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Consideration of hydromorphology and sediment in the implementation of the EU water framework and floods directives: a comparative analysis of selected EU member states
Author(s) -
s Michael,
Gerstgraser Christoph,
Wharton Geraldene
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/wej.12247
Subject(s) - flood myth , river morphology , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , entrainment (biomusicology) , legislature , sediment , sediment transport , water quality , channel (broadcasting) , environmental resource management , water resource management , environmental planning , geography , geology , ecology , engineering , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , philosophy , archaeology , rhythm , electrical engineering , biology , aesthetics
The EU Water Framework and Floods Directives represent important legislative instruments introduced in the water policy during the last two decades. Despite their holistic and complementary approaches, which should yield many benefits, the lack of importance given to the consideration of hydromorphology and sediments is a weakness. This will hinder the achievement of the Directives' goals, since hydrology and geomorphology of rivers and the character and dynamics of sediments are essential components of the aquatic habitat and ecosystem health. The entrainment, transport and deposition of sediments determine the interrelationships between river channel geometry and flow regime, which affect flood risk. The paper reports on the findings of a survey undertaken in 2015 as part of the HYTECH project, which questioned 20 EU Water Authorities about the importance they attached to hydromorphological quality elements and sediment transport during the implementation cycles of both Directives.