers restoration project, WUA of Zacco platypus and Zacco temmincki were calculated by using the ecological flow. The results show that WUA after dredging are decreased when compared with undredged condition. WUA of Common carp is 2~3 times bigger than WUA of Zacco platypus and Zacco temmincki at the dredged condition in Nakdong River.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.449-459
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• 2017

In Geum River of Korea, three multi-purpose weirs were built at the downstream of Daecheong Reservoir during the Four Major River Restoration Project (FMRRP). The weirs have altered the hydraulic characteristics of the river, and consequently transformed the large areas of flowing ecosystem to deep and wide stagnant environment. In every summer, a thermal stratification occurred near the Baekje Weir having mean depth of 4.0 m, and the surface algal blooms dominated by buoyant cyanobacteria have been frequently formed after the FMRRP. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between flow velocity and thermal stability of the waterbody using a three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic model (EFDC+) after calibration against the thermistor chain data obtained in 2014. A new Sigma-Zed vertical grid system of EFDC+ that minimize the pressure gradient errors was used to better simulate the thermodynamics of the waterbody. The model reasonably simulated the vertical profiles of the observed water temperatures. The vertical mean flow velocity and the Richardson Number (Ri) that represents the stability of waterbody were estimated for various management water levels and flow rates scenarios. The results indicated that the thermal stability of the waterbody is mostly high ($Ri{\gg}0.25$) enough to establish stratification, and largely depend on the flow velocity. The critical flow velocity that can avoid a persistent thermal stratification was found to be approximately 0.1 m/s.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.731-741
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• 2015

The objectives of study were to evaluate fish species compositions of trophic guilds and tolerance guilds and apply ecological fish assessment (EFA) models to Bekjae Weir, Keum-River Watershed. The EFA models were Stream Index of Biological Integrity (SIBI) used frequently for running water and Lentic Ecosystem Health Assessment (LEHA) used for assessments of stagnant water. The region of Bekjae Weir as a "four major river project" was originally a lotic ecosystem before the weir construction (2010, $B_{WC}$) but became more like lentic-lotic hybrid system after the construction (2011, $A_{WC}$). In the analysis of species composition and ecological bioindicator (fish), fish species with a preference of running water showed significant decreases (p < 0.05), whereas the species with a preference of stagnant water showed significant increases (p < 0.05). After the weir construction, relative abundances of tolerant species increased, and the proportion of insectivores decreased. This phenomenon indicated the changes of biotic compositions in the system by the weir construction. Applications of SIBI and LEHA models to the system showed that the two model values decreased at the same time after the weir construction ($A_{WC}$), and the region became more like lentic-lotic hybrid system, indicating the degradation of ecosystem health. The model values of SIBI were 19 and 16, respectively, in the BWC and AWC, and the health conditions were both "C-rank". In the mean time, the LEHA model analysis showed that the values was 28 in the BWC and 24 in the AWC, thus the health was turned to be "B-Rank" in the BWC and "C-Rank" in the AWC. indicating a degradation of ecological heath after the weir construction.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.264-272
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• 2015

Understanding bird status is essential for the systematic and sustainable management of the Nakdong River Estuary, taking into consideration the relationship between ecosystems and the bird species. In this study, bird status in the Nakdong River Estuary Bird Sanctuary prior to the Four Major Rivers Project was analyzed using the bird monitoring data (2003-2011) from surveys conducted by the Busan Development Institute. The high percentage of winter visitors in terms of both species diversity (38.36%) and individual bird numbers (63.14%) suggest that the Nakdong River Estuary is an important wintering site for migratory birds. Cumulative numbers of individual birds were higher in Myungji (208,601), West Nakdong River (202,444), Eulsukdo (153,232), and Baekhap Doyodeung (150,595). The total numbers of migratory species were higher in Eulsukdo (171), Ilungdo (124), Myungji (132), and Samrak (121). Among the 232 species found in the Nakdong River Estuary, Anas platyrhynchos (17.71%) was the most common species, followed by Anas poecilorhyncha (8.85%), Larus crassirostris (6.48%), Anser fabalis (6.09%), Anas penelope (5.16%), and Calidris alpina (4.22%). Most bird taxa, except shelducks, showed annual fluctuations in individual numbers, with increasing frequency during survey periods. Of these, cormorants, swans, and gulls showed higher fluctuations than other taxa. Swans decreased drastically in numbers in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 compared to previous years. Shore birds, gulls, wagtails, and other forest birds were also less common in 2010-2011. These results suggest that there were some environmental changes that might have affected the birds in the Nakdong River Estuary. Overall, the results suggest that habitat types affect the distribution of dominant species.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.1273-1284
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• 2018

