Ver. 2

Reference Guideline
for Restoration
by Eco-Compatible Approachin River Basin of Asia

Contents
1. Introduction
1(1) Why restore the river environment?............................................................... 1(2) Purpose of this guide ................................................................................... 2(3) Target readers of this guide .......................................................................... 2(4) Outline and positioning of this guide .............................................................. 2
2. Important viewpoints in understanding the true nature of a river 4(1) Being familiar with the natural, historical and cultural transition of rivers ............ 4(2) Perceiving the river as a basin ...................................................................... 6(3) Understanding dynamism of rivers ................................................................ 7(4) Grasping the role of rivers and stakeholders ................................................... 8
3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment
10(1) Clarifying problems of the river environment to set targets for restoration......... 10(2) Planning river restoration from the viewpoint of the basin ............................... 21(3) Considering river restoration based on dynamism of rivers.............................. 22(4) Proceeding with river restoration in cooperation with the local people concerned 23
4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration
24(1) Outline of measures toward river environment restoration .............................. 24(2) Survey and research to clarify the nature of rivers ......................................... 25(3) Creating awareness among residents in the basin .......................................... 28(4) Building consensus for sustainable activities ................................................. 30(5) Securing healthy water quality and quantity ................................................. 32(6) Creating a lively waterfront and water amenity space ..................................... 35(7) Restoration of nature to regain the natural environment of the river ................. 38
5. Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration
41(1) Case studies of river restoration in China...................................................... 41(2) Case studies of river restoration in Korea ..................................................... 43(3) Case studies of river restoration in Japan ..................................................... 46

Appendix 1

Countermeasure Chart for River Restoration (draft) ............................... 52

Appendix 2

List of resources for river restoration (Only web site in English) ............... 54

Epilog - For promotion of further river environment restoration in Asia - ...................... 55

1. Introduction(1) Why restore the river environment?
In the global hydrological cycle, rivers play a crucial part, especially in their relationship withhumans. Rivers accommodate and nurture numerous living things, including we humans. We
cannot live without the blessing of rivers.
We, humans, have received many blessings from rivers, as we obtain drinking water andfoods from them, and use river water in our livelihood and economic production, as well as forhydraulic energy in transportation and power. Thus, we have found numerous ways to use rivers.
At the same time, we have changed their flows skillfully, one way or another, to prevent floods
from taking people’s lives. In short, we have got along with rivers. The specific way to get along
differs, needless to say, depending on each region’s climate, land contour, etc. And this getting
along has shaped each region’s culture and socio-environmental climate.

China River Restoration Network

Funan River, China

The second JRRN River Environment Seminar, Lecture material

Anyang River, Korea

Foundation for Riverfront improvement and Restoration

Ochiai River, Japan1

Yet we are paying a high price for reshaping rivers and consuming so much of their water. We
have altered their natural hydrological cycles, and this in turn has resulted in the loss of muchof the natural wealth and lovely landscape nurtured by such cycles. Today, river water ispolluted, floods are more devastating than they were before, and fewer fish are living in rivers.
These deteriorations are seriously and adversely affecting our lives and production.
All of the four major ancient civilizations of the world throve along a great river. As their
populations and economy expanded, however, they destroyed the natural environment of theirriver basins. Many say such environmental deteriorations led these civilizations down the way of
their own extinction. Modern science and technology have enabled humans to manipulate
nature on a scale and at a speed never known before. We have controlled nature as we want to,for our economic wealth. We have obtained this wealth at the cost of drastic effects on natural
conditions and cycles. Some of these effects are irreversible. Some are fatal.
As is typically evident in the spread of water supply and sewage systems, modern society has
set people and rivers farther apart from each other. Many of us are not usually aware where ourwater comes from and where it flows from our lavatories and kitchen sinks. Moreover, few of us
dare to approach a polluted river. We have changed the way we get along with rivers. As a result,
we have become insensitive to changes happening in rivers, which lead to further aggravationof their environment before we know it.
Hydrological cycles exist and work in continuities, chronological and spatial. The chronologicalcontinuity connects the past with the future, while the spatial links together every corner of theearth, including subterranean areas and the atmosphere. A river right in front of us represents
natural conditions and human activity in such continuities. In short, a river reflects thenature-human society of its basin.
We cannot live without working on rivers and using their water. Yet at the same time, adeteriorated river environment, where the water is polluted and unable to accommodate living
things and lovely landscapes have been lost, is a sure sign that the health of the basin and thenational territory we live in has been jeopardized.
Restoring a river’s environment does not just mean planting green along a segment of it.
Rather, it actually means letting a river restore its own original cycle of water, with its own
natural power, by minimizing the influence of human activity. Furthermore, it means restoring
health to the basin and the national territory behind the river running right in front of us.
Restoring the river environment is essential, if we hope to hand down a beautiful, lush, global
natural environment to our children, and if we want our descendants to live on this planet for
many more years to come.

