A methodological approach for a renewed upkeep of neglected rivers

Abstract

In terms of water stream upkeep, only a global approach allows to better assess the environment sensitivities and the priorities to respect. As for the management of any other living system, it is necessary to maintain spaces of freedom, where nature can freely express itself, and which are in fact essential biological reservoirs. The author proposes here a simple research approach, which allows to localize, justify and limit river maintenance operations to what is absolutely necessary. The two essential steps of this method are the definition of the desirable river upkeep levels and the production of a detailed description in order to characterize its current upkeep status and the sanitary state of the riverside forestation. The comparative analysis of the desirable levels and of the actual situation assessment leads to a quick identification of the areas that require works, and then to the programming of these works.