Assessment is an important element of rehabilitation projects in rivers and streams. The systematic collection of data serves to monitor and assess the achievement of the goals formulated in the planning process. It also enables the discovery of deficiencies in the project conception, unexpected impacts of the intervention, and lasting deficiencies of the rehabilitated stretch of the river or stream. Lessons from both successful and less successful projects are of great significance for future projects.

Up to now, project assessments have been the exception in Switzerland. As well as a lack of the necessary funding, time, and personnel, the lack of suitable instructions and guidelines have also been named as a reason for not performing an assessment.

The "Handbook for evaluating rehabilitation projects in rivers and streams" (pdf 4.1 MB) will close this gap.

> Summary

Table of contents:

1 Introduction

• 1.1 Aim and purpose of the handbook
• 1.2 Target audience
• 1.3 Overview of handbook

2 Condition of Swiss rivers and streams

• 2.1 River canalisation in Switzerland
• 2.2 Problem analysis of Swiss rivers and streams
• 2.3 Need for action: preventive and sustainable

3 Basic principles of rehabilitation

• 3.1 Purpose of rehabilitation
• 3.2 Status in science and practice
• 3.3 Project procedure
• 3.4 Consideration of abiotic and biotic heterogeneity

4 Basic principles of project evaluation

• 4.1 Status of project evaluation
• 4.2 Concepts for project evaluation
• 4.3 Indicators
• 4.4 References

5 Scope of handbook

• 5.1 Status in the project procedure
• 5.2 Suitability of concept

6 Objectives of rehabilitation projects

• 6.1 Society: service and protection
• 6.2 Environment and ecology
• 6.3 Economy
• 6.4 Implementation

7 Rehabilitation measures and indicator sets

• 7.1 Widening the river bed
• 7.2 Opening culverts
• 7.3 Structuring the river bed
• 7.4 Structuring the river bank
• 7.5 Creating and reconnecting side channels
• 7.6 Reconnecting backwaters, oxbows and floodplains
• 7.7 Longitudinal connectivity
• 7.8 Bedload rehabilitation

8 Indicator selection

• 8.1 Concept and procedure of indicator selection
• 8.2 Instructions for using the Excel template

9 Indicator survey

10 Project evaluation

• 10.1 Concept and procedure of project evaluation
• 10.2 Instructions for using the Excel template

11 Conclusion and outlook

• 11.1 Summary
• 11.2 Analysis of concept
• 11.3 Further procedure
• 11.4 Communication
• 11.5 Queries and contact

Glossary

References

Citation:
Woolsey, S., C. Weber, T. Gonser, E. Hoehn, M. Hostmann, B. Junker, C. Roulier, S. Schweizer, S. Tiegs, K. Tockner & A. Peter. 2005. Handbook for evaluating rehabilitation projects in rivers and streams. Publication by the Rhone-Thur project. Eawag, WSL, LCH-EPFL, VAW-ETHZ. 108 pp.