Unsere Bäche und Flüsse

 
Cover of the publication "Our brooks and rivers". Background image shows a restored river basin.

© Umweltbundesamt

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Unsere Bäche und Flüsse

renaturieren – entwickeln – naturnah unterhalten

Publication
Citation

Federal Environment Agency (ed.) 2020: Unsere Bäche und Flüsse: renaturieren – entwickeln – naturnah unterhalten. Compiled by Lamberty G., Kemper M. und Naumann S., Dessau-Roßlau.

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This brochure provides insights into the contents of the Federal Environment Agency's online information platform "River restoration". The aim of the platform and this brochure is to motivate and support potential actors for increased implementation of river restoration measures. Therefore, basic knowledge on the ecological development of rivers and brooks is provided in a clear and understandable way. It also provides information on practical issues of planning, financing and land provision, but also on flood protection, nature conservation, agriculture and recreation. Restoration project examples further illustrate these topics. The brochure is available for download.

The EC Water Framework Directive and the German Water Management Act oblige to achieve "good ecological water status" by 2015. In many places in Germany this goal has not been achieved. For almost 92% of all water bodies, time extensions and exemptions were claimed. Monotonous water body structures, along with pollutants, are one of the main reasons why the objectives of the EC Water Framework Directive have not been met in Germany. Restoration aims to improve the hydromorphological structure of water bodies and makes a significant contribution to the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive and the Water Management Act.

Between 2017 and 2020, Ecologic Institute and the project partners designed, compiled and implemented the German Federal Environment Agency's online information platform on river restoration.

Our rivers and brooks: restoration – development – near-natural maintenance

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Language
German
Authorship
Georg Lamberty (Planungsbüro Zumbroich)
Stephan Naumann (Umweltbundesamt)
Credits

Design and Layout: Lena Aebli (Ecologic Institute)

Funding
Published by
Year
Dimension
50 pp.
ISSN
2363-832X (online)
Project
Project ID
Table of contents
Click to show full table of contents
Keywords
actor, river, restoration, hydro-morphology, Water Framework Directive, WFD
Germany
online, information portal, platform, internet, website, infographic, video, brochure
Download: Unsere Bäche und Flüsse [pdf, 17 MB, German]
PublicationWebsiteInformation Platform on River Restoration
 
This information platform provides information for potential actors of renaturation projects. The aim of river restoration is to return rivers and streams to their natural state and to improve their ecological status. Natural and semi-natural rivers and streams have... Read more

German Environment Agency (ed.) 2019: Renaturierung von Fließgewässern. Internetportal compiled by Kemper M., Lamberty G., Wagner F. and Zumbroich T. on behalf of the German Environment Agency, Dessau-Roßlau. URL: www.uba.de/renaturierung

PublicationInfographicRiver Restoration in the Context of Different Interests
 
Infographic 2019 River Restoration in the Context of Different Interests

River Restoration in the Context of Different Interests

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CC BY-ND 4.0 Umweltbundesamt 2019

Many interests come together when considering rivers. For restoration projects, new compromises must be reached and conflicts of use must be resolved through planning processes. Early, open and regular communication between all stakeholders increases the satisfaction... Read more

Umweltbundesamt (2019): River restoration in the context of different interests. Infographic. Online: uba.de/partrenat

PublicationVideoAuenrevitalisierung in Kooperation mit der Landwirtschaft an der Hase
 
The water landscape of the Hase and its tributaries Lower Saxony is ecologically upgraded. The dykes are relocated, floodplain revitalisations and watercourse conversions are carried out. This can only be done in close cooperation with all those involved, but above all... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Auenrevitalisierung in Kooperation mit der Landwirtschaft an der Hase. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/NrZq3Hcsizg

PublicationVideoSteigerung der Erlebbarkeit der Ruhr im urbanen Raum
 
More than 20 individual measures were implemented to ensure the continuity and restoration of the Ruhr in Arnsberg. This resulted in a near-natural river landscape in the middle of the city. The restored Ruhr is increasingly shaping the cityscape. Flood protection has... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Steigerung der Erlebbarkeit der Ruhr im urbanen Raum. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/0OWGGLmrxZ4

PublicationVideoSystematische Gewässerentwicklung an der Wern
 
The river Wern in Franconia was modified in the 1930s in order to enable agriculture right up to the edge of the river. As a result, biotope and species diversity declined significantly. Since 1995, the Wern has been gradually regaining a near-natural state through... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Systematische Gewässerentwicklung an der Wern. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/d3QDezCW0SU

PublicationVideoFlächenmanagement und Gewässeraufwertung an der Nebel
 
Long-term land management enabled extensive restoration of the river Nebel in Mecklenburg. In the lowland areas, construction measures were necessary because there is not enough flow velocity for a self-dynamic development. Restoration also increased ecosystem services... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Flächenmanagement und Gewässeraufwertung an der Nebel. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/LDcmmrWAdbM

