River Management

This is an established truth that with the growing world, the environmental degradation process cannot avoid but the technology is a solution to minimize this process. A sustainable development depends on plans, which are design on the strong basis of comprehensive datasets. Under this research studies, the required datasets were generated using remote sensing and GIS system integrated with field GPS surveys. The representations of these datasets further analyzed to ensure the data quality and output results. The objectives of ...

Specific problems in connection with the sediment regime have arisen in the granite and gneiss area in the northern part of Austria due to the increased sediment supply of coarse sand and fine gravel as a product of rock weathering. One of the physical characteristics of these sediments is their high mobility in form of ripple bedforms along the surface. In these rivers, the microtopographical structures of the bed surface are hydraulically active, especially in the initial stages when ripples have not overtopped the largest elements of the bed's roughness elements. There is a lack of detailed studies of the impacts of these microtopographical structures on ripple dynamics. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of various microtopographic roughness elements on ripple movement. This study was performed using a 1:1-scaled physical laboratory experiment. The results showed, in all repetitions of the experiment with variable grain sizes, that the higher the microtopographical variability of the river substrate and turbulence was, the higher the measured transport velocities of the ripples were. The expected hidden impacts on sediment transport were not documented. Important implications for sediment management were discussed, as river sections with high accumulation rates of coarse sand and fine gravel are prone to additional degradation as downstream transport decreases over smooth ripple-dune morphologies. Additionally, structural elements such as exposed rocks may increase the downstream transport due to the increased variability in turbulence. KEYWORDS morphology, physical experiments, ripple dynamics, river management, roughness 1 | INTRODUCTION Due to the granite-and gneiss-dominated old mountain range (formed 300 million years ago in the Devonian and Permian), the northern part of Austria shows (a) some specific characteristics in river morphology and grain-size distribution and (b) some specific problems in sediment management compared with much younger alpine streams (Hauer,

Specific problems in connection with the sediment regime have arisen in the granite and gneiss area in the northern part of Austria due to the increased sediment supply of coarse sand and fine gravel as a product of rock weathering. One of the physical characteristics of these sediments is their high mobility in form of ripple bedforms along the surface. In these rivers, the microtopographical structures of the bed surface are hydraulically active, especially in the initial stages when ripples have not overtopped the largest elements of the bed's roughness elements. There is a lack of detailed studies of the impacts of these microtopographical structures on ripple dynamics. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of various microtopographic roughness elements on ripple movement. This study was performed using a 1:1‐scaled physical laboratory experiment. The results showed, in all repetitions of the experiment with variable grain sizes, that the higher th...

This paper describes the most important phases of the conflict between Padua and Venice, initially for the state border and ultimately between private landowners and the Venetian Republic, by mean of a diachronical analysis of historical maps from 16th to 18th centuries such as those of Ruffoni (1678), Fabris (1587), Formaleoni (1776), Valle (1784), Milanovich (1786) and Valle (1801). They provide an important contribution in the geo-historical reconstruction of the contentious border between Venice and the Padua territory, in particular near the village of Pettorazza, located along Adige River, just behind the southern Venice Lagoon.

Introduction
In many regions, ecosystem sustainability and environmental security have become more fragile. Because watersheds are dynamic systems, their hydrological function and health are constantly changing under the influence of land use, climate change, and human interventions. Since the destruction of the ecosystems of a watershed has harmful economic and social consequences, in recent decades there has been a general tendency to evaluate the relative conditions or health of watersheds on a national and local scale. Ecologists have paid special attention to the study of how natural resource ecosystems respond to different types of stress caused by human activities. The watershed sustainability index (WSI) can be considered as an effective tool in watershed management including priorities monitoring changes and influencing factors on ecosystem management. In recent years, various studies and plans have been conducted to preserve natural resources and achieve sustainable development. The sustainability of watersheds includes four important goals of regulating the water flow regime, maintaining and improving water quality, maintaining the ecological quality of plants and animals, and energy resources. In this context, the pressure-state-response (PSR) model has been introduced and used for a comprehensive assessment of the health of an ecosystem. The conceptual model of PSR was developed using a set of criteria expressing environmental performance. This study aimed to evaluate the sustainability level of the Bujin watershed.

Materials and methods
One of the methods for evaluating watershed sustainability is the use of the conceptual pressure-state-response model (PSR). Applying the causal-effect PSR model using theWSI criteria in the form of four sub-criteria of hydrology (qualitative and quantitative), environment, life, and policy-making, one can evaluate the sustainability of the watershed numerically. In this method, considering the available data and information to investigate each sub-criteria, the parameter values are determined in three modes of pressure, state, and response, and in the scoring range from zero to one, five categories are converted to quantitative mode. Therefore, the PSR framework has three types of criteria: pressure criteria that evaluate environmental pressure resulting from human activities (waste, sewage), and state criteria that express environmental conditions (water quality). and the response criteria that evaluate the society's reactions (water quality) and the response criteria that evaluate the society's responses (policies, laws, management). The sub-criteria and parameters used in this research were determined based on the index selection criteria published by the HCTF Habitat Protection Fund in 2003. Sub-criteria were investigated based on three conceptual model parameters in 10 years for the Bujin watershed. The WSI criteria were calculated at three low, medium, and high levels to assess the watershed sustainability.

