INTRODUCTION
River restoration has become an issue at the top of the agenda for water Authorities and river managers in Europe, especially due to the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EEC) which aims at improving the status of fluvial ecosystems in a broad, integrated, ecological perspective. At the same time river restoration is an important tool to implement other directives, such as 91/676/EEC (Nitrates), 92/43/EEC (Habitat), the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) and the upcoming Floods Directive.
River restoration is a challenging topic and involves a wide range of themes concerning planning strategy, implementation and project appraisal for a number of different types of river systems including upland, lowland and urban rivers. Topic areas addressed include hydrology, geomorphology, ecology and economics as, to be successful, restoration of freshwater ecosystems must incorporate all of these subjects within a holistic framework.
In the last decade river restoration projects, aimed at enhancing degraded river habitats and improving the wider river landscape, have increased. Each of such projects extends our knowledge of the restoration process, whether it be from a planning, ecological, hydrological or engineering point of view. Moreover, several experiences claim that river restoration can be the correct approach to face the increasingly challenging threat of flood hazards (and associated land-sliding phenomena).
When risk is considered, together with nature conservation, recreation, water quality, river restoration proves to be not only desirable, but even economically rewarding, despite the efforts it may require in terms of changing land-use patterns and socio-economic setting.
Introducing the term and concept of river restoration at the policy level would bring into the discussion the worldwide experience on the subject, with its ideas, knowledge from applied research, methodologies and techniques.
The ECRR wishes to collaborate with organizations and individuals operating in river restoration related sectors and can profitably share experiences and create synergies, thus increasing the opportunities for river restoration at a global scale.
The Chairman of ECRR
Bart Fokkens
National Centre for Water Management, The Netherlands
Previous ECRR international conferences
The three previous ECRR international conferences were held in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Brief reports are available below.
First ECRR conference on River Restoration
(September 1996, Silkeborg – Denmark)
In September 1996 the ECRR hosted its first international conference – River Restoration ’96 – in Silkeborg, Denmark. The aim of the conference was to provide environmental managers and scientists a forum for disseminating and discussing results and experience with the planning, execution and effect monitoring of river restoration projects throughout the world. The focus was on the ecological effects of various restoration measures in small lowland rivers, especially physical modification of watercourses and the effects this has on habitats and biota. The concept of rehabilitating streams and river system was discussed, and specific examples of rehabilitation projects were presented.
The four-day scientific programme thus covered many aspects of the restoration and management of river and catchment ecosystems, and provided some indication of the direction in which river restoration work is currently moving. In addition to plenary lectures, oral sessions and poster presentations, the programme also included a full day excursion to selected Danish stream restoration sites.
To download the proceedings:
- Hansen, H.O. & Madsen, B.L. (eds.) (1997)
River Restoration '96 - Plenary Lectures. - International conference arranged by the European Centre for River Restoration. National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark. 157 pp.
Download here
- Hansen, H.O. & Madsen, B.L. (eds.) (1998)
River Restoration '96 - Session Lectures Proceedings. International Conference Arranged by the European Centre for River Restoration. National Environmental Research Institute. 293 pp.
Download here.
Second ECRR conference on River Restoration
(15-19 May 2000, Wageningen – The Netherlands)
The conference ‘River Restoration 2000 – Practical Approaches’, organised by Rijkswaterstaat RIZA in Wageningen at an inspiring location with a view over the river Rhine, focused on the practical approaches in river restoration. The conference provided information on many aspects on river restoration, from presentations, workshops and discussions, keynote lectures and poster sessions. In addition, the conference excursion gave the opportunity to visit a number of Dutch restoration sites. Abstracts from the presentations are available on the ECRR home-page where the proceedings will also appear soon. Another goal of the conference was to contribute to the development of the ECRR pan-European network.
To download the proceedings:
- Nijland, H.J. & Cals, M.J.R. (Eds.) (2001)
River Restoration in Europe, Practical approaches.- Proceedings from the conference on river restoration, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 2000. - RIZA rapport nr. 2001.023. Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment/RIZA Lelystad, The Netherlands. 344 pp.
Download here (3.8 MB)
Third ECRR conference on River Restoration
(17-21 May 2004, Zagreb – Croatia)
ECRR and Croatian Waters organised the 3rd ECRR International Conference on River Restoration – Principles, Processes & Practises in Zagreb from 17-21 May 2004.
The conference concentrated on four topic areas:
- Integrated water management
- Conflict resolution
- Public participation
- Countries in transition to membership of EU
To download the proceedings:
- Geres, Dragutin (Ed.) (2004)
River Restoration 2004 - Principles, processes, practices. - Proceedings of the 3rd ECRR International Conference on River Restoration in Europe, Zagreb, Croatia. 401pp.
Download abstracts here (see "contents").