Bedload and habitat dynamisation with artificial floods on the Saane – Canton Fribourg

In recent decades, the maintenance of reservoirs with residual flow management in the Saane River has led to a lack of bedload dynamics and a deficit. The consequences included strong vegetation development, extensive restriction of morphological dynamics with habitat losses and clogging of the river bed (colmation). The artificial floods released since 2016 support relocation of sediments, initiation of habitat changes and removal of fine material from the river bed. However, there are still uncertainties regarding the optimal dimensioning of the floods in order to achieve a comprehensive redynamization of the floodplain with an adequate loss in energy production.

Product

eQcharta and ZHAW use a combination of drone-based remote sensing (Structure from Motion) and numerical modeling to record and evaluate bedload dynamics and for dimensioning artificial floods. This allows to quantify the effect of artificial floods with regard to 2D habitat changes, but also the bedload transport on a 3D level, in order to calculate bedload additions. The model can also be used to simulate floods of different magnitudes, durations or frequencies and thus estimate their impact on habitat and bedload dynamics. This provides a comprehensive tool for planning and implementing artificial floods.

Contributors

Publications

Döring, M., Tonolla, D., Antonetti, M. (2023): Adaptive management and restoration of a complex floodplain system using artificial flooding (Sarine floodplain, Western Switzerland). Slovenian Water Days, Rimske Toplice, Slovenia, 24-25 May 2023.

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Contact

Michael Döring

Michael Döring
Prof. ZHAW, Dr. sc. ETHZ
MSc. Geography

Founder and member of the management board

In his many years of work in applied ecosystem research, spatial analysis, remote sensing and risk management in science and practice, Michael has implemented a wide range of projects, especially in restoration and the rehabilitation of hydropower. This resulted in the foundation of eQcharta GmbH as an Eawag spin-off in 2013 and since 2014 in his work as a lecturer in ecohydrology at the ZHAW.

Diego Tonolla
Dr. rer. nat. FU Berlin
MSc. Environmental Sciences ETHZ

Member of the management board

Diego has many years of scientific and practical experience in applied ecosystem research, spatial analysis, method development and consulting, which he has successfully implemented in various projects on ecological restoration, hydropower rehabilitation and impact monitoring. He has also been a lecturer in ecohydrology at the ZHAW since 2015.

If you desire detailed information about our publications and wish to delve deeper into our research findings, please click on the ResearchGate link below our contact details.

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