Assessment of ecological status of Damsa Dam (Nevşehir, Türkiye) using trophic classification indexes, geospatial and statistical techniques

In this study, the water quality and trophic status of Damsa reservoir were evaluated using spatial and multivariate statistical analysis. When the thematic spatial distribution maps created for each parameter were analysed, it was determined that the water quality of Damsa Dam was class I water (very good) in terms of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen and class III water (moderate) in terms of total N concentration. In the study, the changes on eutrophic status were analysed by global index categorisations and it was determined that Carlson trophic status index was CTSI=66.6, Burns trophic level index was BTLI=6.2 and Shu trophic status index was STSI=64.7. The results showed that Damsa Reservoir can reach the limits of ‘eutrophic’ according to CTSI classification scale, ‘eutrophic’ according to STSI classification scale and ‘hypereutrophic’ according to TLI classification scale. For this reason, the water quality of Damsa reservoir should be monitored continuously in certain periods and necessary interventions should be made in case of pollution.