Code
N10
Sector
Hydro Morphology
Other sector(s)
Urban
The complete description of the NWRM
Summary

Riverbank represents both natural and artificial terrain following the river flow. In the past, lots of artificial banks were built with concrete or other types of retention walls, therefore limiting rivers’ natural movements, leading to degradation of the river, increased water flow, increased erosion and decreased biodiversity. River bank renaturalisation consists in recovering its ecological components, thus reversing such damages and especially allowing bank to be stabilized, as well as rivers to move more freely. Nature-based solutions such as bioengineering are preferable, but civil engineering has to be used in case of strong hydrological constraints.

Illustration(s)

Bank stabilisation with stones (USA)

Source: http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/surfacewater/stream-bank-stabilization.php

Bank stabilisation with wood weaving (France)

Source: http://www.siave.net/Protections_berges.html

Possible benefits with level
Benefits Level
BP1 - Store runoff
Low
BP2 - Slow runoff
Low
BP3 - Store river water
Low
BP4 - Slow river water
Medium
BP5 - Increase evapotranspiration
Medium
BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge
Low
BP7 - Increase soil water retention
Medium
BP8 - Reduce pollutant sources
Low
BP9 - Intercept pollution pathways
Medium
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery
High
BP11 - Improve soils
High
BP12 - Create aquatic habitat
High
BP13 - Create riparian habitat
High
BP14 - Create terrestrial habitats
Low
BP16 - Reduce peak temperature
Low
BP17 - Absorb and/or retain CO2
Low
ES1 - Water storage
Low
ES2 - Fish stocks and recruiting
High
ES3 - Natural biomass production
High
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation
High
ES5 - Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Low
ES6 - Groundwater/aquifer recharge
Low
ES7 - Flood risk reduction
Medium
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control
High
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants
High
ES10 - Recreational opportunities
High
ES11 - Aesthetic/cultural value
High
PO1 - Improving status of biology quality elements
High
PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements
Medium
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements
High
PO4 - Improving chemical status and priority substances
Medium
PO5 - Improving quantitative status
Low
PO6 - Improving chemical status
Low
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration
High
PO8 - Prevent groundwater status deterioration
Low
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks
Medium
PO10 - Protection of important habitats
High
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure
High
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry
High
PO13 - Better management of fish stocks
High
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss
High

Case studies per NWRM