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E
The removal of the Erbistock weir marks a significant milestone for the EU-funded LIFE Dee River programme, offering a new era of ecological restoration for the River Dee. The completed work has already shown promising signs, with improvements being seen in the river's morphology, marking a return to its more natural state.
The removal of the weir has opened up an unimpeded passage for all fish species within the Dee, enhancing biodiversity and supporting the river’s ecosystems. Early observations indicate notable changes in the river's flow and sediment distribution, which are expected to further benefit local wildlife and improve overall river quality. +
R
The removal of the Robledo dam was a milestone as to be the highest dam demolished
in Spain, and possibly, in Europe.
The work carried out, besides the removal of the dam wall, consisted of the extraction
and relocation of sediments, the capture and transfer of 4500 specimens of native fish,
delimitation of the channel with riprap, slope profiling and reforestation of the
riverbank.
The dam was demolished on September 29, 2014, by the use of 1.2 tons of explosives.
More than 9,000 m3 of concrete from the wall of the dam were demolished. +
The restoration aims to undertake the recovery of the ecological integrity of the environment on which they act and the enhancement of cultural and heritage resources for tourism use, based on the inherent variability of the area channel, in terms of biodiversity and ecological processes and functions, in a historical context, which also takes into account sustainable traditional uses.
The main purpose of this project is the comprehensive restoration of the area, which has to be clearly defined sub-sections of ecological restoration, and those in which, based on the characteristics of the area, the rehabilitation must be compatible area with a touristic use.
Works included removal of exotic plants (Eucalyptus). +
C
The restoration of this section will be a significant step in restoring this relatively short brook to a more natural state on its way to its confluence with the River Lee. The brook has been culverted since the development of the stadium in the 1930s. The area has suffered localised flooding from the stream which has an upstream catchment mostly consisting of parkland and Epping Forest. +
R
The restoration project in Verde River comprises the whole of it, between his source in the springs of Benimodo-Massalavés (Valencia province) and its mouth in the river Júcar on its left bank, just before the confluence of the river Magro. The purpose of the restoration of the Rio Verde is the recovery of good ecological status, required for the WFD by 2015. Thus, the actions proposed are targets in the short and long term, all framed in ENRR and the WFD.
The main project objectives are, in short term, conditioning of DPH to improve the functioning natural hydraulic channel; increase river mobility space; conservation of riparian ecosystems; maintenance and improvement of current vegetation conditions; control of exotic vegetation; increased diversity of plant cover; improving the mobility of fish fauna; landscaping adjustment and environmental restoration of degraded areas; adaptation and promotion of social use the river.
Long term: Improve the river dynamics; enhancement of riparian forest development; improving the aquatic environment and associated land to allow regeneration and diversification of the fauna; promoting social use of the river more attractive and environmentally; promote integration of use policies and land management with the use and management of rivers, with sustainability criteria. +
The restoration work was primary done to enhace the population and the nesting and breeding habitats for fish. Four rivers Riisijoki, Tolvanjoki, Suonnanjoki and Kirintöjoki were restored during year 2013. Rivers were restored in 18 rapid areas and the area altogether is nowadays approximately 3,3 ha. River Kirintöjoki was restored by 7 925 m², River Suonnanjoki 7 150 m², River Tolvanjoki 2 300 m² and River Riisijoki 6 200 m².
The task was to make the environment of the straightened rapid areas more diverse and shape them into more natural state. The work was done with the help of heavy machinery.
Expecially the trout population will benefit from the restoration work, because the requirements for the species reproduction were significantly enhanced.
Now the rapid areas provides also possibilities for the grayling population to grow as well as many other freshwater species.
The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Lapland made the restoration plans and completed the work aswell. The results were monitored during and after the restoration had been completed. The Ministry of the Agriculuture and forestry and the City of Posio were responsible of the restoration expences. +
G
The restored reach at Great Ryburgh extends between Great Ryburgh Mill and Sennowe Bridge. A significant length of meandering river channel was completely bypassed by a straightened channel sometime in the mid nineteenth century. The engineered channel was over deep, isolated from the floodplain and lacked both flow and habitat diversity. A feasibility study indicated that the reconnection of 1100m of the original course would significantly improve the ecology and natural functioning of the SSSI and SAC.