Results and Discussion
According to the results, the value of the pressure parameter and the quantitative status of the basin's hydrology in terms of available water variable is in class (C), i.e. in the range of 3400 > AW > 1700, which is a poor condition. The average scores were obtained for the water quality part (0.583), which shows the average to low status. The average score for the hydrology sub-criterion was 0.375, which indicates a poor situation in this region. The values of pressure, state, and response parameters for the sub-criterion of life in the Bujin watershed, during the 10 years studied, indicate a change in the state from weak to moderate. The results also showed that the pressure parameter with a score of 0.75 and the response parameter with a score of 0.625 had the highest and lowest scores for evaluating the sustainability of the Bujin watershed, respectively, indicating an appropriate response to reduce the pressure applied to the ecosystems. Sub-hydrology index with a score of 0.16 and environment with a score of 1 had the lowest and highest priority for the management of the basin ecosystem. According to the distribution maps of the criterion for evaluating watershed sustainability in conventional watershed systems during the period (2006-2016), the standard level of watershed sustainability at the beginning of the period was lower than the middle class (score 0.59) and in the middle of the period was in the middle class (score 0.62) and for the end of the period, it was upgraded to the upper than the middle class (score 0.7).

Conclusion
The priorities of achieving sustainable development (the priority in improving the conditions to promote the level of sustainability and achieve sustainable development) are different, and it is important to know which sub-criterion should be improved first and which parameter the decision-makers should pay attention to avoid wasting time, money and energy, and to take faster development steps in an area. Evaluation of relative conditions of watershed sustainability using the PSR model is very useful for providing appropriate management strategies because according to the nature of the conceptual model, a specific dimension of watershed health is explained. Bujin watershed has an unstable condition in the sub-index of hydrology and a good condition in the sub-index of life and human development, although, for this watershed, obtaining a score of 0.7 for WSI criteria in the whole watershed showed that the level of watershed sustainability in the 10 years is in the middle class and it is necessary to pay more attention to improve the level of sustainability and health of the watershed.

Introduction
Climate change and human interventions are the most important factors that in combination influence the hydrological response of a watershed system. In order to increase the level of their social and economic welfare, human beings have made serious and significant interventions in nature and directly caused several changes in its functions and processes, particularly the hydrological cycle. On the other hand, global climate change imposes several impacts on the natural hydrological cycle. Therefore, the separation of the effects of direct human intervention and climate change on the hydrological processes is of great importance for land use planning, water resources management, and socio-economic development policy-making. The hydrological cycle is one of the most important natural processes subjected to human interventions and climate change, whereas its various aspects and components get altered. One of these hydrological components is the river flow discharge, which is jointly affected by climate change and human interventions, and it will have dire consequences on different aspects of human life. Human activities indirectly (through the emission of greenhouse gases) and directly (through activities such as the construction of dams, water diversion structures, water consumption for agricultural activities, and land use change) affect the hydrological cycle and the natural regime of river flows.

Materials and Methods
The area studied in this research includes the upstream part of the Hablehroud watershed draining to the Bonekouh hydrometry station. The whole study area is located within the administrative boundaries of Tehran province. Hablehroud River, which is the main drain of the watershed, has been under pressure in recent years as a result of human activities and climate changes, and its hydrological status has altered significantly during past decades attracting the attention of watershed inhabitants and local authorities mostly blame the climate change as the main cause of the hydrologic alteration. The current research is conducted in order to determine the contribution of climate change and direct human interventions on the discharge decline of the Hableroud watershed. In this research, the hydrological sensitivity analysis approach based on the Budyko hypothesis was used in order to separate the effect of climate change and direct human interventions in reducing the discharge of Habaleroud River at the location of Simindasht and Delichai hydrometric stations. The annual time series of flow discharge during the period 1981 to 2017 was used. Two solution methods by Fu and Zhang have been used to solve the Budyko equation. Prior to the calculation of the contributions, the significant change point along the time series was detected by three tests of the Buishand Range, Standard Normal Homogeneity, and the sequential Mann-Kendall.

Results and Discussion
Despite an infinitesimal variation, all the change point detection tests showed that a significant change point occurred in the middle of the 1990s for the annual discharge time series of the both hydrometry stations of Delichai and Simindasht. The contribution of climate change on discharge in the Simindasht and Delichai hydrometry stations was, respectively, calculated as less than one and 53 % according to Fu's method and -6 and 93 % according to Zhang's method. According to Fu's method, the contribution of human intervention in the discharge change of Simindasht and Delichai stations has, respectively, been calculated as -81 and -153 %, and according to Zhang's method as -94 and -193 %. The positive percentage values indicate the incremental effect on the flow discharge and the negative values indicate the subtractive or lessening effect. The results indicated that although the absolute and percentage values of the contributions calculated by both solution methods of the Budyko equation vary somehow, the direction (positive and negative effects) and the relative magnitude of contributions of the human interventions and climate change are similar for two solution methods of the Budyko equation. As can be noticed, at both the studied hydrometry stations, the effect of human intervention is much higher than the climate change effect. Another important point is that the effect of climate change on the flow discharge is subtractive only at the Simindasht hydrometry station according to Zhang’s method, and is incremental for other cases. In other words, climate change has resulted in increasing inflow discharge across the study area. Furthermore, the results of the study indicate that the effect of direct human interventions on the flow discharge is more intensive across the Delichai sub-watershed.

Conclusions
According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that the main factor in the reduction of discharge in the Habaleroud River is direct human interventions and climate change has a very small contribution to it. Due to the fact that land use change is the main indicator of human interventions done in line with the main policies and strategies, developing proper policies and strategies to prevent inappropriate land use changes is necessary. Therefore, it is suggested that local policymakers and water resources managers develop and enact policies in order to manage the human activities influencing the natural water cycle. Furthermore, the results of this study can be used as a reference for the development, exploitation, and management of water resources in the future.