(2) Purpose of this guideThis guide is to show basic ideas and policies indispensable for restoring desirable riverenvironments in Asia, raise the interest of readers in a river nearby, create an opportunity
toward new projects for river restoration, and also support current river restoration projects.

(3) Target readers of this guideThis guide targets all people who want to bring rivers and waterfronts back into a healthy form
and pass on rich river environments to the following generations.

(4) Outline and positioning of this guideIn the spontaneous regeneration sectional meeting of the 4th World Water Forum (held in Mar.
2006 in Mexico), two proposals were made in connection with establishing an Asian network
related to river restoration and the preparation of an Asian river restoration guide toward2

1.Introduction
improvement of river restoration technology. In response to these proposals, the “Asian River
Restoration Network” (ARRN) was established by Japanese, Chinese and Korean agencies
jointly concerned in November of the same year.
In the ARRN, preparation of a river restoration guide was positioned as one of the primaryobjectives of the network activities, and Japanese, Chinese and Korean specialists are working
toward establishing an engineering guide that can contribute to creating good riverenvironments in Asia through discussions.

Basic points in considering river environment restoration
Chap.1 Why promote river restoration?

Chap.2 Important viewpoints in understanding the nature of rivers
Chap.3 Basic items to remember in restoring river environment

Countermeasure for river environment restoration
Chap.4 Implementation approaches for river environment restoration
Chap.5 Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration

Referential information toward additional restoration activities
Appendix.1 Countermeasure chart for river restoration (draft)Appendix.2 List of resources for river restoration
Contents of this guideline ver.2

In this guide, a menu of basic ideas and concrete measures toward river restoration is
explained in a comprehensible form so that even non-specialists who are interested in
improvement of the river environment can understand them easily as a primer to the “AsianRiver Restoration Engineering Guide” aimed at by the ARRN in the future.
The Guideline ver.1 was published in March 2009, and this Guideline ver.2 is an update of it.
The revision for this Guideline ver.2 is intended to enhance the contents of the guideline sothat it can serve as basic data that show the features and differences between Japan, China andKorea as regards various backgrounds, problems and measures regarding river environment
restoration in Asia. A list of information sources (websites in English) has also been added to the
Appendix as a reference for river environment restoration.
ARRN members will make continuous efforts to upgrade the glossary of river environment
restoration terms, and to collect as many as possible reference cases containing lessons learned
from experience in river environment restoration. We will also make efforts for theestablishment of a practical river restoration technical guideline for Asia, which will present
basic concepts for goals, methodologies and evaluation indicators of river environment
restoration common to various Asian countries.
[Revision history of this Reference Guideline]
Mar.2009: Reference Guideline for Restoration by an Eco-Compatible Approach in River Basin of Asia, Ver.1, publishedJan. 2011: A separate volume of the Reference Guideline for Restoration Ver. 1, publishedMar. 2012: Reference Guideline for Restoration by an Eco-Compatible Approach in River Basin of Asia, Ver. 2, published3

2. Important viewpoints in understanding
the true nature of a river(1) Being familiar with the natural, historical and cultural transition ofriversSince ancient times, rivers have brought great benefits to us such as water for drinking, food,amenity, and healing. At the same time, rivers have sometimes caused damage throughfloods and droughts. The history of the relationship between human beings and rivers isdiverse, and rivers show how nature operates from past to present as well as the consequencesof human beings’ activities regarding rivers over a period of time.
To consider the future of rivers, it is of utmost importance to understand their historical andcultural change. This leads to a heightening of people’s awareness to take good care of rivers
as something familiar and to pass on a rich river environment to the following generations.

