Hydromorphological Measures under the Floods and Water Framework Directives "Finding synergies and addressing challenges"

Publication: Report
Citation: Dworak, Thomas & Kampa, Eleftheria (2019). Workshop on hydro-morphological measures under the Floods and Water Framework Directives “Finding synergies and addressing challenges”. Background paper with conclusions from the workshop 4/5.12.2018 Budapest/Hungary.

As hydromorphological aspects between the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive refer to the same fluvial processes, the issue of hydromorphology and flooding has been addressed several times within the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) process. In this context, a workshop on hydromorphological measures under the Floods and Water Framework Directives – "Finding synergies and addressing challenges" took place on 4-5 December 2018, in Budapest (Hungary). After the workshop, this background paper was updated to include conclusions from the meeting. The background paper is available online.

The workshop's discussions evolved around:

The potential for implementation of restoration/mitigation measures to achieve WFD good ecological status, or good ecological potential, at water bodies where hydromorphology is impacted by existing flood risk management measures, and
Impacts of new flood protection measures on hydromorphology modifications and related assessments under the WFD.

The ultimate objective was to increase the appreciation, amongst the experts of the working group ECOSTAT (ecological status) and the working group Floods, of the challenges encountered and the synergies that can be achieved, towards integrated water management.

Prior to the workshop, a background paper was prepared and circulated to participants providing background information on the topic and suggesting questions for discussion. After the workshop, the background paper was updated to include conclusions from the meeting. The background paper is available online.

Steps for Defining and Assessing Ecological Potential for Improving Comparability of Heavily Modified Water Bodies

Guidance Document No. 37

Year 2020

Publication:Document

The Working Group ECOSTAT of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) held a workshop on classification on 29-30 May 2018 in Tallinn. The aim of this workshop with respect to hydromorphology was to facilitate a better common understanding on the use of hydromorphological quality elements for the overall assessment of ecological status and potential. This is part of a wider work item on classification in the ECOSTAT work programme focusing on the linkage between supporting and biological quality elements (BQEs). The Workshop Summary Report presents the main discussions that occurred during this meeting and is available for download.

ECOSTAT Classification Workshop: Summary Report on Hydromorphology

Year 2018

Publication:Document

Ecologic Institute supported the European Commission and the Ad-hoc Task Group on Hydromorphology in organising a Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) workshop. This CIS workshop on the subject of significant adverse effects was organized on 23 and 24 April 2018 in Brussels. The Workshop Summary Report presents the main discussions that occurred during this meeting. In addition, prior to the workshop, Ecologic Institute prepared a discussion paper providing background information to workshop participants on the topic. The discussion paper is available for download.

Significant Adverse Effects on Use or the Wider Environment from Measures – Workshop Summary Report

Year 2018

Project

Under its ‘Framework contract for Evaluation, review and development of EU Water Policy', the European Commission DG Environment has issued a service request for a Specific Contract to provide "Support for the elaboration of guidance on WFD harmonised environmental requirements for HMWB and hydromorphology". The aim of this Specific Contract is to ensure support for the follow-up activities towards the further elaboration of deliverables as outlined in the Terms of Reference of the Ad-Hoc Task Group on Hydromorphology. The requested services include the provision to the Water Unit in DG Environment of independent and timely support and advice on scientific, socio-economic and technical issues related to the activities of the ATG. This includes the provision of products of high technical quality as specified in the description of tasks and deliverables.

Guidance on WFD Harmonised Environmental Requirements for HMWB and Hydromorphology

Apr 2018 - Nov 2019

Language: English
Authorship: Dr. Eleftheria Kampa

Thomas Dworak (Fresh Thoughts)
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Environment (DG Environment), International
Year: 2019
Dimension: 31 pp.
Project: Guidance on WFD Harmonised Environmental Requirements for HMWB and Hydromorphology
Project ID: 2626-02
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Relevant CIS process related to the topic of the workshop
1.3 Relevant links between the two Directives in the context of hydromorphology
1.4 Lessons learned on coordination between the FD and WFD Directives
1.5 Aim of the workshop
1.6 Audience for the document
2 Effects of measures related to hydromorphology on status
3 Restoration/mitigation measures for the achievement of good ecological status/potential and potential effects on flood protection
3.1 Types of restoration and mitigation measures for achieving GES/GEP
3.2 Positive impacts of restoration and mitigation measures on the level of flood protection
3.3 Significant adverse effects of mitigation measures
3.4 Draft questions for discussion at the workshop
4 Effects of new hydromorphological modifications due to flood protection and WFD related assessments
4.1 Identified need for new flood protection measures
4.2 Approach to assess the potential impacts of new flood protection measures
4.3 Draft questions for discussion at the workshop
5 Conclusion from the workshop
6 Annex 1: Case Studies
6.1 Combined solutions for reducing risk of flooding and improving water quality, biodiversity with added value for land use, recreation and urban planning in the Meuse and Rhine RBDs, Netherlands
6.2 Case Noorwaard, implementation of restauration measures, Netherlands
6.3 Hijar river restoration project, Spain
6.4 River Development and Risk Management Concept, Austria
6.5 Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) measures’ impact evaluation for the assessment of Art. 4(7), Italy
Keywords: Events

Water

Floods Directive, Water Framework Directive, WFD, Hydromorphological measures

Europe, Meuse, Rhine, Netherlands, Noorwaard, Hijar river, Spain, Austria, Italy

Further Links

PublicationDocumentECOSTAT Classification Workshop: Summary Report on Hydromorphology

Birk, S. & Kampa, E., 2018. ECOSTAT Classification Workshop: Summary Report on Hydro-morphology, 29-30 May 2018, Tallinn.

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Kampa, E. & Bussettini, M., 2018. River Hydromorphological Assessment and Monitoring Methodologies: Part 1 – Summary of European country questionnaires.

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