WELCOME to the European NWRM platform

The EU Directorate General Environment promotes the use of nature-based green infrastructure solutions (official website) and this is progressively included in a range of policies of which for water. A range of activities and related relevant information portals are also available on climate change (Climate Adapt), on biodiversity (BISE), on forest (FISE).

As detailed on DG Environment official webpage, "Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) support Green Infrastructure by contributing to integrated goals dealing with nature and biodiversity conservation and restoration, landscaping, etc."

The current platform gathers information on NWRM at EU level. NWRM are green infrastructures applied to the water sector, which permit to achieve and maintain healthy water ecosystems, and offer multiple benefits.
From this page you can find out more about NWRM definition, browse NWRM related concepts, look for individual NWRMs or select them by benefits, access the practical guide that will help you find your way to implement NWRM, or directly access the different products: synthesis documents, catalogue of measures, catalogue of case studies. For easy navigation, please consult the user's guide. If ,you would like to have an overview on what this website could bring you, you can Access all main documents and datasets

You can also join us on LinkedIn and access the NWRM community of practice gathered on our discussion forum, and you can submit a case study...

NEW: Access new French case studies

 

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Morphological restoration of temporary watercourses in the National Forest of Chaux

Photo gallery
After restoration, F Sassard
Summary
The Chaux forest is a silvicultural production area and is covered by a large number of small streams, originally winding and of small size. In 2008, the LIFE program "Ruisseaux de têtes de bassins et faune patrimoniale associée" ([Pond head creeks and associated heritage fauna]) carried out restoration work at the head of the catchment area on part of the small ditches of the Chaux national forest. Based on the experience and results obtained, the National forest office (ONF) proposed a new project to restore 45 km of watercourses in three 15-km sections (2015, 2017 and 2018) with the objective of significantly restoring the hydraulic functioning of the Clauge and improving the conservation status of the species covered by the Habitats Directive. Indeed, all the temporary tributaries of the Clauge were transformed in the 1960s into deep straight ditches via canalization works.
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DEFINITION

Natural Water Retention Measures are multi-functional measures that aim to protect water resources and address water-related challenges by restoring or maintaining ecosystems as well as natural features and characteristics of water bodies using natural means and processes. […]

Source: “EU policy document on Natural Water Retention Measures”, WG PoM, 2014)

 

full definition

Case studies

Measures have been implemented in the field.
To see examples of implementation see the catalogue of case studies or click directly on the map below.

Catalogue of case studies

in-depth light

DECISION SUPPORT FOR NWRM IMPLEMENTATION

Information on benefits, costs, effectiveness, financing etc. included in the three following categories:


Partners

Logos of all partners of NWRM project