Surface and groundwater drought evaluation with respect to aquatic habitat quality applied in Torysa river catchment, Slovakia

Natural conditions of drought occurrence are often combined with human activities strengthening drought consequences. Occurrence of meteorological, surface and groundwater droughts was analysed for the upper part of the Torysa river catchment. The influence of water abstraction was evaluated. Habitat suitability curves derived according to IFIM methodology were constructed for Barbus carpathicus. Minimum flow, bellow which unfavourable life conditions for barbel occur, was estimated on 0.300 m3 s−1. The longest period of drought with the discharge below the minimum flow occurred during the multiyear drought 1986–1987. The problem of minimum flow preservation should be solved in the upstream part of the catchment, where natural streamflows are strongly influenced by water abstraction. Such an approach is fully compatible with the requirements of the integrated water resources management strategy.