Entwicklungskonzept Alpenrhein

Abstract

The discharge capacity of the Alpine Rhine River could have increased on the desired standard due to the systematic river training of the past 150 years. However, this caused a considerable change in the bed load sediment budget and the morphology. In spite of that, the bed load sediment budget is not in equilibrium. The flood protection measures led to a severe reduction of natural sound habitats, which affects adversely the ecology. With it dropped the attractiveness of the Alpine Rhine as a recreation area. Because of the interaction with the ground water table the whole Rhine Valley is affected. The usage of the hydro power in the catchment of the Alpine Rhine River affects the river ecology negatively due to the daily discharge surges. In the Development Concept Alpine Rhine several measures are proposed to reduce the deficits. Overall, more space is needed for the Alpine Rhine. The river bed enlargements proposed upstream of Buchs function against the continuous erosion and the ones proposed upstream of the Lake of Constance increase the discharge capacity, where the damage potential is extra high. The river bed enlargements affect the ground water favourably, increase the morphological and ecological diversity and create valuable recreation areas. In addition a river space (to avoid settlement and infrastructure directly behind the river bank) and a concept to cope with flood events larger than the design discharge are proposed. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.