Environmental Flows Assessment and Management for ADB-Finaced Projects

This note focuses on the quantity, timing, and quality of water, sediment, and biota flows needed to sustain healthy rivers, wetlands, and the communities that depend on them. It explains how to consider these environmental flows in project planning, design, and monitoring. Environmental flows (or EFlows) help protect ecosystem services, biodiversity, and livelihoods while supporting sustainable development. An Eflows assessment is required for projects that may impact hydrology, hydraulics, sediment transport, water quality, or aquatic species connectivity, including dams, barrages, irrigation schemes, flood control structures, and urban developments. This note outlines step-by-step approaches for integrating EFlows into project planning, design, and monitoring; highlights assessment methods; emphasizes adaptive management; and shares case studies and best practices.