To facilitate decision support in freshwater ecosystem protection and restoration management, habitat suitability models can be very valuable. Data driven methods such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) are particularly useful in this context, seen their time-efficient development and relatively high reliability. However, specialized and technical literature on neural network modelling offers a variety of model development criteria to select model architecture, training procedure, etc. This may lead to confusion among ecosystem modellers and managers regarding the optimal training and validation methodology. This paper focuses on the analysis of ANN development and application for predicting macroinvertebrate communities, a species group commonly used in freshwater assessment worldwide. This review reflects on the different aspects regarding model development and application based on a selection of 26 papers reporting the use of ANN models for the prediction of macroinvertebrates. This analysis revealed that the applied model training and validation methodologies can often be improved and moreover crucial steps in the modelling process are often poorly documented. Therefore, suggestions to improve model development, assessment and application in ecological river management are presented. In particular, data pre-processing determines to a high extent the reliability of the induced models and their predictive relevance. This also counts for the validation criteria, that need to be better tuned to the practical simulation requirements. Moreover, the use of sensitivity methods can help to extract knowledge on the habitat preference of species and allow peer-review by ecological experts. The selection of relevant input variables remains a critical challenge as well. Model coupling is a missing crucial step to link human activities, hydrology, physical habitat conditions, water quality and ecosystem status. This last aspect is probably the most valuable aspect to enable decision support in water management based on ANN models.

A pesar de que las publicaciones en torno a ríos urbanos son abundantes, no hay investigaciones que se centren en su definición y, por esa misma razón, tampoco procedimientos oficiales para delimitarlos. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivos (1) definir qué es un río urbano y (2) delimitar los tramos fluviales urbanos para el territorio español. Las principales motivaciones para realizar este estudio son de diversa índole. En primer lugar, el interés científico-geográfico que entraña analizar una cuestión compleja como esta; en segundo lugar, la evidencia de que existen conflictos entre ayuntamientos y administraciones hidráulicas por la asunción de competencias y; por último, la idea, cada vez más extendida entre la comunidad científica, de promover una gestión diferenciada del espacio fluvial urbano y rural. A través del análisis del escenario de planificación y gestión de los cursos de agua en las zonas urbanas y la reflexión en torno al concepto “río urbano”, se concluye que ...

Social pressure on alluvial plains and deltas is large, both from an economic point of view and from a nature conservation point of view. Gradually, flood risks increase with economic development, because the expected damage increases, and with higher dikes, because the flooding depth increases. Global change, changing social desires, but also changing views, require a revision of flood-risk management strategies for the long term. These should be based on resilience as opposed to the resistence strategy of heightening dikes. Resilience strategies for flood-risk management imply that the river is allowed to temporarily flood large areas, whereas the flood damage is minimized by adapting land use. Such strategies are thus based on risk management and ʻ'living with floodsʼ' instead of on hazard control. For The Netherlands, one of the most densely populated deltas in the world, alternative resilience strategies have been elaborated and assessed for their hydraulic functioning and ʻ'sustainability criteriaʼ'.

Es wurde die zeitliche Belastungsentwicklung von Dioxinen und Metallen untersucht, um prufen, ob Metalle als Trcer fur Dioxine in Oberboden der Elbtalaue geeignet sind. Die unterschiedlichen Belastungsgeschichten machen lassen Metalle als ungeeignet erscheinen. Allerdings konnten im Tiefenprofil Metallmuster identifiziert werden, die auch in Oberboden eine hohe Dioxinbelastung indizieren. Standorte mit hoher Dioxinkonzentration im Oberboden befinden sich in Senkenlage oder Flutrinnen, gekennzeichnet durch geringe, bzw. unterbrochene Sedimentation. Die Standorte weisen geringmachtige Oberboden auf, meist mit rel. geringen pH-Werten sowie mit rel. geringen Anteilen oxalatloslichen Eisens, d. h. Chartakteristika einer vorangeschrittenen Bodenbildung aus Sedimenten.

En los deltas metropolitanos emergentes convergen dinámicas
naturales y procesos urbanos en un contexto de incertidumbre
producto del cambio climático y el desarrollo económico.
Este contexto vuelve a la planificación tradicional poco eficaz
para abordar las problemáticas actuales y futuras de una
manera flexible y participativa. Para desarrollar métodos y
estrategias de planificación eficientes, es necesario comprender
el funcionamiento de los sistemas para operar con la
misma lógica con la que estos funcionan. En este artículo se
presentará el concepto de deltas metropolitanos emergentes
profundizando en la comprensión de estas áreas como
sistemas adaptativos complejos. Asimismo, se ahondará en los
desafíos de la planificación, analizando el caso del delta del río
Paraná y presentando un método de planificación adaptativa y
participativa para la zona.

One of the most common actions in river research and rehabilitation is to divide stream networks into more manageable spatial scales; such as zones, segments, and reaches. The segment is a popular unit for stream management, being the scale over which geomorphic characteristics considered to be relatively consistent and comparable. Stream confluences are the typical criteria for differentiating these segments, as the input of discharge at a confluence is assumed to impart a predictable and significant step-change in morphology. This research examines this assumption. We explore the nature, magnitude and significance of morphologic adjustment at a set of confluences in Victoria, Australia. Symmetry ratio (relative size of merging streams) is shown to be a key indicator for predicting the magnitude and significance of adjustment at any given confluence over the scale of the study region. We recommend using symmetry ratio and an improved understanding of confluence dynamics to assist in defining geomorphic thresholds and spatial-scale boundaries within stream systems. This has direct implications for how stream networks are described for both research and management.

