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O
bjectives
The project has two main objectives: first, flood control and mitigation, and secondly, mass stabilisation and control of erosion
rates. However, it also addresses biodiversity and gene-pool conservation in riparian areas, and aims to improve the ecological
status of the river. Achieving mitigation of flood risk requires recovery of the natural morphology and hydraulic capacity of
the former stream bed of the river and its connectivity with the flood plain, and improvements to longitudinal continuity.
That is to say, there is a need to give
more space to the river
. Improving the
ecological status
of the river requires
improvement of river continuity and morphological conditions. Through targeting these issues, the project aims to mitigate
both Floods Directive pressures (natural exceedence and blockage/restriction) andWater Framework Directive pressures (phy-
sical alteration of channel/bed/riparian area/shore of water body and dams, barriers and locks for flood protection). It also
responds to the requirements of the Spanish National Strategy for River Restoration, sub-programme 3 and 4: Improvement
of the longitudinal and lateral continuity of the rivers within the Duero basin.
T
hemeasures
implemented
The measures have been implemented on a 23.5km long reach and treat about 45ha. In the near future, similar projects
will be carried out in downstream reaches (27.5 and 57.8km).Works to improve lateral connectivity and dynamics include
removal of 4.72km rock armour and 8.71km earth embankments, set-back of earth embankments away from the channel
for 5.22km, removal of 7 deflectors and 480ha of flood-prone area recovery (i.e. the area that has been re-connected to the
river and is now able to flood as a result of the project).Works to improve longitudinal continuity include modification of
in-riverobstacles
to allow the passage of fauna (fish) and sediment transport past two insurmountable weirs; reconnection
of 26 secondary arms (equivalent to 10.06km);
revegetation
of 7.2ha with riparian vegetation (Salix alba, Populous nigra,
Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus angustifolia) ; treatments to improve riparian vegetation health on 25km. The project also includes
works to improve riverbank stabilisation, using local willows, live stakes and fascines.
Construction works started at the end of 2011 and lasted one year (though the project was drafted in 2008 and submitted
for public consultation prior to its approval in 2010).
© Duero River Basin Authority (CHD)
© Duero River Basin Authority (CHD)
Works to improve the river lateral connectivity and dynamics:
earth embankments removal
Public participation process: local population active involvement during one of the
meetings taking place during the project implementation
