The Odelouca River: Natural bank stabilization and riparian buffer galleries as part of mitigation and compensatory measures and through the use of bio-engineering techniques.
This project carried out in the Odelouca River (sub-catchment of the Arade River Basin, Algarve Region, South of Portugal) entailed the implementation of measures focused on the use of bio-engineering or natural techniques for rehabilitation of riparian buffer...
The case study is located in the draining basin of the Venice Lagoon. It is characterized by intensive agriculture and by a web of drainage channels discharging into the rivers. This case study, in particular, includes measures on the drainage channels discharging into the Dese river, one of the main water bodies of the Venice Lagoon basin.
The Veneto Region, through the “Plan for diffuse pollution prevention and restoration of water in...
The project of rehabilitation of heaths and mires on the Hautes-Fagnes Plateau (Belgium). It consists in wetland restoration. Actions include restoring 1400 ha of peaty and wet habitats, abandoning spruce plantation for natural habitats on 630 ha and regenerating 400 ha of oak and birch forests.
At three different sections of the Austrian Drau the river bed was enlarged and restoration works have taken place. Moreover, 25 ha of riparian forest were created as well as meadows, lakes and several river branches.
This case study focuses on the restoration of the Aurino stream. River restoration measures were implemented along the Aurino stream as part of the Aurino management plan. Interventions were implemented in different moments within the years 2003-2011. The objectives were flood protection and, secondarily, the improvement of the natural environment. Different interventions were implemented to widen the river bed, such as for example: (i)...
Órbigo River (Duero River Basin, northwest of Spain) ecological status improvement. The budle of measures applied within the framework of this project (2013 IRF European Riverprize finalist) aimed to promote floodplain reconnection and restoration, revitalisation of flowing water, levelling of longitudinal barriers, natural bank stabilisation, elimination of riverbank protection and restoration and riparian buffer restoration and maintenance...
The Odense is a river in southern Denmark. It was channelized and deepened in the late 1940s to improve agriculture. The NWRM consists of a series of measures to restore floodplain connectivity along a 17 km section of the river. The measures will prevent flooding in downstream towns and cities. This will have a number of effects on the pressures relevant for the WFD. Reduced risk for flooding of urban environment reduces the risk for storm...
Oroklini lake is a waterbody located close to the south coast of Cyprus next to the city of Larnaca and within the boundaries of Oroklini village. The waterbody has been subject to modifications and degradation by implementing hydraulic measures in the mid 40’s, in order to desiccate the lake, due to health concerns. The purpose of NWRM implementation was to increase water retention and restore the wetland habitats in order to meet the needs...
The measure was implemented in Matsalu National Park, Estonia, a former coastal meadow site (Natura 2000 and Ramsar site) next to a big Salmi coastal meadow with many priority species. The old non-functioning small ditches were closed and scraped to restore the wetland hydrology and breeding and feeding grounds for waders and amphibians. Before the restoration works the area was used mainly for bovine grazing and the restoration did not...
The measures implemented at two river within the city of Hamburg (Germany) included the restoration of rivers and ponds (N1), the revitalization of flowing waters (N5), natural bank stabilization (N10), and channels and rills (U5). They targeted the National Biodiversity Strategy of Germany as well as the achievement of a good ecological status as defined by the WFD. For the identification of locations for possible measures the general public...
The Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic carried out the retoration of Cerny Potok stream which was based on common principles of stream restoration. The main aim of the restoration was to decrease the volume of the restored stream-beds especially by reducing their depth. Modifications within the channelized stream-bed were not sufficient, therefore new stream-beds were proposed and constructed. They were reconnected with the...
River restoration and flood management measures were implemented on the River Quaggy in London. The measures were necessary due to increasing urban development in the river valley and natural flood plain, with an associated increase in fluvial flooding. A suite of measures was implemented between 1990 and 2005, including de-culverting a reach of river and creating associated floodplain; building a detention basin; set-back flood defences;...
The Lèze is a river located in the South of France, near the Pyrenees, on the French departments Ariège and Haute-Garonne. The case study concerns the implementation of floodbreaking hedges, which are located across the flood plain of the Lèze and are regularly spaced (every 300 to 500 metres). Partially obstructing the flow, such hedges can slow down running water and dissipate its energy. The project has been financed by the SMIVAL (20%),...
The WETLIFE project aimed at reversal of negative changes in Amalva and Žuvintas mires. Restoration of hydrological conditions necessary for regeneration of mire habitats was the main key to reaching the aim. Additionally, the project had a goal to facilitate a shift in agricultural practices on peatlands in order to improve conditions for biodiversity and reduce rate of peat mineralization with all related environmental consequences. Finally...
This scheme is part of the Sigmaplan programme, which is a long-term large-scale programme in Belgium aiming to improve flood storage of the Scheldt catchment. This particular scheme, on the Grote Nete, reconnects the river to its floodplain, which is currently isolated by dykes along both river banks. In the middle reach of the catchment, ‘controlled water storage areas’ will be developed, where a connection between the river and floodplain...
The Polish governmental agreement on water retention in small scale infrastructures was signed in 1995 to improve the structure of the water balance of small catchments by 2015. The regional authorities (voivodships) had to elaborate the programme of small retention development which was accomplished in 1996 for most of the regions. The planned increase in the volume of retention waters was based mainly on small water bodies (ponds), which...
The Kylmäojankorpi case study represents research work where water quality (dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, turbidity, and temperature) and stream-stage measured continuously. The existing forest wetland (c.a. 11ha), Kylmäojankorpi, is located in Vantaa city which is neighboring the capital city Helsinki. The study results show that forested wetland improves and regulates stream water quality and flow regime. The obtained knowledge...
The short term project objectives were to create 250 ha of wetland by raising the water level of the embanked area with a regulating water outlet structure, creation of a variety of habitats -from dry land to spots with deep water- by digging and opening up of old river meanders that had been filled up.
The project is a good experience in the field of ecological restoration, involving purchase of land, participatory planning and co-...