Download here the summary poster and the PhD thesis related to this project.
The Maas (The Meuse River) requires navigable conditions and flood safety while improving ecological conditions with natural banks (note at both sides). (Source: Gonzalo Duró)
Project output
Insights on riverbank erosion of restored reaches: survey techniques, drivers, prediction and role of vegetation.
Challenge
The management of multifunctional rivers requires the consideration of factors such as flood conveyance, ecology and navigation. This functions may conflict with each other, for which a holistic approach to compromise among interests becomes necessary. The restoration of riverbanks is implemented to improve riparian habitats but a deep understanding of the impacts to other uses is crucial to achieve a sustainable river system. This research provides insights on the erosion dynamics of restored banks to find a balance among all river functions.
Key goals: Fundamental understanding Innovative monitoring
Sequential surveys at eroding bank in the Meuse River over 2017, showing profiles and eroded volumes per event and cumulative series. (Source: Duró et al., 2018)
Innovative components
We apply structure from motion photogrammetry with an aerial unmanned vehicle (drone) to survey complex riverbanks along a mid-sized river reach. We evaluate the method’s precision to measure bank erosion processes and perform systematic campaigns along two years. Second, we investigate the factors that determine distinct bank erosion patterns, for which we measure and analyze the subaqueous bank topography thanks to a unique opportunity provided by a ship accident. Third, we study the morphological evolution of restored banks in navigable regulated rivers to characterize the mechanisms of erosion and test current modelling approaches.
For whom and where?
- Managers who need insights on where and how to restore banks along lowland rivers.
- Practitioners that want to know how well current models predict bank erosion in waterways.
Data-collection methods: Field survey measurements Remote sensing
Temporal scale: Seasonal measurements Yearly measurements
Application development and findings
Low-cost drones can be used to survey riverbank erosion with resolution and precision comparable to laser methods, covering long distances in relative short times. A single path along the bank with eight photo overlaps is sufficient to reach the highest precision. A RTK-GPS is used to reference to global coordinates the digital surface model and correct for non-linear distortions. This method is applicable to streams and rivers with high bank and distances up to 3 kilometers.
Field measurements, which include these topographic campaigns, explain the irregular erosion rates along short distances in the Meuse River. These patterns are caused by the former river migration which deposited sediments of varying compositions. Tree locally delay erosion rates but their fate is highly controlled by the substrate composition at regulated water levels. These results imply that floodplain heterogeneity and vegetation strongly determine bank erosion patterns, especially in rivers with regulated stages and navigation.
Status for day-to-day practice
The case studies in the Meuse River serve as benchmarks to design and understand how riverbanks respond to restoration. The consideration of the key elements that define the morphological response of riverbanks may help to define future projects dealing with natural banks in waterways.
Spatial scale: River section
Key locations: Maas River (NL) Rhine River (NL)
Next Steps
The next logical step is to improve current models for predictive purposes based on the new knowledge.
Last updated: 10/02/2020
Explore the contact details to get to know more about the researchers, the supervisory team and the organizations that contribute to this project.
Main researcher
Gonzalo Duró
Delft University of Technology
Contributing partners
As soon as available, explore the storyline to get to know more about the main methods or prototype tools that were developed within this project.
Explore the output details for available publications to get a glance of the innovative components and implications to practice as well as the links to supporting datasets.
Project outputs
Bank erosion processes measured with UAV-SfM
A fast and simple field technique to capture the topography of riverbanks and compute erosion rates.
25/10/2018 by Gonzalo Duró et al.
Contains: Dataset access Publication open access
Take a look to the dissemination efforts and application experiences which are available in the news items and blogs.
Events
14/06/2019
Sharing knowledge with HKV, one of the project partners.
For RiverCare, it is very important to have face to face meetings to exchange the knowledge, and make sure to discuss with interested parties the results of the researchers.
25/05/2019
Knowledge sharing meeting in Witteveen+Bos, Rotterdam
How can we apply the researchers’ findings to improve our designs and environmental impact assessments? How can we share lessons learned from RiverCare within our team of engineers and consultants?
15/09/2017
Symposium on River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics 2017 in Padova (Italy)
Seven intrepid researchers took part on one of the most important conferences on the field.
News
RiverCare was featured on the DeltaLink edition about rivers
01/10/2016 by dr. ir. Astrid Blom
The Room for the River programme aimed at increasing flood safety by creating space for water. However, when considering integrated management, there are other...
We joined efforts with the following projects to support with each other's expertise and experience the development of the new methods or prototype tools.
Anything to ask or share?
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