Channel degradation and restoration of an Alpine river and related morphological changes

Campana, Daniela; Marchese, Enrico; Theule, Joshua; Comiti, Francesco

doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.06.016

Cited by 59 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…A remarkable feature of the Adige planform before channelization was the presence of anabranching reaches, characterized by multiple, relatively stable secondary channels with large forested islands. At that time, this pattern was quite common in mild‐sloping (0.1–0.3%), wide valleys of the Alps (Comiti, ; Campana et al ., ) as well as in other large European rivers, such as the Danube (Hohensinner et al ., , b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Channelization of a large Alpine river: what is left of its original morphodynamics?

Scorpio

Zen

Bertoldi

et al. 2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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The Adige River drains 12 200 km2 of the Eastern Alps and flows for 213 km within this mountain range. Similar to other large rivers in Central Europe, the Adige River was subject to massive channelization works during the 19th century. Thanks to the availability of several historical maps, this river represents a very valuable case study to document the extent to which the morphology of the river changed due to channelization and to understand how much is left of its original morphodynamics. The study was based on the analysis of seven sets of historical maps dating from 1803–1805 to 1915–1927, on geomorphological analysis, on the application of mathematical morphodynamic theories and on the application of bar and channel pattern prediction models. The study concerns 115 km of the main stem and 29 km of its tributaries. In the pre‐channelization conditions, the Adige River presented a prevalence of single‐thread channel planforms. Multi‐thread patterns developed only immediately downstream of the main confluences. During the 19th century, the Adige underwent considerable channel adjustment, consisting of channel narrowing, straightening, and reduction of bars and islands. Multi‐thread and single‐thread reaches evolved through different evolutionary trajectories, considering both the channel width and the bar/vegetation interaction. Bar and channel pattern predictors showed good correspondence with the observed patterns, including the development of multi‐thread morphologies downstream of the confluences. Application of the free‐bar predictor helped to interpret the strong reduction – almost complete loss – of exposed sediment bars after the channelization works, quantifying the riverbed inclination to form alternate bars. This morphological evolution can be observed in other Alpine rivers of similar size and similar massive channelization, therefore, a simplified conceptual model for large rivers subjected to channelization is proposed, showing that a relatively small difference in the engineered channel width may have a strong impact on the river dynamics, specifically on bar formation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even analyses performed on large Alpine river systems (Surian et al ., ; Comiti et al ., ; Ziliani and Surian, ) have focused especially on reaches with a predominantly braided morphology, excluding the work by Campana et al . ().…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Channelization of a large Alpine river: what is left of its original morphodynamics?

Scorpio

Zen

Bertoldi

et al. 2018

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…Overall, the restoration interventions in the Ahr River at Gais led to an increased morphological quality at the reach scale (Campana et al, 2014), with almost negligible adverse effects in terms of increased morphological dynamics and related hazards. On the other hand, on a wider scale (i.e.…”

Section: Historical Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Potential future erosion Natural elements of confinement in Campana et al, 2014). Hence, this provides an opportunity for an expost application of the decision making framework.…”

Section: Historical Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A methodological framework for hydromorphological assessment, analysis and monitoring (IDRAIM) aimed at promoting integrated river management

et al. 2015

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“…The collection of bathymetric data for rivers and shallow coastal areas is still a challenge, although new technology in the form of topo-bathymetric lidar provides the potential to acquire detail in shallow areas at a similar resolution and accuracy as traditional topographic lidar. Campana et al [12] used bathymetric lidar to measure the topographic change of a river in the Italian Alps compared to manual river cross-section measurements. They conclude that bathymetric lidar offers great potential to monitor river evolution and to quantify morphological diversity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Flood Risk Assessment of the LaHave River Watershed, Canada Using GIS Techniques and an Unstructured Grid Combined River-Coastal Hydrodynamic Model

McGuigan

Webster

Collins

2015

JMSE

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Abstract:A flexible mesh hydrodynamic model was developed to simulate flooding of the LaHave River watershed in Nova Scotia, Canada, from the combined effects of fluvial discharge and ocean tide and surge conditions. The analysis incorporated high-resolution lidar elevation data, bathymetric river and coastal chart data, and river cross-section information. These data were merged to generate a seamless digital elevation model which was used, along with river discharge and tidal elevation data, to run a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model to produce flood risk predictions for the watershed. Fine resolution topography data were integrated seamlessly with coarse resolution bathymetry using a series of GIS tools. Model simulations were carried out using DHI Mike 21 Flexible Mesh under a variety of combinations of discharge events and storm surge levels. Discharge events were simulated for events that represent a typical annual maximum runoff and extreme events, while tide and storm surge events were simulated by using the predicted tidal time series and adding 2 and 3 m storm surge events to the ocean level seaward of the mouth of the river. Model output was examined and the maximum water level for the duration of each simulation was extracted and merged into one file that was used in a GIS to map the maximum flood extent and water depth. Upstream areas were most vulnerable to fluvial discharge events, the lower estuary was most vulnerable to the effect of storm surge and sea-level rise, and the Town of Bridgewater was influenced by the combined effects of OPEN ACCESS J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2015, 3 1094 discharge and storm surge. To facilitate the use of the results for planning officials, GIS flood risk layers were intersected with critical infrastructure, identifying the roads, buildings, and municipal sewage infrastructure at risk under each flood scenario. Roads were converted to points at 10 m spacing for inundated areas and appended with the flood depth calculated from the maximum water level subtracted from the lidar digital elevation model.

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Channel degradation and restoration of an Alpine river and related morphological changes

Cited by 59 publications

References 19 publications

Channelization of a large Alpine river: what is left of its original morphodynamics?

Channelization of a large Alpine river: what is left of its original morphodynamics?

A methodological framework for hydromorphological assessment, analysis and monitoring (IDRAIM) aimed at promoting integrated river management

A Flood Risk Assessment of the LaHave River Watershed, Canada Using GIS Techniques and an Unstructured Grid Combined River-Coastal Hydrodynamic Model

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