In this paper, the applicability of bandal-like structures as an alternative method for traditional river training structures like groins is investigated. This structure is usually used in Indian Sub-Continents for riverbank protection and improvement of navigation conditions in alluvial rivers. The mechanism behind the utilization of this type of structure which affects the flow patterns and sediment transport process was studied through experimental measurements and numerical simulations. During the calculations, the water flow is computed by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations in 3D domain. The k-ε model is used for the turbulence closure and the numerical simulation is conducted on the unstructured meshes with the finite volume method. The main characteristics of the sediment erosion/deposition process around the bandal-like structures are clarified. The promising use of bandal-like structures is demonstrated through the comparisons with conventional structures as impermeable groins.

Using Bandal-like structure in a recurrent way is a promising method for the management of large alluvial rivers. Unfortunately, scientific knowledge on Bandal-like structures is still very poor despite of their historied applications in the Indian subcontinent. In this paper, the fundamental characteristics of the three-dimensional flow around Bandal-like structures are investigated with field survey, laboratory experiment and numerical simulation methods. The field survey was made with a velocity profiler in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted under live-bed scour condition with a pair of simplified Bandal-like structures in the Ujigawa Open Laboratory, Kyoto University. A three-dimensional numerical model was developed and used to simulate the flow field under the same conditions as those of the laboratory experiment. It is found that the numerical results are reasonably consistent with those of the experimental measurements. Based on the anal...

Climate migration is emerging as one of the most pressing yet underappreciated crises of our time. As climate change accelerates, millions of people around the world are being forced to flee their homes due to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, desertification, and other environmental stressors. This article explores the multifaceted dimensions of climate migration, including its causes, the socioeconomic and political impacts on both migrants and receiving communities, and the challenges of addressing this issue within existing legal frameworks. Although climate-induced displacement is increasing, global responses remain uncoordinated and inadequate. This article argues that without urgent and coordinated global action, climate migration will exacerbate existing inequalities, strain resources, and potentially lead to heightened conflicts. It also emphasizes the need for new policies that recognize climate migrants, protect their rights, and provide sustainable solutions for both origin and destination areas. By bringing attention to this hidden crisis, the article seeks to inform policymakers, scholars, and the public about the urgent need to address climate migration as a critical component of climate change adaptation and global security.

A major drawback of sediment bypass tunnels is the potential for severe invert abrasion due to intense bedload sediment transport. This paper briefly describes the abrasion phenomena as well as the available models used to predict invert material loss. The application and calibration is demonstrated on the basis of the Mud Mountain sediment bypass tunnel, Washington, USA.

A fundamental premise of river management is that practitioners understand the resource they are working with. In river management this requires that baseline information is available on the structure, function, health and trajectory of rivers. Such information provides the basis to contextualise, to plan, to be proactive, to prioritise, to set visions, to set goals and to undertake objective, pragmatic, transparent and evidence-based decision making. In this paper we present the State-wide NSW River Styles database, the largest and most comprehensive dataset of geomorphic river type, condition and recovery potential available in Australia. The database is an Open Access product covering over 216,600 km of stream length in an area of 802,000 km2. The availability of the database presents unprecedented opportunities to systematically consider river management issues at local, catchment, regional and state-wide scales, and appropriately contextualise applications in relation to progra...

Water is one of the copiously accessible assets in nature. Solitary 2.5% of the Earth's water is fresh water and 98.8% is accounted for ice and groundwater. A lesser amount of than 0.3% of all freshwater is present in water bodies such as rivers, lakes and the atmosphere. Still slighter quantity of the Earth's freshwater (0.003%) is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products (Jain et al., 2014). Groundwater is the water situated underneath the earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the cracks of rock formations. A component of rock deposit is called an aquifer when it be able to give up a functional amount of water. The intensity at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock be converted into entirely saturated with water is called the water table. Groundwater provides nearly 22% of the world’ supply of fresh water. Groundwater has become as a remarkably vital freshwater reserve and its rising demand for agriculture, domestic and industri...

In the home atmosphere, Bangladeshi native artists embrace the world art extravaganza by the Asian Art Biennale, which started in 1981. From the very beginning, Japan has been one of the committed and regular participants in the biennale. Generally, contemporary Bangladeshi art practitioners pay attention to the Asian Biennale for its contribution, especially in the early two decades. In this article, I examine the interaction between Bangladeshi and Japanese art through the lens of the biennale. Bangladeshi contemporary art features new trends that started in the 1980s and 1990s. In those two decades, new ideas were introduced that differed from previous art practices. Young artists from those two decades in Bangladesh, who sparked themselves with experimentation, later received national or international recognition. I explored the artistic temperament of those decades in the context of Japanese works exhibited at the Asian Biennale. This article aims to contribute to rethinking global cultural politics within the creative sphere of Asia, particularly South Asia. This research will encourage a reassessment of the implementation strategies of the Asian Biennale and partially revitalize global partnerships in a broader context, contributing to sustainable development (SDG 17).

Watershed management and sustainability have gained significant global attention due to escalating environmental, socioeconomic , and governance challenges. This study presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) aimed at identifying and synthesizing key driving factors that influence watershed management and sustainability. A comprehensive search was conducted exclusively in the Scopus database, covering publications from 2013 to 2023. Through PRISMA-based screening and thematic analysis of 193 relevant studies, a total of 37 driving factors were identified. These factors were classified into three main domains: biophysical (7 factors), socioeconomic (13 factors), and institutional (17 factors). The findings reveal that institutional factors are most prominently emphasized, followed by socioeconomic and biophysical dimensions. This synthesis provides a holistic understanding of the complex and interconnected elements that drive watershed sustainability. The insights derived are intended to inform future research, support evidence-based policymaking, and strengthen integrated watershed management practices across diverse geographic and socio-political contexts.

