River restoration: not only for the sake of nature but also for saving money while addressing flood risk. A decision‐making framework applied to the Chiese River (Po basin, Italy)

Abstract

One of the key ideas of river restoration is that restoring rivers to a more natural status is desirable not only for pure environmental reasons but also to combat flood and geomorphic risk. This paper investigates whether this can be true even in a Mediterranean context, quite different from that of Northern Europe where European river restoration was born. Specifically, we evaluate whether the savings obtained from not implementing new protection works and from maintenance costs not spent – because of elimination of several existing works – exceed the likely increment of flooding and hydromorphological risk. Different conceptual approaches to the decision problem of flood control are synthesised within an integrated, three‐level, evaluation framework. The proposed evaluation framework is applied to a case study on the Chiese River (Po River basin, Italy). Results for this case study are presented. Finally, findings, limitations and potential for application are discussed, concluding that river restoration offers a viable pathway for improving the river environment while not incurring additional economic costs associated with classic flood risk management.

Riparian and in‐stream restoration of boreal streams and rivers: success or failure?

“…It aims to recreate certain physical, chemical or biological conditions, or various combinations of the three, with the expectation that natural structures and functions will begin to develop in response to the new conditions (Osborne and Kovacic, 1993;Stanford et al, 1996;Larson et al, 2001;Palmer et al, 2005;Beechie et al, 2008). This is manifested in restoration approaches such as re-naturalization of flows below dams (Tharme, 2003;Arthington, 2012;Nardini and Pavan, 2012), reconfiguration of channels (Roni et al, 2002;Shields et al, 2003) and dam removal (Bednarek, 2001;Lejon et al, 2009). This is manifested in restoration approaches such as re-naturalization of flows below dams (Tharme, 2003;Arthington, 2012;Nardini and Pavan, 2012), reconfiguration of channels (Roni et al, 2002;Shields et al, 2003) and dam removal (Bednarek, 2001;Lejon et al, 2009).…”

“…The most common strategy is to restore the abiotic environment, hoping that the biota will recover as a result of this, which is usually referred to as the 'Field of Dreams' hypothesis (Palmer et al, 1997). This is manifested in restoration approaches such as re-naturalization of flows below dams (Tharme, 2003;Arthington, 2012;Nardini and Pavan, 2012), reconfiguration of channels (Roni et al, 2002;Shields et al, 2003) and dam removal (Bednarek, 2001;Lejon et al, 2009). In recent years, doubts have been raised whether ecological communities can recover by simply restoring their habitat.…”

Demonstration Restoration Measures in Tributaries of the Vindel River Catchment

“…Growing awareness of the value of healthy ecosystems and the need to adapt to future changes in climate has put a focus on restoration of ecosystems, especially rivers (Bernhardt et al 2005, Palmer et al 2008, Arthington et al 2010. Recent river restoration approaches include renaturalization of flows; that is, environmental flows (Tharme 2003) and flood protection (Nardini and Pavan 2012); reconfiguration of channels (Nilsson et al 2005a); defragmentation, that is, dam removal (Bednarek 2001, Lejon et al 2009), and rebuilding of populations (Luhta et al 2012). There is a dearth of detailed, scientifically based guidelines for stream restoration.…”

Urban Floods in Lowlands—Levee Systems, Unplanned Urban Growth and River Restoration Alternative: A Case Study in Brazil

“…Plate [18] mentions that not only in Germany, but also in other countries, people are already talking about removing some of the existing flooding protection works, such as the existing dams, as a way of giving space back to nature and also because of the possibility of dam failure. Interesting alternatives to materialize actions like these can include government purchase of land or establishing agreements with landowners, so that the environmental services they provide can be recognized and remunerated [19]. Flood risk reduction is one of these services.…”