The flow and bed change were analyzed using the CCHE2D model, which is a two-dimensional numerical model, at a confluence of the Namhan River and Seom River where deposition occurs predominantly after the "Four Major Rivers Restoration Project." The characteristic of the junction is that the tributary of Seom River joined into the curved channel of the main reach of the Namhan River. The CCHE2D model analyzes the non-equilibrium sediment transport, and the adaptation lengths for the bed load and suspended load are important variables in the model. At the target area, the adaptation length for the bed load showed the greatest influence on the river bed change. Numerical simulation results demonstrated that the discharge ratio ($Q_r$) change affected the flow and bed change in the Namhan River and Seom river junction. When $Q_r{\leq}2.5$, the flow velocity of the main reach increased before confluence, thereby reducing the flow separation zone and decreasing the deposition inside the junction. When $Q_r$>2.5, there was a high possibility that deposition would be increased, thereby forming sand bar. Numerical simulation showed that a fixed sand bar has been formed at the junction due to the change of discharge ratio, which occurred in 2013.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.3B
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• pp.185-192
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• 2012

Drought vulnerability index was developed by selecting drought-related indicators with trend test. Study areas were determined by considering the weir locations from the four major rivers restoration project in Nakdong and Geum river watersheds. Ten indicators were selected and they were categorized into three groups, water resources, precipitation pattern, and social aspects. Annual average surface water level, annual minimum surface water level, annual average groundwater level, and annual minimum groundwater level data sets were collected for water resources aspects. The number of non-rainy days, rainfall concentration ratio, and rainfall deviation were considered for precipitation pattern category. The amount of water available per capita, financial soundness for water resources, and water usage equity were related to social aspects. Mann-Kendall, Hotelling-Pabst, and Sen trend tests were performed for the ten indicator data sets and the results were scored for the drought vulnerability index. The results shows Gumi, Sangjoo, and Hapcheon weirs are relatively vulnerable to drought. The indices were relatively low for the regions in Geum river watershed compared to those in Nakdong river watershed.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.183-199
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• 2015

Due to the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, Nakdong River Estuary Barrage's designed flood quantity has been largely increased, and this has caused to construct several drainage gates at the right side of Eulsukdo island to secure the safety of downstream river area. For successful functioning of Nakdong River Estuary Barrage, such as flood control, disaster prevention, and the securing of sufficient water capacity, drainage gates at the both sides of island have to operate systematically and reliably. To manage this under restricted personnel and resources, we have implemented the IOS (Integrated Operation System) by integrating previous facilities and resources via information and communication technologies. The IOS has been designed to have higher availability and fault tolerance to function continuously even with the partial system's failure under the emergency situation like flood. Operators can use the system easily and acknowledge alarms of facilities through its IWS (Integrated Warning System) earlier. Preparing for Integrated Water Resources Management and Smart Water Grid, the architecture of IOS conformed to open system standards which will be helpful to link with the other systems easily.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 2018

PURPOSES : This study aims to survey and analyze the status of the design and completion documents output delivery system in public construction projects in order to assess the problems of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT)'s electronic delivery system, with a focus on roads and rivers, and to offer improvement measures. METHODS : This study first surveys and analyzes laws and existing study trends with regard to the design and completion documents output delivery system in public construction projects. It further analyzes the status of the output delivery system in public construction projects, including roads, rivers, expressways, water resources, and railroads. In addition, a comparative analysis of the current electronic delivery system of MOLIT and Korea Expressway Corporation in the road field is conducted, and the problems and improvement measures for MOLIT's electronic output delivery system are presented. This study seeks to analyze problems and prepare improvement measures with regard to road and river public construction projects, as ordered by MOLIT's five regional offices. RESULTS : This study sought to prepare the electronic output delivery system with regard to public construction projects and present the analysis of its major problems and improvement measures in four categories: "the preparation of electronic design documents output delivery system improvement measures including inspection and delivery," "preparation of guidelines, systems, etc., concerning electronic design documents," "preparation of improvement measures for the construction project management system and electronic design document support tools", and "linking of MOLIT's electronic output delivery system with relevant agencies and the expansion thereof to local governments." CONCLUSIONS : This study analyzed the current status and problems of the MOLIT's electronic output delivery system in the field of road and river construction projects, and presented corresponding improvement measures. This study is expected to address the problems of the MOLIT's electronic output delivery system, and to provide the foundation for the preparation of an efficient electronic output delivery system for design and completion documents. In addition, this study is expected to boost the quality and utilization of the electronic design documents output, and to exchange, share, and link construction information among relevant agencies so as to prepare the foundation for sharing construction information.