Hydromorphological degradation of surface waters has been identified as a major reason for the risk of failing to achieve the ecological objectives under the EU-Water Framework Directive for the majority of European member states.
Therefore, river restoration is considered to be a priority measure to improve environmental conditions in streams for the next future. However, actual status and future impacts on the hydro-morphological system of rivers are complex and there are numerous relations not only to the ecological status of waters but to a wider range of EU environmental including urban wastewater, groundwater, nitrate, bathing waters and biodiversity.
Consequently, river restoration strategies have to be seen in a wider context of environmental objectives which may be efficiently achieved by a meaningful and strategic adjustment and combination of measures under different directives. As can be learned from current management practice the environmental potential of river restoration is far away from being fully exploited and the multiple environmental effects are still neglected for major concerns.