China
Zhuanhe River

Korea
Yangjae River

Photo of old river
before it is maintained

Japan
Genbei River

Photo of old river
before it is maintained

Beijing Institute of Water

Water edge, which was rich innature (age unknown)

Korea River Restoration Network

Branches of sewers anddried-up streams (1910s)

NPO Groundwork Mishima

River rich in spring water (around 1950)

Beijing Institute of Water

Mostly reclaimed water’s edge
(age unknown)

Korea River Restoration Network

Straightened low-water channels
for flood control (around 1980s)

NPO Groundwork Mishima

Contaminated river (around 1980)

Today’s river restored

Foundation for Riverfront improvement and Restoration

Restored water’s edge (today)

4

Korea River Restoration Network

Restored river (today)

NPO Groundwork Mishima

Restored river (today)2. Important viewpoints in understanding the true nature of a river

Column 1: History of river restoration in Japan, China and Korea
The major events related to river administration in Japan, China and Korea are summarized,
and the past histories of river restoration in these countries are compared.

1950's1960's1970's1980's1990's2000's

China

Korea

Japan

1950s: China Government came up
with the guideline of HuaiheRiver trainging "consideringstoraging up and discharge at
the same time, to achieve thepurpose of essential cure.

1950: Korean war happened andpeople paid no attention on therivers. Sanitized and treatment
facilities were not planned.

1957: Act on Specified Multipurpose

1960s: Chairman Mao called upon
"Haihe River must be trained
fundamentally". In the same
year, Liujiaxia hydro project had
a successful cutoff.

1961:

The first river act wasestablished based on Chosun
River Order (1927).

1960: Erosion and Flood Control Law
1964: New River Law (Proper water
use was enhanced)
1965: River Lot Occupation
Permission Rule

1970s: Gezhouba Hydro project
started working which was thefirst large-scale hydro project.

1972:

By
National
EconomicInnovation
10-yearPlan,
government
establishedcomprehensive
river
development plan.

1970: Water Pollution Control Act

1988: China's water law was enacted
andestablishes
principles,
generalguidelines,
andtechnical standards for water
resources management.

late 1990s: Water sectors of Chinabegan to explore the measures
to restore rapidly degradedriver ecosystems by means ofemergency water diversion andachieved initiatory successes.
2001: The 10th five-year plan launcheda river restoration project toimprove water quality and accessto water
2004: The River Basin Committee
expressed
commitment
toresponsibility to maintain river
health
2006: Launched the national water
quality improvement project,“Water Pollution Control &Treatment”
2007: The 11th five-year plan included“restoration of the ecosystem”,
and launched nature restoration
model projects
2009: An order by the Prime Ministerobliged river projects to conduct
research on their influence on
the natural environment

Dams
1958: Water Quality Conservation Act
on Public Water
1959: Ise Bay Typhoon

Polluted river purification
project was pushed forward,
and polluted bed sediment were
dredged from severely polluted
small-medium urban streams.

1980: Formulation of Basic Plan ofRiver Environment
management began.
1981: Proposal on River Environment
Management”(River Council
Report)1987: Hometown River Improvement
Model Project was launched.

1996:'GuidelinesonRiver
Environment
Control'wereestablished.
1998:'Standard for Planting andManagement of Trees in Rivers'
were established.
1999:‘River Act’ was completely
revisedtoincluderiver
environment plan in the river
maintenance master plan, toapply nature-friendly methods,
and to introduce the concept ofriver maintenance flow.

1990: Nature-oriented River Work was
introduced.
1990: National Census on River
Environments was started.
1993: Basic Environment Law
1995: Proposal on Future River
Environment (River Council
Report)1997: Revision of the River Law (River
environment improvement andriver improvement wereenhanced)

2004:‘River Act’ was revised toconsider nature oriented river
2005: A technical standard of river
design was revised
2005:"National River Urban Section
Environment
Maintenance
Project"
wasstartedforenvironment-friendly
river
maintenance.
2009: major river restoration projectand Ara canal project for
multipurpose use of river werelaunched

2002: Act on the Promotion of Nature
Restoration
2004: Invasive Alien Species Act,
Landscape Act
2006: Basic guideline for
Nature-oriented RiverManagement
2007: The policy of “Building up andPreserving River Environments”
reviewed
2008: A technical standard of river
channel planning for medium
and small-sized rivers
2009: A system to support “rivers andcity planning”
2011: Deregulation to make river
spaces more accessible

1987:

5

(2) Perceiving the river as a basin
The water of a river we see circulates in a “basin.” The river moves substances on Earth suchas water, sediment, nutrient salts, and living organisms. The characteristics of aspects of ariver (flood, drought, water quality, living organisms, landscape, nature, and culture) inaddition to climate, size, shape, and land utilization of the “basin” show that the state of theriver results from and is affected by the way of living and the various social activities of thepeople living there for a long time.
When considering river restoration, it is very important to grasp the condition of the river, notonly by looking at the streamflow or inside the river surrounded by levees or revetments, butalso by considering the river as a horizontal phase of a “basin.”