The role of geomorphic processes in flood risk is understudied in the management context. In the United States, only nine states have explored this role and only two -Vermont and Washington Statehave developed and implemented legally binding geomorphic-based flood risk management; both rely on the concept of geomorphic assessment, through which fluvial geomorphic processes are documented and river corridors are mapped. Massachusetts, having incurred substantial damages from landslides, bank failures, bed incision, and sedimentation in recent years, has initiated a programme to examine the inclusion of geomorphic processes into flood risk management. At its core, the programme relies on participation of flood risk management stakeholders representing government (local, state, and federal), non-governmental organisations, consulting agencies, academia, and industry. A series of workshops with these stakeholders over 4 years has culminated in a needs assessment that articulates what must be included in the development of a Massachusetts fluvial geomorphic assessment programme. In this report, we share the results of this needs assessment. We do this in the hope that other jurisdictions incurring flood damages from geomorphic processes may find it to be a useful model as they work to mitigate these damages.

„Részemről egyetlen megyére sem voltam kénytelen aránylag annyi időt és fáradtságot fordítani, mint Bács- és Bodrog megyére.” Csánki Dezső szavai jól tükrözik, hogy a középkori Magyar Királyság déli felének kutatása mennyire körülményes és nehéz feladat. Az alábbi tanulmányban arra teszünk kísérletet, hogy a Délvidék egyik virágzó és rendkívül sűrű középkori településhálózattal rendelkező régiójának, Bodrog vármegyének a településhálózatát bemutassuk a 16. század török deftereinek a segítségével, melyek a
szórványosnak és hézagosnak tekinthető középkori forrásainkkal ellentétben szisztematikusan leltárba vették a térség városait, falvait, pusztáit.2 A két korszak forrásanyagát egymás kiegészítéseképpen dolgoztuk fel, segítségével az eddigieknél részletesebb képet tudunk adni e vidék török hódítás utáni sorsáról. Első lépésként bemutatnánk azt a két projektet, amelyek lehetővé tették vállalkozásunkat a településhálózat feltárására.

The diversity of aquatic biota in two large river systems of The Netherlands, viz. the Lower Rhine and Meuse, is discussed in order to: (1) reveal historical changes in biodiversity; (2) examine the role of river-floodplain connectivity; (3) set guide lines for ecological river management. The taxonomical diversity, or species richness, is used to describe the former and recent state of aquatic biota in these river systems. The ecological diversity, obtained by incorporating the concept of ecological groups into the concept of biodiversity, appears very useful in delineating guide-lines for ecological river management. The present species richness in the main channels still appears to be relatively low, despite major water quality improvements. Although present biodiversity is much improved compared with a few decades ago, it is evident that the present species are mainly eurytopic, including many exotics. The inhibition of a further biodiversity recovery results from river regulation and normalization, which have caused the deterioration and functional isolation of main channel and floodplain biotopes. The importance of connectivity for the diversity of aquatic biota is found to be different for various taxa. Moreover, a transversal zonation by the biota in the floodplain lakes is found, emphazising the importance of differences in the degree of connectivity for a diverse aquatic flora and fauna. It is concluded that floodplain lakes contribute significantly to the total biodiversity of the entire riverine ecosystem. The redevelopment of active secondary channels is required to restore the most typical riverine habitats and biota.

Using water resources for hydro-electricity production influences and limits the quality and quantity of habitat available for use by resident fishes. Changes in the fish community structure after setting minimum flow conditions have been more frequently studied than the behavioural adaptations of fish living in the vicinity of the disturbed river section. In the River Amblève (River Meuse basin, Belgium), a hydraulic power plant bypasses the river over a length of 10 km. Adult nase Chondrostoma nasus (n=10) and barbel Barbus barbus (n=8) were captured in the restitution zone of the turbinated flow several weeks before their reproduction periods. They were equipped with implant radio transmitters and manually and intensively tracked over several months to more than 1 year. The environmental conditions (water temperature and flow) as well as the geomorphology of the river were compared in both natural and flow-regulated sections. Nase and barbel demonstrated the capacity to map their contrasted environment and adapted their space and habitat utilisation as well as the choice of their spawning sites in relation with their specific biological characteristics and the environmental variations. The results are discussed in the context of the management of fish movements in flow-regulated rivers.

Preservation of a good ecological status in riverine habitats emerged as a priority for water management policies in Europe since the negative impact caused by the construction and operation of dams on the ecohydrology and habitat availability became more evident. Ecological flows, as reported in the recently published European guidance, represent a link between water and habitat EU Directives. This study presents the application of a mesohabitat simulation model (MesoHABSIM) to evaluate and quantify ecological flows in a highly regulated Mediterranean watershed (Nestos River, Northern Greece). Data collection was performed through GIS/GPS mapping surveys, hydro-morphological measurements (water depth, flow, substratum type, etc.) and electrofishing samplings at mesohabitat scale under different discharge conditions. In total, 81 hydromorphological units were surveyed and 7532 fish samples were collected to develop habitat suitability predictions. Ecological flows were calculated in the range 10-15 m 3 /s as the required discharge which assures the welfare and sustainability of protected fish species populations. In the lower course of the Nestos River habitat time-series indicated irrigation abstractions as a major stressor since summer was the period where habitat availability thresholds were mostly violated. Application of a revised water management plan is required for the downstream part of the Nestos River in order to maintain high ecological standards in the Natura 2000 sites of the Delta.