A key part of the restoration was to reinstate the original course by plugging the straightened channel and creating a new link to the original course at the upstream end. The height of the plug was set so that it can be overtopped during high flows and functions as an overflow channel. The new link channel was designed to restore some of the geomorphological function lost when the channel was straightened. The downstream end of the straightened channel has been left open to create an ecologically valuable backwater. Although disconnected, the line of the original channel remained and mature alder and willow were evident in places along the margins. The old channel was excavated to match natural geomorphological features as much as possible. Where riverbed gravels were found they were left intact, and supplemented in some areas to create shallow glides.
Deeper pools were dug on the outer bends of meanders and lateral berms and woody debris were installed to increase sinuosity. Backwaters and bays have also been created along the channel to provide fish refuge and additional habitat. Native shrubs and trees, predominantly willow and alder, have been selectively planted to create riparian shade and these have been fenced to protect them from grazing livestock. +
R
The restored reach at Swanton Morley extends downstream of Swanton Morley Weirs and had been historically dredged for land drainage purposes. As a result the channel was over deep and over wide and isolated from the floodplain by large spoil embankments. The channel lacked flow diversity, in-channel habitat, woody debris and tree cover. The restoration scheme aimed to re-establish the natural form and function of the river, improve the ecology of both the SSSI and SAC and reconnect the river and floodplain.
Pools and glides were created using imported gravel from a local quarry and designed such that finer sediment would not settle out under any flow conditions and the coarser gravel would not be washed out in high flow conditions. Lateral berms were created to increase sinuosity by placing a line of gravel rejects to define the outer edge, then transplanting existing bank vegetation behind the gravel and backfilling using material excavated from the spoil banks. Woody debris was installed to create flow diversity, increase sinuosity and create additional habitat and refuge areas. Selective tree planting of predominantly alder and willow has been carried out along the banks to increase riparian cover. A meander loop, bypassed in the 1950s, was reconnected by plugging the existing straight channel so that flows are diverted into the loop. Desilting of the meander was required to expose the hard bed underneath.
Reconnection of the river with the floodplain, to increase biodiversity and provide a sink for sediment during high flow conditions, has been achieved by lowering the spoil embankment in places. An Internal Drainage Board drain is situated within the floodplain and so work was undertaken to ensure that this did not become surcharged during flood events which could potentially cause adverse impacts downstream. The floodplain was re-profiled in places, working with the existing topography and using spoil from the river embankments to create a defined area which will be inundated during high flows and then allow water to drain back to the river as water levels recede.
River restoration project in Congost between the torrent of Malhivern and end of the municipality of La Garriga +
The restored section has a length of 650m, a common channel between 4 and 6 m and a width of 35m in ordinary floods. The slope of the river terrace is bound by dikes and embankments in some places not stabilized in others and longitudinal continuity of the river influenced by two rip-raps. There are occupations of the river area for industrial activities and eventually discharges of debris. As relevant to vegetation, effects of overgrazing are detected and a significant proliferation of exotic species.
The main objectives of this project are: limit the presence and possible expansion of invasive exotic species of vascular plants; removal of non-functional riprap stretches the right margin; increase morphological heterogeneity in the right margin; promote the recovery of native riparian vegetation; minimize the impact of human activities taking place in the fluvial environment and are likely to maintain or produce impacts; improving the landscape and the river ecosystem.
The project has a total budget of 155.568,08 € and is financed by the Consorci of Besós. +
The river Akerselva is one of the main rivers that flows through the city of Oslo and starts at the lake Maridalsvannet to the north of the city. Like many other urban rivers, Akerselva has been impacted by urban development and activities since the 19th century. Much has been done during the last 25 years to improve water quality and reduce pollution.
Through Oslo municipality's program, “Byøkologisk program 2011-2026”, work was carried out to reopen culverted streams and to create blue/green corridors throughout the city. This was one of the drivers for restoration work in Akerselva and other rivers in Oslo. Several restoration projects have already been carried out in Akerselva in recent years and more are planned in the future.
