Evaluation of fish habitat suitability based on stream hydrodynamics and water quality using SWAT and HEC-RAS linked simulation

The objective of this study was to evaluate fish habitat suitability by simulating hydrodynamic and water quality factors using SWAT and HEC-RAS linked simulation considering time-series analysis. A 2.9 km reach of the Bokha stream was selected for the habitat evaluation of Zacco platypus, with hydrodynamic and water quality simulations performed using the SWAT and HEC-RAS linked approach. Based on simulated 10-year data, the aquatic habitat was assessed using the weighted usable area (WUA), and minimum ecological streamflow was proposed from continuous above threshold (CAT) analysis. High water temperature was identified as the most influential habitat indicator, with its impact being particularly pronounced in shallow streamflow areas during hot summer seasons. The time-series analysis identified a 28% threshold of WUA/WUA_max, equivalent to a streamflow of 0.48 m³/s, as the minimum ecological streamflow necessary to mitigate the impact of rising water temperatures. The proposed habitat modeling method, linking watershed-stream models, could serve as a useful tool for ecological stream management.