Sustainable use and management of alluvial plains in diked river areas

- The rivers which are the central subject of this project are mainly diked in order to ensure sufficient flood protection. The alluvial plains between the dikes grow constantly due to sedimentation which leads to the problem that the flow profile originally calculated is decreasing. This development is additionally enhanced through the natural succession of the alluvial plains. The whole process multiplies the risk, that the present dikes are not able to prevent future flood disasters.
- The authorities responsible are the water management agencies. As preventive measures, they have so far cleared alluvial plains and increased the water flow rate in riparian woods. However, these clearing activities (for example tree clearing) become more and more in contradiction to nature protection goals and existing regulations (NATURA 2000 and the respective national protection regulations). The need for integrated strategies is increasing.