Here is a list of some of the restoration measures that have been completed in different sections of the river:
• 2000: Reopening of river stretches in relation to Akerselva miljøpark in Nydalen
• 2013: Habitat improvement measures in Akerselva between Kuba and Ankerbua
• 2016: Habitat improvement measures by Kubaparken
• 2017: Habitat improvement measures in the Karsten Warholm neighbourhood by Badebekken
• 2018: Habitat improvement measures at 3 localities in the middle part (by Myreløkka, Ivan Bjøndals gate and Lillogata)
• 2019: Building/improving fish stairs at Grønvoldsterskelen +
U
Updated project for the “Environmental Restoration and Urban and Landscape Planning of Cabra River’s High Section (Cordoba) +
The river Cabra is under strong agricultural and urban pressure, with a very fragmented landscape whose main uses, are not only urban, but also industrial and agricultural (greenhouses and crops such as olive groves and orchards).Therefore, this upper section of the river suffers from various kinds problems. Among them are the spillings and waste accumulation, the loss of water quality, erosion and destabilization of the riverbed and its banks, a serious degradation of vegetation and the absolute disconnection of the fluvial environment and the urban, agricultural and industrial environment.
Even so, there is a there is still a wealth of flora and fauna in its banks, real and potential, and a public demand for the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural resources associated with the urban section of the river Cabra, by both the Cabra City Coucil and local citizens associationes.
Hence, the project aims to improve the landscape and aesthetics of the area (by cleaning and removal of waste), to restore and improve the natural environment (with silvicultural treatments of riverside vegetation and plantations) and to carry out hydrological recovery actions, such as stabilization of slopes and recovery of margins witch present erosion problems. In this regard, the project proposes planting of autochthonous vegetation (elms, poplars, ashes, willows, tarajes, figs ...) along the most degraded banks.
Furthermore, in order to enhance the area’s recreational use, actions have been carried out for the interpretation of nature and conditioning of spaces and infrastructures for public use. Recreational areas integrated into the river space have been built, as well as river paths and promenades, etc. +
R
The river Couasnon was resized and straightened during the 1970s and 1980s. Numerous hydraulic structures line the river and affect its hydraulic operations. Approximately two-thirds of the Couasnon’s flows are diverted into the mill structures and reaches.
Hydraulic structures and cleaning and straightening operations caused the water quality to drop and damaged habitats. The structures prevented the free movement of fish, caused the siltation of the river, led to the proliferation of aquatic vegetation and increased the water temperature. They also led to the disappearance of the brown trout in the upstream section of the river.
The pumping of water from the Couasnon for irrigation is now prohibited, thus rendering many of the structures useless.
In 2004 was signed a Contrat restauration entretien (CRE- Restoration and Maintenance Contract), whose purpose is to establish free-flowing water and diversify habitats.
Between 2004 and 2008, the flaps of the 22 structures were lowered. In the section classified as a fishery in the first category, 550 tonnes of blocks were used to diversify the bed and create over 110 deflectors. 1,500 tonnes of gravel was deposited in the river bed in order to reconstitute riffles. +
L
The river Dove in Dovedale and Wolfscote Dale is one of the most renowned river stretches in Britain. In recognition of its ecological value, the river is designated as part of the nationally important Dove Valley and Biggin Dale Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The river Dove is further recognised as being internationally important for its wildlife and is designated as part of the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Dovedale is also a National Nature Reserve (NNR) managed by the National Trust.
The 2010 Site Improvement Plan (SIP) for the Peak District Dales SAC states that weirs, dams and other structures create pressures on the river Dove for White Clawed Crayfish, Bullhead and Brook Lamprey and prevent natural hydrological processes happening, limiting natural habitat development.It recommends that this should be addressed through a river restoration strategy.
Letting the Dove Flow is the name for the river restoration strategy that builds on the findings of previous studies and aims to develop a long term plan to restore the river and a partnership to implement short, medium and long term. +
R
The river Fugla is a small river in Hell in Stjoerdal community in the middle part of Norway. River is situated next to the river Stjørdalselva. This is in an area susceptible to slides and the river has been cutting increasingly deeper into the potential unstable sediments.
Quick clay is a type of marine clay prone to sudden loss of strength when disturbed. After failure the clay may become liquid, and this could lead to big landslides. Primarily found in the upper region of the Northern Hemisphere. Quick clay slides occur without warning and may wipe out large areas often causing loss of life and substantial material damage. Landslides can be triggered by high rivers that erode and saturate clay slopes, by melt water and rain that destabilize a deposit or by human activity such as fillings, excavations etc..