China River Restoration Network

Upper reaches of Yangtze River (China)

Korea River Restoration Network

River Basin of Nakdong River (Korea)

6

SUGANO Printing Co., Ltd.

Kurobe River alluvial fan seen from the air (Japan)

2. Important viewpoints in understanding the true nature of a river(3) Understanding dynamism of rivers
The streamflow of a river changes every day. It is calm in its normal state, but the width of
the water surface sometimes becomes extremely small and at other times, the flow is evendisrupted due to water shortage. In the meantime, once a river is swollen, the streamflow will
cut away the river bed and riverbanks and carry away riverside living organisms. Sedimentflowing from upstream heaps up, and the form of the river may change.
In this way, stream flow changes at various time points naturally or artificially to its present
form. Human beings and organisms in a river adapt themselves to the nature of the river andhow it operates in order to live. When thinking of the river environment, it is important tounderstand the characteristics of the stream flow of the river.

Jianhua LI

Jianhua LI

The dry river bed (Yellow River, China)

Korea River Restoration Network

Normal state (Gongreng River, Korea)

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Normal state (Toyohira River, Japan)

Korea River Restoration Network

Flood condition (Gongreng River, Korea)

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Flood condition (Toyohira River, Japan)

7(4) Grasping the role of rivers and stakeholders
We have sought a broad range of roles of rivers such as securing water resources for
agriculture, industry, and disaster prevention, using the water surface and the riverfront fortransportation by ship, recreation, and healing, and conducting fishery work to secure food. In
addition, we have used rivers not only to obtain water but also to dispose of used water.
Meanwhile, rivers are a place for various living organisms to live.
To find the desirable state of a river, it is important to grasp the lifestyles of the local people
concerned in addition to the role of the river.

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Weir for water intake

Foundation for Riverfront improvement and Restoration

Use of the water surface for canoeing

Docon Co ., Ltd.

Fishery work

8

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Water of life

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Sightseeing boat

NPO Azame Group

Playing in the river

Takahiro Sakamoto

Waterfront where landscape is goodFoundation for Riverfront improvement and Restoration

Multipurpose use of river terrace

Docon Co ., Ltd.

Fish living in the river2. Important viewpoints in understanding the true nature of a river

Column 2: Stakeholders involved in river restoration and their division of roles- case of the Koma River in Japan The Koma River of the Arakawa River System (Saitama Prefecture) was designated as atarget river of the Hometown River Improvement Project by the national government, and an
improvement plan review committee was established by the river administrator in 1996. The
committee sought the opinions of local residents through the heads of community associations.
In order to reflect the opinions of a wider variety of people, it established the Komagawa
Citizens’ Council consisting of members selected from the general public (about 110 members)in March 2000, and held six meetings, including workshops, observation tours and opinion
exchange meetings. After those opinions were reflected in the plan, construction work was
begun. “Asaba Biotope” which was a feature of the improvement plan was completed in March
2003.
After completion, “Komagawa Furusato-no-kai”, which was a citizen-led organization formaintenance and management, was established in June 2003 to reflect opinions and demands
from the public in maintenance and management activities, and is actively working on effective
use and maintenance and management of river facilities. The river is now expected to be used
as a resource in the region.

development.

1997

Consideration of
improvement plan

1998

1999

Construction
completed

1996

Construction in Asaba
area started

Designated as a riverof the Hometown
River Improvement
ProjectRiveradministrator

BeforeCollaboration of
the city andresidents started
Parking lots
along the river
were
d
l
d

Local government

Growing
trend in acommunity

Hometown River Improvement
Project Plan was approved

space for town

Hometown River Improvement Plan
Review Committee was establishedutilizing river“Komagawa
Furusato-no-kai”
was establishedconsidering

Project plan reflecting
citizens’ opinion wasdeveloped

long been

Komagawa Citizens’
Council wasestablishedgovernment has

Tsurumai local
government town
development
committee

Residents, etc.

Tsurumai local

Development of
infrastructure

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Transition of approaches
Division of roles
River administrators
Embankment, sluice
pipes, etc.
Improvement phase
Infrastructure
Facility improvement improvement in Asaba
Biotope

Local government

Residents, etc.

