Small dam removal: a tool for landscape and ecological river restoration? Focus on social issues - French case studies - Sèvre nantaise, Thouet (West of France)

Abstract

Small dam removal (most of them are watermills dams or irrigation weirs) has become a new option in river ecological restoration. From United-States to european countries dam removal (and particularly small dam removal) has emerged as a major environmental managment issue. The European Water Framework Directive (EWFD) encourages States and local authorities to reduce ecological impact of these hydraulic works (fish-pass, small dam removal). This new context leads to the increase of conflicts of use and to indecisive public policies. This article deals with this issue through the analysis of two cases studies in western France (Sèvre nantaise, Thouet).