In populated areas with high risk of landslide hazard, improvements as raising the river bottom is used to stop erosion. In many rivers and brooks large stretches of the river bed might be raised by several meters and both the river bed and banks will be plastered with erosion-proof rocks.
NVE secured this river for further erosion and the work was conducted with the use of erosion-proof rocks both in the river bed and banks for a total distance of about 600 meters. Prior to the mitigating work the water quality was poor and the river was often colored grey due to erosion. Also logs, roots etc were placed in the brook and spawning gravel in to the rapid areas.
The construction work protects the area from the slides. At the same time it can ruin habitats for anadromous fish and aquatic invertebrates.
To restore the river and recreate suitable habitats for sea trout and salmon, some simple mitigating measures were done. Building small weirs to create deeper ponds, adding spawning gravel, roots with rootwad, and the use of logs and large woody debris, made the river more suitable for aquatic organisms. Mitigating measures were set up over a distance of about 250 meters of the river. With the measures done the river now lookes more natural.
The river Hammonjoki was restored from seven different rapid sections by the end of year 2007. The source of the water in the river comes mainly from springs. Catchment area is 45 km2 and the river runs to the lake Vesijärvi. The river is highly appreciated among the fly fishers. The restoration plan was made in the Centre for Economic, Transport and the Environment of Uusimaa. Hämeen TE-Centre, The County of Hollola and the fishing ground of Lake Vesijärvi funded the project and there were plenty of volunteers working in the river during restoration work.
Previously the connectivity of the river was blocked by an old mill dam. The old dam is protected by the ‘National Board of Antiquities and Historical Monuments’ and it was not permitted to take it down totally, but it was possible to explode a hole into the dam to enable the fish migration. The bypass was constructed to the rapid section year 2007.
The river Hammonjoki inhabits populations of e.g. brown trout, brook trout, grayling and brook lamprey. It is the only river in the catchment area of Lake Vesijärvi where the trout can migrate to. The water quality is the best in the regoin because most of the water is produced through the springs. Brown trout is the only natural salmonid species of the river and is mainly found from the lower parts of the river. Brook trout is the most common species and abundant in the whole river, also in the small headwaters. Brook trout population originates from the fish farm upstream (Hatsina) stockings made in 1960´s. Recently there has also been seen stocking of rainbow trout for fisheries. The river Hammonjoki has had a distinct fishing section for fly fishing since 1990´s. +
L
The river Llobregat lower course is the result of centuries of human activity. Historically it has tried to avoid overflows and maintain a constant channel in order to gain land for agriculture and to capture water for irrigation and industry. In recent years, construction of major infrastructures such as highway, the TGV and other service roads have come to narrow the river steadily reducing temporary floodplain.
The important aspects are summarized in the following features: creating favorable conditions (morphological and hydraulic); stabilize the channel and enable the growth of vegetation compatible with the frequency of floods and flooding near the river; create riverside communities continue to function as a corridor; promote native species and eliminate the alien; recover the riparian habitat and all; lost and refuge areas for wildlife habitat; encourage and facilitate the enjoyment of the river by the population, with emphasis on landscape and ecological aspects and fen-it compatible with conservation. +
R
The river Porvoonjoki is the main river of the catchment area of the Porvoonjoki. The river runs from Lahti region to the City of Porvoo. It passes by many agricultural fields that are highly culturally significant to the area. The river is 143 km long anf the catchment area is 1 271 km2. The catchment area has only 1,4 % of lakes. The delta of the Porvoonjoki river is a Natura2000 area. The current has been more than 200 m3/s. The river has several rapid areas and 18 rapids have been restored to help the fish to migrate upwards the river. May restoration were done in the triburatory of the main river. Also fish (roe boxes and juveniles) have been introduced to the rapid areas. The fish populations have not risen as hoped due to the fishing and the obstacles to migrate.
Most of restoration actions are done by the local volunteers. In most of the restoration cases the rapids have received gravel, stones and also the paths for migratory fish have been opened. The stones will modify the current in the streams and give shelter areas for the fish. The gravel gives the salmonid fish places to reproduce and lay eggs.
The river is naturally very humid because of the loamy bottom. Agriculture and the sewage water from the domestic areas affects to the nutrient load to the river significantly. Buffer strips along the river have been established to prevent the nutrient load to the river.
