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Dyke relocationon the riverElbenearLenzen,Germany:
aproject addressingmultiplebenefitsofNWRM
InGermany, adykealong theRiverElbewasrelocated toreconnect420hafloodplainretention
areawith diverse habitats. The idea for the scheme initiatedwith a local farmer, who realized
thepotential to link local ecologically-friendlyeconomicactivitieswithregional development in
the Elbe floodplain. Supported by the local biosphere reserve administration discussions with
scientists, administrations and regional andnational agencieswere launched, and the ideawas
later implementedwithin thereconstructionof thefloodprotectiondykenearLenzen.Thus the
dualaimsofecological improvementsandfloodprotectionwere integrated ina federalandstate
funded nature conservation project. This meant that the scheme development had the dual
aimsof ecological improvementsandfloodprotectionat the forefront ofplanning.
Considerable
research
was carried out prior to implementation, and the scheme was investigated from
many different angles including recreation of near-natural
habitats
(particularly the reintroduction of alluvial forest),
navigation
(the Elbe
isan importantwaterway), optimising thefluvial
floodbenefit
, reducing
groundwater
flood risk
. Consideration of the local aswell as upstream
anddownstream impacts, across ecological andhumanneeds, was key
to the successful implementationof thisproject.
Illustration2
Additional objectivesaddressedbyBelford ‘rural runoffattenuation’ scheme,UK
Themeasures applied at Belford involved a network of small measures to capture and delay
runoff from the rural catchment, such as detention ponds and overland flow features. The
measures were implemented in order to reduce the risk of flooding in the village of Belford
downstream by providing flood storage and attenuation. The target
policychallengesconsideredweremainly linkedtothe
FloodsDirective
,
to take adequate and coordinated measures to reduce flood risk.
However, additional objectives were considered including improving
the
physical and chemical status of waters
due to diffuse agricultural
pollution and the
protection of habitats for endangered andmigratory
birdspecies
.
Illustration3
Acatchment context assessment toaddress several policychallenges:
thecaseof theEddlestonWater, Scotland:
The EddlestonWater is a small tributary of theRiver Tweed, flowing 20 km before reaching
themain river in the townof Peebles. Over time, the course of the riverhas been extensively
altered and long sections were straightened in the early 19
th
century. Other changes in land
management, both in the
river valley and on the surrounding hill slopes
, have also altered
how the land drains. Together, these changes have resulted in an
increased riskofflooding
to
EddlestonandPeebles, as rainfall andfloodwaters travel evermorequicklyanddirectly from
thehill slopesandalong theriverchannels towards thesecommunities.At thesame time, these
changeshavealsodamaged the
river environment
itself, leading to the loss of over aquarter of
Illustration4
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Learnmore:
Enhancingpolicycoordination tomake themostoutofNWRM inyourplanningprocess
