Using the River Habitat Survey method in forecasting effects of river restoration

Abstract

Using the River Habitat Survey method in forecasting effects of river restoration. Research presents usability of the River Habitat Survey (RHS) evaluation method in forecasting effects of the Zielawa River restoration, performed in selected section between 18 + 960 km and 19 + 460 km. The EU so-called Water Framework Directive signalizes necessity of achieving a good ecological status of European rivers in the immediate future. Accordingly, river restoration is the main tool for already technically regulated rivers’ quality upgrading. Present research contains a collation of four proposed restoration works variants and the ecological evaluation of chosen river reach before and after initiating restoration works in accordance to various variants, using the RHS method. The conclusion is fact, that in dependence of established variant it is possible to receive improvement of ecological class from present Class V to Class IV (variants 1 and 2) or Class III (variants 3 and 4)