Fish studies have proven that the sewage waters that contain wastes from medicine affects the reproduction of the salmonid fish. The water quality In the river is getting better because of the better seage water management systems and water conservations actions in the agricultural areas.
The river is very popular as a recreational area. Many turists come to Porvoo for recreational fishing and to canoe in the River Porvoonjoki. There are many fish species in the River Porvoonjoki: salmo trutta, salmo salar, grayling, perch, pike, char.
There are several small hydropower stations along the River Porvoonjoki and its streams. Also there has been many old saws and mills but many of them have been opened up and now the fish can migrate upwards.
T
Toce River: conservation of riparian habitats for breeding and migratory birds - LIFE02 NAT/IT/008572 +
The river Toce in the Alps is the next largest tributary of Lake Maggiore after the river Ticino. It is a very important site for nesting birds and especially migrating birds including priority species, such as the corncrake (Crex crex). The Toce fulfils a vital role as an ecological corridor across the Alps during bird migration.
The project aimed to help the conservation, rehabilitation and extension of the river and riverbank habitats along a stretch of the river Toce downstream Domodossola.
The project achieved some relevant results such as the creation of an area with different water levels down to a maximum depth of 1 m, thus favouring amphibians and birds in the locality of Prata (Municipality of Vogogna); the reduction of the presence of invasive exotic trees and shrubs in termophilous shrub habitats; the maintenance of suitable habitat for nesting birds in the lowland hay meadows through specific management intervention consisting in mowing; the creation of new alluvial forests. +
R
The river had been heavily dredged in the past, resulting in a distinct lack of gravel within the river, and the channel was over-deep and filled with silt. Long profile surveys also indicated that the natural profile of the river had been significantly altered. Habitat restoration work progressed in three phases:
- Riffle creation in March 2006 (~30m)
- Marginal habitat enhancement in 2007 (~150m)
- Bed raising combined with channel narrowing in 2009 (~250m) +
I
The river restoration at Ironbridge Farm builds on the work undertaken at Little Waltham meadows on the River Chelmer and the nearby Local Nature reserve at Bocking Blackwater.
As with all of these works the aim of the project is to improve the water-body under the Water Framework Directive. Currently the River Pant is failing under Water Framework Directive for a number of reasons including diffuse pollution, fish passage, point source and physical modification. It should be noted that this area does suffer from low flows during the summer months, especially if the Abberton scheme which transfers water from the Ouse to Abberton is closed.
There are some local issues with the river in this area, that are largely typical of those found elsewhere in Essex. Namely the disconnection of the river from the surrounding floodplain, this has led to a reduction in quality and type of Riparian habitat, in this case specifically wet woodland which is drying out and fen meadows which are decreasing in number and quality. Interestingly and of some note, the site at Ironbridge Farm and the surrounds are a Local Wildlife Site (LoWS) this means they have been recognised as an outstanding site in the context of Essex. Largely the site is notified for its mosaic of habitat but a key element of this is the presence of wet woodland and Fen meadow. So, besides contributing to raising the WFD status of the site, it is also contributing to the rehabilitation of the LoWS in the shape of an enhanced wet woodland and and enhanced Fen meadow.
In order to achieve this, a plan has been designed which will increase the seasonal inundation and flooding of the woodland and fen meadow. This will have the multi benefits of reconnecting the floodplain, reducing flooding and improving water quality.
A simple pipe will be installed which has been set to a level which will not only protect low flows but achieve the desired ecological effects. The level of the pipe was calculated by taking measurements on days of known flows and supported by Mannings equation.
It is hoped that the pipe level (nominally 44.30OD) will allow the site to flood 4 or 5 times during the winter months, an existing land drain will also be diverted to feed into the woodland.
In addition to the installation of a pipe there will also be some limited earthworks to help the water move around the site in an effective manner and also to provide further enhancement of the local wildlife site. There will be around 15 to 20cm's taken off the existing field surface to delineate a channel and hold water. The spoil created by this will then be used to create a small bund which will stop any uncontrolled water spreading across the floodplain.
A number of considerations had to be considered before undertaking this work, most notably in this case the presence of trees on the site. This resulted in a number of tree assessments being undertaken in order to manage and mitigate any impact on the tree's including HERAS fencing, root protection tracks and a number of arrangements put in place to protect these trees.
Work should be undertaken in August 2015, all the necessary consents are in place and a contractor has been appointed to undertake the works.