PublicationVideoRenaturierung und technischer Hochwasserschutz an der Helme
 
An innovative approach combines technical flood protection and restoration of the river Helme near Sundhausen in Thuringia. The risk of flooding is significantly reduced and companies are settling in the now flood-free industrial areas. Rare and protected species, such... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Renaturierung und technischer Hochwasserschutz an der Helme. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/Z_FoBJvYCbY

PublicationVideoBarrierefreiheit und Lebensraum für Fische an der Ahr
 
Fish can again reach reproduction areas in the upper Ahr without any obstacles. In addition, the Ahr estuary was restored and almost 100 obstacles to fish migration were rebuilt or removed over a distance of 62 km up to the Eifel region. Cooperation between water... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Barrierefreiheit und Lebensraum für Fische an der Ahr. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/svJ4G_f4fTE

PublicationVideoRenaturierung des Inn in Kooperation von Wasserkraftunternehmen, Freistaat und Fischereivereinen
 
Technical flood protection and the use of hydropower have heavily modified the river Inn. Fish hardly find their vital habitats here. The local hydropower company restructures the river banks, creates alternative habitats and promotes biodiversity in the floodplain. The... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Renaturierung des Inn in Kooperation von Wasserkraftunternehmen, Freistaat und Fischereivereinen. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/4JwMMIjm4TM

PublicationVideoVerbesserung der Gewässerökologie an der Murg in Rastatt
 
In the urban area of Rastatt, river bank protection of the Murg was removed in order to create near-natural hydromorphological structures. Out of town, floodplains were reactivated for flood protection. The Yellow-bellied Toad and the Crested Newt also benefit from the... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Verbesserung der Gewässerökologie an der Murg in Rastatt. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/NY2yvo0k5oM

PublicationVideoNaturnaher Hochwasserschutz an der Fulda
 
The "Masterplan Fuldaaue" is an example of good cooperation between the Hessian municipalities of Bebra, Rotenburg and Alheim. The Fulda was restored near-naturally and flood protection was improved. Financing was provided by different funding sources and the costs were... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Naturnaher Hochwasserschutz an der Fulda. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/8-A4Oh0pqaY

PublicationVideoRückkehr von Fischotter, Lachs und Tüpfelsumpfhuhn an der Wümme
 
Today, Fischerhude’s floodplain of the Wümme near Bremen is an area of recognised ecological importance, especially for waterbound breeding and resting birds. This was made possible by a large-scale nature conservation project, in which numerous measures have been... Read more

Umweltbundesamt 2019: Rückkehr von Fischotter, Lachs und Tüpfelsumpfhuhn an der Wümme. Video. Online: https://youtu.be/d_WsuW9T7hw

PublicationInfographicMeasures for River Restoration
 
Poster 2019 Measures for River Restoration

Measures for River Restoration

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CC BY-ND 4.0 Umweltbundesamt 2019

Over 90% of German rivers and streams are straightened, constricted, piped or interrupted by structures such as weirs or barrages. Restoration can improve the ecological status and attractiveness of water bodies. Bulldozers are not always needed to restore a river.... Read more

Umweltbundesamt (2019): Measures for river restoration. Infographic. Online: uba.de/massrenat

PublicationInfographicPlanning and Implementation of Restoration Projects
 
Infographic 2019 Planning and Implementation of Restoration Projects

Planning and Implementation of Restoration Projects

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CC BY-ND 4.0 Umweltbundesamt 2019

The project schedule for river restoration projects can vary greatly. This flow chart shows the most important project steps. Natural river development is a complex undertaking. A well-structured planning management creates the prerequisites for a balanced solution and... Read more

Umweltbundesamt (2019): Planning and implementation of restoration projects. Infographic. Online: uba.de/planrenat

PublicationInfographicRiver Restoration in the Context of Different Interests
 
Infographic 2019 River Restoration in the Context of Different Interests

River Restoration in the Context of Different Interests

|

CC BY-ND 4.0 Umweltbundesamt 2019

Many interests come together when considering rivers. For restoration projects, new compromises must be reached and conflicts of use must be resolved through planning processes. Early, open and regular communication between all stakeholders increases the satisfaction... Read more

Umweltbundesamt (2019): River restoration in the context of different interests. Infographic. Online: uba.de/partrenat

PublicationInfographicFunding for River Restoration
 
Infographic 2019 Funding for River Restoration

Funding for River Restoration

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CC BY-ND 4.0 Umweltbundesamt 2019

River restoration costs money, but there are many funding instruments and grants that can be combined. In addition, compensatory measures and overlapping interests with other departments and stakeholders (e.g. flood protection, nature conservation) can be utilised. The... Read more

Umweltbundesamt (2019): Funding for river restoration. Infographic. Online: uba.de/finrenat