Nestos/Mesta river is a typical transboundary river located in the Eastern Balkans, flowing through Bul garia and Greece. During the last decades, various efforts have been undertaken on promoting the awareness for integrated management and protection within the framework of international le gislation and thus directly contributing to the evaluation of river's ecosystem status through fish bio-indicators. This study presents an integrated and update list of Nestos/Mesta fish fauna throughout the whole river course and its tributaries. A total number of 25 freshwater fish species were recorded. Thirteen species were characterized as native or endemic for the broader river ba sin. Furthermore, seven species were characterized as translocated and another five as exotic. These latter species found a favorable environment in the two dam lakes, created for hydropower pro duction, consisting the 28.66% of the total catches. On the contrary, along Nestos/Mesta river cour se, the autochthonous species dominate.

There are many obstacles in rivers that prevent or hinder passage of fish past barriers. Here, we present a specially designed solution for juvenile and adult brown trout so that they may to swim past discharge-regulating weirs in the upper Caraş River in both the upstream and downstream directions. The proposed solution relies on gravity flow and will have current velocities that will not inhibit weak swimmers swimming upstream to pass the weirs. Corrosion-resistant materials and the absence of components that could potentially injure the fish will be used in the construction of these technical solutions. Although testing of the functionality of this solutions for upstream - downstream and downstream - upstream passage of weirs is needed, we believe that if implemented, it should improve connectivity especially for brown trout and consequently conserve within-stream genetic diversity in the Caraş River and where appropriate in alike other Carpathian lotic systems with similar types...

Calculating scour potential in a stream or river is as much a geomorphological art as it is an exact science. The complexity of stream hydraulics and heterogeneity of river-bed materials makes scour predictions in natural channels uncertain. Uncertain scour depths near high-hazard flood-risk zones and flood-risk management structures lead to over-designed projects and difficult flood-risk management decisions. This Regional Sediment Management technical report presents an approach for estimating scour by providing a decision framework that future practitioners can use to compute scour potential within a riverine environment. This methodology was developed through a partnership with the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Hydrologic Engineering Center, and St. Paul District in support of the Lower American River Contract 3 project in Sacramento, CA.

Several social scientists have dealt with the usefulness of a participative approach in development plans. The call for sustainable development has increased the focus on this type of approach in a very classical way, which is the case for the creation of new water tanks. Most of these scientists have also pinpointed the major difficulties and failures faced during the execution of this new approach in developing countries. This study is a concrete example which underlines the lack of this type of approach as far as water management in the Senegal River is concerned, mainly in relation to watershed. We base our study on the analysis and criticism of the regional organization OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River) which is in charge of water management in the Senegal River. The results of the study can, therefore, be summed up as follows: (i) An on-site direct observation, individual interviews, group discussion and information analysis point out the lack of participation of local people in water management in the Senegal River and, in general, the harmful socio-economic impacts resulting from it. (ii) The reasons for this lack of participative approach are mainly due to the model set up by the OMVS in terms of water management in the Senegal River, a model that has excluded or tackled in a very light way the issue of public participation in decision-making through out its juridical and regulation instruments. (iii) Elements of consideration on some measures, which could possibly improve the level of participation of local people in river water management.

In the Rhine-Meuse delta in the south-western part of the Netherlands, the morphology of the river branches is highly dependent on the erodibility of the subsoil. Erosion processes that were initiated after closure of the Haringvliet estuary branch by a dam (in 1970), caused a strong incision of several connecting branches. Due to the geological evolution of this area the

River rehabilitation framed within a recovery-enhancement approach uses an understanding of river morphology, behavior and trajectory as a basis for improving river condition. In many parts of the world this is a preferable alternative to 'command-and-control' approaches that rely on hard engineering. Rehabilitation based on recoveryenhancement -or working with natural processes -recognises and supports 'nature-based solutions' that allow a river to 'self-heal' following disturbance. On-ground activities commonly use strategic passive interventions, such as vegetation plantings, targeted weed management and livestock exclusion, and only when and where necessary. However, in addition to the biophysical processes that are driving recovery, human processes can also allow or constrain possibilities for recovery. Although biophysical and human processes are interrelated, it is often the case that they are researched and managed in isolation, which is problematic from a coupled human-and-natural systems perspective. This paper examines relationships between human and physical (geomorphic) processes in river recovery through the lens of sociogeomorphology, which recognises that rivers are simultaneously produced by, and producing, physical and social processes with on-ground implications for river recovery. Using a case study from the Macdonald River in New South Wales, southeast Australia, we demonstrate how a sociogeomorphic perspective on geomorphic river recovery reveals linkages between biophysical (geomorphic, hydrological and ecological) processes and human (economic, demographic, land use and policy) processes, which all have contributed to recovery following disturbances associated with European settlement in the area some 200 years ago. Removal of vegetation and wood, along with active channel widening and the formation of a sediment slug after historical flooding produced a system that by the 1940s was in poor geomorphic condition. With change in land management practices and the demographics of the area, geomorphic river recovery has commenced since approximately the 1980s and continues today. Recognition of linkages between human and physical processes, through a sociogeomorphic perspective, leads to an integrative understanding of the river system, its history and potential future trajectories of river recovery. For river management planning, this presents an opportunity to recognise and act on opportunities and challenges in river rehabilitation in order to support the best possible outcomes for river health and the ecosystems they support.

