Wednesday 2nd of july – from 10:30 to 19:00
Session B3 : Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions
Restoring water courses and their wetlands to support fish spawning and mitigate inundations: on how the SMBVPM is planning such projects with the support of the Scalgo Live platform
ROBICHON Noémie, MONTECOT Marion, LERER Sara
Denmark
Short abstract : The Syndicat Mixte des Bassins Versants de la Pointe Médoc in the Médoc region of Gironde (33) is planning multiple projects of restauration of wetlands and smaller water courses within its area of juristication. The project reponsibles have tested the interactive platform Scalgo Live and find it extremely useful for planning this type of projects. Scalgo Live provides ready-to-use analyses of surface flow paths and likey-inondated areas based on the national DTM, as well as tools that allow to quickly sketch modifications to the terrain and assess the impact of the considered interventions. Below, er briefly describe how three different projects of reactivation of wetlands were investigated and planned, including diverting flows from the channeled branch of the Deyre into its ancient bed, and lowering banks along the two water courses that surround the city of Lesparre-Médoc to inundate the former wetlands upstream the city rather than the city centre.
Digital Twin for Nature-Based Solutions: Case Studies on River Improvement and Ecological Restoration Integrating Flood Control, Landscape, and Environment
OHTSUKI Kazuaki, MAKINO Atsushi, ITSUKUSHIMA Rei, HASHIMOTO Masakazu, NAKAMURA Keigo, SATO Takahiro, KONO Takanori, NISHIHIRO Jun
Japan
Short abstract : Japan’s river management has shifted to balance flood control and environmental goals, with milestones like the 1997 River Law revision and 2006 Nature-oriented Management. Climate change has increased flooding, prompting the 2020 “Resilience by All” concept, emphasizing stakeholder collaboration. Nature-based solutions (NbS), such as green infrastructure and ecological restoration, remain a key challenge. Technologies like 3D modeling, ALB, and digital twins enhance decision-making and public engagement, while prototypes demonstrate NbS effectiveness in flood control and habitat restoration. Despite challenges in data management and early NbS integration, these tools promise a resilient, sustainable approach to river management.
A UK perspective on river management: future challenges.
JEFFRIES Richard
United-Kingdom
Short abstract : Good river management (regulation, restoration, resilience) is the key to good catchment management. It is especially important in the context of changing climate, food and energy security, and evolving environmental policy.
This paper will outline the situation in England as a case study to inform discussion on future river management.
It will describe some of the key challenges faced in England including
- Understanding the scale of the problem. We lack comprehensive geospatial data on geomorphological pressures. We will outline the challenge and some examples of how we are aiming to overcome them.
- The importance of society valuing healthy natural rivers. We will explain the complexity of valuing the natural environment especially geomorphology, and the tools we are using to help.
- Turning science into tools that can be used at a catchment scale
- Evolving environmental policy in England, and how geomorphological science is being used to inform future policy.
Flood Management and Biodiversity Conservation in Urban Watersheds of Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Towards the Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions
ITSUKUSHIMA Rei, ADNAN Shalahuddin, OHTSUKI Kazuaki, SATO Tatsuro, MATSUSHIMA Soma
Japan
Short abstract : For sustainable development, reducing disaster risks and conserving biodiversity are global challenges, with increasing demand for watershed management that includes ecosystem conservation based on Nature-based Solutions (NbS). However, planning methods for such approaches are not established in monsoon Asia, a region of high temperatures, humidity, and population density. This study focuses on urban watersheds in Malaysia, which face flood damage and ecosystem degradation due to development. Using hydrological observations and biodiversity surveys, it aims to clarify the impacts of land use changes on flood runoff and biodiversity. The goal of this study is to propose watershed management strategies to mitigate flood damage and conserve biodiversity. Land use changes were examined through topographic maps, revealing that in 1926, no urban areas existed, but rapid urbanization transformed wetlands into urban areas, reducing forests. An RRI-based flood model was developed, accurately reproducing past flood extents. Fish surveys captured 2,727 individuals across 19 species from 13 families, revealing dominance of exotic species downstream and rare native species upstream. These findings suggest that restoration of floodplain species could be achieved through retention ponds and wetland rehabilitation. The flood model will help assess the effectiveness of flood risk management strategies and their impact on fish fauna, aiming to clarify flood mitigation measures that support biodiversity conservation and restoration.
An Approach to Creating Attractive National, Urban, and Regional Development through the Evaluation of Green Infrastructure and Its Social Implementation
MIYAGAWA Yukio, SUZUKI Toshihiro, WADA Akira, NAITO Masahiko, MURAKAMI Akinobu, YOSHIDA Takehito, OSAWA Takeshi, NAKAMURA Keigo, NISHIHIRO Jun, NAKAMURA Futoshi
Japan
Short abstract : With the changes in climate change and social conditions, the social demands for infrastructure development and management are also evolving. In this context, the importance of green infrastructure is increasing, and its enhancement has been agreed upon in frameworks such as the G7 and other international agreements. The successful implementation of green infrastructure requires cross-sectoral efforts involving academia, industry, and government, as well as the application of new technologies. The purpose of this project is to propose new value creation for green infrastructure as a contribution to the development of attractive national lands, cities, and regions. Specifically, this project aims to evaluate the effects of green infrastructure, incorporating perspectives such as well-being, and propose a data infrastructure for effective planning. It also explores incentives such as improvements in planning and systems, certification schemes, and the monetization of environmental values, while testing their effectiveness in multiple regions. To effectively implement these results in society, the project also involves practical initiatives for regional development through public-private partnerships using green infrastructure, with several model regions set up for this purpose.