Infrastructure
improvement

Parking lot, restrooms, multipurpose
open space

Maintenance andmanagement

Weeding, sludge dredging, waste
disposal, etc.

Weeding, waste disposal,
etc.

Utilization

Public relations of citizens’ campaigns(leaflets and photo exhibitions), offer
of a conference room, and provision ofsurvey materials

Vegetation observation
tours, wild bird watching
tours, environmental
learning, etc.

In-service phase93. Basic items to remember
restoring river environment

in(1) Clarifying problems of the river environment, taking the natural,
historical, and cultural aspects of the river into consideration, to set targets
for restoration.
To set the multi-purposes of river restoration including flood control, ecological recovery as
well as aesthetics and amusement etc., it is important to consider the history of the river andthe culture surrounding the river created in consequence.
Moreover, it is important to understand not only the natural environment but also the social
environment showing how people have dealt with the river, as well as to clarify the problems inriver environment, and determine what is to be restored as a solution to such problems.
Asian Monsoon Rivers are highly variable and productive. They go through floods anddroughts every year. No rivers in this area have been free from flood protection works.
Straightening, reinforcement, channelization, and disconnecting processes have taken place
along the rivers against movable morphology with frequent erosion and deposition.
High natural productivity is sustained by relatively high temperature and humidity. Dense
populations in Asian countries have been supported by rich irrigated paddy fields. These goodconditions are often also good for invasive alien species. Land use demand has turned historic
floodplain into farmlands and parking lots. Water quality is deteriorated not only in urban rivers
but also in rural streams. Recreational use and public access have been lost in many cultural
waterfronts.
River environment is not so simply structured that single project causes multiple damages
and/or recoveries. Our present knowledge is too limited to build up a perfect plan to improve
everything at once. It is necessary to identify prior targets for river restoration.

Hraki Ukiyo-e Musium

Old lively Sumida River around 1800

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Sumida River with its life recovered today (Japan)

Below, let us see some problems of river environment in China, South Korea, and Japan.

10

3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(a) Problems concerning the water environment (quality / quantity)(i) Problems on water environment in China (water quality and quantity)
A series of new water problems have risen in recent 20 years with population growth andrapid economic development, including: the increase of water pollution of rivers and lakes;
excessive exploitation of water resources for living water due to the contradiction between the
supply and requirement of water resources; large-scale reclamation of lakes, floodplains andwetlands; the destruction of soil and water resources because of deforestation and land
reclamation in upper rivers; the negative impact of large-scale hydraulic engineering on riverand lake ecosystems. According to statistics, the national emission of sewage and waste was 68
billion tons in 2003; the rivers whose water quality is worse than the Ⅳ* grade occupied 38% of
the total river length; northern river pollution is more serious while the rate ofstandard-obtained of Haihe, Huaihe and Liaohe River water functional areas was less than 40%;
water shortage of rivers in eastern region also increased.
(* Water quality Ⅳ means the water is lightly polluted.)

China River Restoration Network

Dead fishes because of river water pollution (China)

China River Restoration Network

Bloom in Taihu lake in 2007 (China)

11

(ii) Problems on water environment in Korea (water quality and quantity)
The state of the River has been deteriorating since the pollutants continued to accumulate
within the riverbeds due to the reduction of water and increase of algae, especially during thedry season. Based on the water quality data from the Korean ministry of environment, annual
water quality of most rural River has worsened although that of urban River has not worsened
significantly due to the extra water supply (e.g., rainwater harvesting, exterior water pumping,etc.) to the urban River. Since wastewater from factories and other waste systems (e.g., daily
sewage and livestock waste) flow into the rural river directly, water quality of most rural River
has not been improved.