This paper is focused on the investigation of the characteristics of flow patterns and bed deformation around river training structures like groins with emphasis on the so-called bandal-like structures. Through laboratory experiments and numerical simulations, the complex sediment transport mechanism influenced by bandal-like structures is clarified. The experimental studies were conducted in a straight flume with two structures positioned on one side of channel for the measurements of the velocity field and deformed bed level near the structures under lived-bed scour condition. A morphological model based on unstructured meshes was developed to simulate the flow patterns and bed variation around the structures, which solves the RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes) equations for 3D flow calculation with the standard k-ε model for turbulence closure, and the sediment transport calculation considering the bed load transport rate through the mass-balance equation. The experimental and numerical results for flow velocity distributions and deformed bed level around the structures field were analyzed and the applicability of bandal-like structures as a low cost alternative method compared to the conventional structures as groins is discussed.

The present investigation is focused on river bed variation caused by flow patterns around Bandal-like structure in channels. This type of structure have been used from the past in the Indian Sub-Continent to protect the river bank from erosion and to maintain the navigational conditions in alluvial rivers as the Jamuna river in Bangladesh. Few laboratory studies and field observations using Bandal-like structures was realized to verify the real applicability of them as an alternative structure over conventional river training structures as groins (impermeable and permeable ones). To clarify the effectiveness of Bandals in river morphology, detailed investigation about the complex flow structures and sediment transport mechanism influenced by Bandal-like structures was realized. Laboratory experiments were conducted in a straight flume with two structures positioned on one side of channel to the measurements of the velocity field and bed level near the structures under live-bed scour condition. A morphological model based on unstructured meshes was developed to simulate the flow patterns and bed variation around these structures. The experimental and numerical results of flow distributions and bed level variation around each type of structure were analyzed. The Bandal-like structure shows promising results as the reduction of local scour around them and deposition of sediment at downstream of Bandals in comparison with the conventional structures as groins.

Urbanisation has resulted in rapid geomorphic changes and ecosystem degradation in many streams worldwide. The question of how channel response to urbanisation can be accurately predicted amid multiple driving factors remains a significant scientific challenge. Numerous efforts have been made to address this issue over the past 80 years. Nevertheless, channel response resulting from urbanisation differs across physiographic regions, making it difficult to predict. The main goal of this study is to investigate the most important factors influencing morphological changes, such as channel area, in streams with urbanised catchments. To accomplish this aim, we reviewed the literature on the application of hydraulic geometry models to urban-impacted rivers worldwide. We set out to investigate two specific questions: (i) to what extent and under what circumstances can urban stream bankfull cross-sectional area be predicted by catchment area and impervious cover metrics? and (ii) is stream bankfull width more susceptible than stream bankfull depth to urban-induced enlargement? However, over 90 % of the urban channels studied in the literature we reviewed showed irregular response patterns to urbanisation, owing to the complex interplay of local factors, such as geology, sediment, hardpoints, and riparian vegetation. Our most important conclusion is that local context is an important controller of stream channel response to urbanisation. While catchment area is a good predictor of channel area in some urban sites, it is a poor predictor of channel area in other urban sites. This contrasts with non-urban sites, where catchment area usually predicts channel area more strongly. In addition, impervious cover alone, which represents the direct hydrological impact of urbanisation, is insufficient to fully explain channel enlargement and incision. Therefore, models of channel response to urbanisation must consider the specific local factors that drive or limit these responses in order to be effective as predictive and explanatory tools.

The fate of material placed during dredging operations within the James River (Dancing Point-Swann Point reach) at a channel adjacent placement mound was modeled within this work. The study focuses on the potential migration of the placement mound into the channel as well as the transport of sediment resuspended during placement. A select combination of US Army Engineer Research and Development-developed models was utilized in this work to appropriately simulate hydrodynamic conditions, pipeline discharge near field suspended sediment estimates, far field transport of the pipeline discharge source term, and mound migration. Results show that the material released into the water column during placement remains in the placement area or is transported out of the area of interest downstream. A small fraction of sediment from the placement mound migrates into the channel after placement. The finegrained nature of these sediments precludes these small volumes of sediment from depositing in the channel where the currents are strong. The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR.

To describe and evaluate all the complexities and to develop river ecosystem management plans, it is necessary to examine all the components at different spatial and temporal scales. In this regard, a key step for this is hydromorphological characterization, looking at rivers from a perspective that discloses the relevant processes and forms. The aim of this study is to classify, evaluate, and determine the hydromorphological condition of the Khormarud River in Golestan province, Iran, by employing the integrated application of the Morphological Quality Index (MQI) and the Morphological Quality Index for monitoring (MQIm). In the first step, using remote sensing and GIS, field survey as well as some data and hydromophological information, the river system was divided into spatial units including bio-geographical regions, watersheds, landscapes, river segments, river reaches, and geomorphic units. In the second step, the main characteristics studied from the geographical units to the river segment and reach units were described. The above information is used to determine the hydromorphological status of reaches by MQI and MQIm methods. Based on the analysis of MQI, 15 reaches are placed in very poor and poor classes. In contrast, nine and two reaches are placed in moderate and good classes, respectively. The difference among MQI index values across the reaches is significant at 5% level. In addition, the difference among MQIm index values for the two periods, before and after human interventions, in the investigated reach is significant at 5% level. For most reaches, the lowest scores are related to the indicators of vegetation, functional, morphology, and stream changes, respectively. By integrating the MQI and MQIm indices, a more comprehensive view of the hydromorphological condition can be gained, particularly regarding its temporal changes, trends, and tendencies. The integration of the MQI and MQIm indices for hydromorphological condition assessment can be applied to other river basins in Iran by adapting the methods and approaches presented in the results of this study.