Session B4 : Restoring rivers: co-constructing projects
Assembling River Perspectives: Using a Jigsaw Puzzle to Co-Create a Traveling Danube Exhibition
COSTEA Gabriela, DE KINDER Pippa, PUSCH Martin
Germany
Short abstract : Sustainable river and floodplain restoration require active participation from stakeholders and citizens. To support this, we implemented a co-creation approach to gather public suggestions for conceptualizing a traveling exhibition on the Danube River, focusing on environmental education about river and floodplain management.
Using an Interactive Collaborative Danube4all Puzzle Wall as an innovative engaging methodology, over 300 participants across 10 locations from the upper, middle and lower Danube regions were inspired to contribute their ideas on key messages, critical topics, and preferred visualization methods for a traveling exhibition. Through the collaborative assembly of a large-format puzzle map of the Danube basin, participants share insights and express preferences, symbolizing the collective responsibility and shared effort required to address the critical challenges facing this vital system and its tributaries.
Joint optimization of hydroelectric production and management of water resources : insights concerning EDF optimization tools for balanced and sustainable management of water resources.
DOMENGET Alain, MATHEVET Thibault
France
Short abstract : 90% of EDF energy production in France relies on water resources: either directly for hydropower production or indirectly, as cold source to cool thermal cycles of nuclear or thermal power plants. EDF Hydro, manager of EDF hydroelectric power plants, optimizes the management of the stock of water resources stored in the dams (around 6 billion m3). The objective of this management is to respond to the needs of the electricity system, while satisfying many other water uses (irrigation, drinking water supply, tourism, drought mitigaiton, etc.) which concern nearly 2/3 of the hydraulic concessions. For many years, EDF R&D has been continuously developing a complete chain of power system modelling tools, one of the models (MORGANE model) being dedicated to the medium-term optimisation of hydroelectric stocks (from a 3-year horizon, up to a few hours), at the scale of a power plant, an hydroelectric valley or an ensemble of hydroelectric valleys, for operationnal or study needs. The objective of this paper is to present 1/ the fundamentals of the MORGANE model, 2/ cases of application of hydroelectric optimization and multi-use of water (tourism, irrigation, drought mitigation, etc.) and 3/ lessons learned from dialogue with stakehollders concerning multi-use of water.
Session B5 : Driftwood, between risk management and ecological restoration
Retrospective: Alternatives for multi-objective management of large wood during flood recovery
MOORE Michael, DEVEVEY Marie, BREILH Bertrand
France
Short abstract : At the end of 2023, communities in the Southern French Alps witnessed multiple extreme flow events. Faced with the challenge of rapidly re-securing sectors made vulnerable by erosion or avulsion of streams, local river managers sought opportunities to act quickly and cost effectively, while preserving a maximum of natural fluvial function. An inevitable part of this challenge was the management of large wood to address the hazard or the perceived risk associated with its presence.
Seeking to meet security requirements while optimizing the preservation of in-stream wood for its ecological and morphological benefits resulted in the implementation of a number of techniques that added value to these flood recovery efforts while limiting cost. Taking into account the varying constraints and demands of different reaches, the various strategies employed included partial extraction, burying, realignment of wood into erosion pockets, stabilization of members, and the integration of large wood as a structural and diffusive element into bioengineered bank stabilization structures.
Modelling Large Wood Dynamics in the Allier River
ENNOUINI Wafae, PERSI Elisabetta, RAVAZZOLO Diego, PETACCIA Gabriella, SIBILLA Stefano, HORTOBÁGYI Borbála, PIÉGAY Hervé
Italy
Short abstract : Wood dynamics in rivers is strongly connected to geomorphological, ecological and hydraulic processes, which are affected, and in turn affect, wood transport and deposition. Such intricate influences often prevent a clear understanding of the mutual effects. Collaborative effort is thus required, combining field data, analytical research and numerical modelling to clarify the relevant dynamics. Numerical models of wood transport may be particularly helpful in simulating unknown or future scenarios, provided that they can accurately replicate the most relevant processes. Their calibration on available RFID wood monitoring field data is thus critical. In this contribution, the model ORSA2D_WT is applied to a reach of the Allier River, for which hydrological and topographical data are available, together with field observations about wood transport and deposition. After the first phase of hydraulic model calibration, the wood dynamics will be modelled, to (i) calibrate and extend the capabilities of the entrainment model, with particular attention to stable wood, and then to (ii) analyse the effect of river morphology in influencing wood entrapment.
When trees sink into water: Why our rivers need woody debris (and you too)! Feedback from abroad)
WEROCHOWSKI Antoine
France
Short abstract : River resilience in the face of climate change: nature-based solutions and river management
Wood reintroduction in rivers provides a wide range of ecological and environmental benefits, supporting biodiversity, regulating water flows and nutrients, contributing to carbon sequestration, and facilitating morphological restoration aquatic ecosystems. In the context of climate change and biodiversity loss, this simple but powerful practice can play a key role in the resilience of river ecosystems and in combating negative environmental impacts. We will take stock of feedback from abroad