Publication details
The present stage of Fluvio-Geomorphological research in context of Euro-American Collaboration (Examples from Rhone River). First feedbacks on restored floodplain lakes sedimentation along the Rhone River
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| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Sedimentation rates and processes were studied in eighteen restored floodplain lakes and channels of the Rhône River in south-eastern France. Whilst many authors have studied the sedimentation in former channels before restoration, little is known about post-restoration sedimentation rates and processes since these are only now becoming evident. The objective of study was therefore to evaluate the variability in post-restoration habitat conditions inside of floodplain lakes (inter-lake comparison) and to consider the temporal evolution of habitat conditions. The increase of the minimum discharge in the old Rhône channel and the removal of sediments in the floodplain lakes were the main issues of the Rhône River restoration project. In addition, the minimum discharge increase resulted in a higher water-table in the former Rhône channel. The sediment survey protocol was established and three steps were implemented: i) the measurement of the sedimentation rates based on the ratio between the mean sediment thickness and the time since the restoration works; ii) determination of connection discharge by piezometers and precise DGPS survey and iii) the statistical analysis of the relationships and inter-lake analysis (the characterization of connection frequency and to define the life expectancy of former channels). |