Human intervention

For land acquisition and flood protection, many Swiss rivers and streams have been straightened and channelized over the past 150 years. Today, they resemble monotonous drainage channels that are uninhabitable for many riverine organisms. With restoration projects, the shape and structure of rivers and streams are enhanced. This creates a diverse habitat where different organisms can find space to forage, reproduce or find refuge from floods.

A contribution to rivers from the research program "Hydraulic Engineering and Ecology" of Eawag, WSL, PL-LCH EPFL, VAW ETH Zurich and the Federal Office for the Environment.

Web: www.rivermanagement.ch
Production: Studio Flavio Vogel