Spree - Restoration and remeandering of the Müggelspree - downstream Mönchwinkel
Spree - Restoration and remeandering of the Müggelspree - downstream Mönchwinkel
Key features of the case study
In the following section, background and motives of the restoration project which led to the initiation of the project are introduced.
Drivers and pressures
Various hydro-engineering measures led to an extreme degradation of the River Spree until the 60s of the 20th century. In order to facilitate flood protection, generation of energy by water mills, agricultural use of the wetlands, and shipping, the river was channelized by (I) shore fortification by rip-rap or hybrid poplar plantings, (II) meander cutting, and (III) constructing a symmetrical trapezoidal cross-section. The mean discharge was artificially increased by the removal of ground water during upstream open-cast lignite mining activities. As a consequence, the river lost most of its natural variability of the flow regime, sediments, and morphology leading to subsequent degradation of the riverine biota.
Global objective
In 2004, the Federal State of Brandenburg started implementing an intense restoration program in one section of the River Spree, the so called Müggelspree. The main objective of this program was to reconnect the previously cut meanders to the main channel. Since then, several old oxbows have been dredged and reconnected on both sides of the main channel. The reconnection of oxbows was accompanied by the removal of rip-raps and groynes and the replacement of the introduced hybrid poplars by native willows, oaks, or alders.
Specific goals
The restoration and re-meandering of the Müggelspree aimed to:
- Restore the natural hydrology, morphology, and oxygen balance of the river
- Improve water retention in the landscape
- Develop habitats to improve benthic and rheophil species
Site description
Measures selection
Success criteria
Ecological response
Hydromorphological response
Monitoring before and after implementation of the project
Socio-economic aspects
Contact person within the organization
Extra background information
References
Related Measures
- Improve water retention
- Remeander water courses
- Install fish pass/bypass/side channel for upstream migration
- Remove sediments
- Remove bank fixation
Related Pressures
- Surface water abstraction
- Hydrological regime modification
- Discharge diversions and returns
- Artificial barriers downstream from the site
- Artificial barriers upstream from the site
- Alteration of instream habitat
- Embankments, levees or dikes
- Loss of vertical connectivity
- Alteration of riparian vegetation
- Channelisation / cross section alteration