There are many obstacles in rivers that prevent or hinder passage of fish past barriers. Here, we present a specially designed solution for juvenile and adult brown trout so that they may to swim past discharge-regulating weirs in the upper Caraş River in both the upstream and downstream directions. The proposed solution relies on gravity flow and will have current velocities that will not inhibit weak swimmers swimming upstream to pass the weirs. Corrosion-resistant materials and the absence of components that could potentially injure the fish will be used in the construction of these technical solutions. Although testing of the functionality of this solutions for upstream - downstream and downstream - upstream passage of weirs is needed, we believe that if implemented, it should improve connectivity especially for brown trout and consequently conserve within-stream genetic diversity in the Caraş River and where appropriate in alike other Carpathian lotic systems with similar types...

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES will take place in Doha, Qatar from March 13th-25th, 2010 and will see the 175 Parties of CITES make key decisions on over 40 proposals to amend the Appendices to CITES, as well as debate crucial implementation and institutional issues, and related Resolutions and Decisions affecting species trade and conservation. This briefing examines a number of the issues to be discussed, focussing on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, African elephants, polar bears, sharks, tigers and corals, and concludes with some of the strategic issues that need to be addressed at this important Conference. This document was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in the context of the ENVI Delegation to the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES.

This paper introduces the inaugural rapid evaluation of river dolphin habitats, coinciding with managed sites in Asia and South America. Covering all six river dolphin species (including the sole freshwater porpoise worldwide), each is classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Conservation Assured | River Dolphin Standards (CA|RDS) offer tailored guidelines for the proficient oversight of protected areas for river dolphins. The abbreviated CA|RDS version, termed CA|RDS Lite, involves a questionnaire-based survey conducted by managers and stakeholders at 40 sites across 10 of the 14 countries within the river dolphin range. Both continents face river dolphin endangerment from fishing and climate change. In Asia, risks are more diverse, with smaller populations compared to South America. Insufficient funding and management capacity emerge as significant hurdles. Inadequate collaboration with areas outside the protected area boundary impedes effective river dolphin population management. Encouragingly, the survey highlights active involvement of local communities and stakeholders in site management. CA|RDS Lite offers a quick overview of site management efficacy, pinpointing crucial management requirements and urgent river dolphin sites necessitating intervention. It also sets the stage for the complete application of CA|RDS standards and their use as an accreditation and management instrument.

The Brahmaputra basin in North East India constitutes an extremely
unstable seismic region of the world. The impact of the major earthquakes on the regime of the river with its host of tributaries and the large number of water bodies (wetlands) strewn over the flood plains is no doubt very significant. However, no serious efforts have so far been made to collate and sieve through the pile of scientific data and observations available so far relating to the effects of major earthquakes vis-à-vis the regime of rivers and morphology and behaviour of channels. Tectonics and denudation of the Himalayas and alluviation of the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam are
concomitant phenomena (Goswami, 1985). There appears to be phases of rapid aggradation of the Brahmaputra channel associated with earthquakes followed by relatively slower removal of accumulated debris over longer time periods. Major earthquake episodes of Assam appear to be separated by a period of seismic quiescence. In the present paper an attempt is made to present a comprehensive and coherent report on the hydrologic and geomorphic impact of the last two major earthquakes of this region viz. 1897 and 1950, based on examination and analysis of data and
information available in published research, official reports and other documents. These earthquakes caused extensive landslips and rock-falls on hillslopes, subsidence and fissuring of ground in the valley, and changes in the course and configuration of the rivers. The effects of the earthquakes are discussed here under six different categories viz. (i) landslides on the hillslopes including blockage of river courses (ii) flash floods
due to sudden bursting of landslide-induced temporary dams (iii) raising of river beds due to heavy siltation, fissuring and sand venting (iv) subsidence/elevation of existing river and lake bottoms and margins and creation of new water bodies and waterfalls due to faulting. Several examples are cited to illustrate each of the categories mentioned.

The Lower Missouri River (LMOR) has been altered in both its channel form and flow regime by channelization and upstream dams. As a result, habitat availability for many fish species has been greatly modified or lost. One fish species, the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), is on the federal endangered species list. Although the habitat needs of the pallid sturgeon throughout its life cycle are poorly understood, the perceived needs of this fish are having an increasing influence on river management decisions. Current management debate addresses the tradeoff between rehabilitating channel form and altering flow regime to improve habitat. To evaluate habitat availability on the LMOR, we developed a 2-dimensional, depth-averaged hydrodynamic model of a representative 8-km reach near Boonville, Missouri. The model provides an inventory of hydraulic habitat over discharges ranging 1-99 % flow exceedance. To evaluate habitat use, we used acoustically tagged shovelnose sturgeon (Scap...

A group of river managers, stakeholders, and scientists met during summer 2005 to design a more naturalized flow regime for the Lower Missouri River (LMOR). The objective was to comply with requirements under the U.S. Endangered Species Act to support reproduction and survival of threatened and endangered species, with emphasis on the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), while minimizing negative effects to existing social and economic benefits of prevailing river management. Specific hydrograph requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction are unknown, hence much of the design process was based on features of the natural flow regime. Environmental flow components (EFCs) extracted from the reference natural flow regime were used to design and assess performance of alternative flow regimes.The design process incorporated a primary stage in which conceptual hydrographs were developed and assessed for their general ecological and social‐economic performance. The second st...