Korea River Restoration Network

Agricultural pollutants around the river

Contaminated urban river(Korea)(Jang-su River, Korea)

Korea River Restoration Network

12

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Contaminated rural river

Dryness of urban river(Seung-gi River, Korea)(Do-rim River, Korea)

3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(iii) Problems on water environment in Japan (water quality and quantity)
The major problems that should be solved to maintain a good water environment include“water pollution” and “decrease in river flow rate in normal state”.
Water pollution (pollution by hazardous substances and organic contamination such as
eutrophication) is caused mainly by industrial effluent and domestic wastewater that increases
due to population growth, and urbanization associated with economic growth. It has various
adverse impacts, including damage to human health, deterioration of living environment suchas impediments to water use, diminished awareness of the relationship between human beings
and water, and deterioration of aquatic organisms and ecosystems. A decrease in river flow rate
due to excessive use of water in rivers and basins may cause water pollution and adversely
affect sediment transport in rivers, and lead to a deterioration of water-retaining and infiltrationof surrounding soil, a decrease in groundwater level, and spring depletion. Furthermore, theloss of variation that rivers inherently have may bring a change to the habitats of living things.
To restore a desirable river environment, ensuring moderate water quality and quantity is aprerequisite for promoting creation of a lively waterfront space and restoring the naturalenvironment in rivers as mentioned later. It is very important to comprehensively grasp andunderstand the problems relating to the water environment, as well as water amenities andbiodiversity.

Bureau ofEnvironment Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Pollution due to domestic wastewater in 1970’s(Tama River, Japan)

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Recession area downstream of a dam(Aga River, Japan)

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Wastewater from a combined sewerage systemin heavy rain (Kanda River, Japan)

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Urban river which had once been a clear stream(Shibuya River, Japan)

13

(b) Problems concerning the affinity of the river space for water(i) Problems on water amenities in riverfront space in China
In the hydrophilic space design of river, measures including straightening and deepening theriver channel, reinforcement banks with concrete, increasing the height of embankments, dams
building, and river diversions are adopted for flood control. These caused the loss of river
channel and recreation area. Meanwhile, the open space of waterfront and other public urban
space in many cities lack of reasonable convergence and transition, adequate open area andconvenient public footpath directly associated with the waterfront.

China River Restoration Network

Separation between river and people (China)

China River Restoration Network

River affinity space improved (Taohuajiang River, China)

14

3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(ii) Problems on water amenities in riverfront space in Korea
Urbanization on river has several negative effects and one of them is loss of recreational use
due to the lack of public access in parts of the basin. On the other hand, river is disconnectedfrom its historic floodplain/wetland and appears to be highly over-utilized by the public.
Significant utilizations for parking lots and farmland along the river have been a main problem
in Korea, and brought considerable deterioration to the river landscape and water quality. In
fact, well designed river restoration projects could also enhance river aesthetics and reduce
landscape maintenance costs.

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Parking lot (Yangjae-Cheon, Korea)

Korea River Restoration Network

Farmland in Busan (Nakdong River, Korea)

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

River bed road in Daejeon

Straightened Concrete Channel(Daejeon-Cehon, Korea)(Hampyong-Cheon, Korea)

15

(iii) Problems on water amenities in riverfront space in Japan
Past river improvement works include the construction of high levees and steep revetments
covered by concrete, which allowed us to ensure a very high level of security against floods. On
the other hand, the riverfront space became inaccessible, and the water amenity space as arecreation area together with and the originally beautiful river landscape were lost. People lostinterest in the riverfront space where the water environment had deteriorated, and city
planning in urban river basins was promoted in disregard of rivers. Awareness of therelationship between rivers and human beings diminished. People’s daily lives became moredistant from rivers, and waterfront history and culture were gradually forgotten. As a result, theprevious bustle of the riverfront space disappeared.
Recently, in order to restore the affinity and connection to rivers, there is an increasing needfor efforts to incorporate river improvement in city planning, and enhance water amenities in
the riverfront space.

Yuji Miura

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

River and urban area separated by high levees (Japan)

Kazuya Egami

City streets designed in disregard of the river (Japan)

16

Inaccessible riverfront space (Japan)

Yuji Miura

River landscape spoiled by an expressway (Japan)

3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(c) Problems concerning the natural environment of the river(i) Problems on the natural environment of the river in China
The stresses of hydraulic engineering on river ecosystem can be concluded into two aspects.
First is from article alteration of rivers such as channelization and disconnecting of natural rivers.
Second is the inter-basin water transfer project. Channelization of natural rivers include thelinearization of longitudinal morphology, regularization of river transect and induration of slope
material. The disconnecting of natural rivers include the longitudinal disconnecting of dam
construction and the lateral disconnecting of embankment construction. Furthermore, exotic
species are invaded into the rivers, lakes and reservoirs due to trade, immigration, tourism, war
and many other factors. According to preliminary investigation, there are invasion species suchas Eichhornia crassipes, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Mikania micrantha.

China River Restoration Network

River covered with artificial concrete revetment (Boyang River, China)

China River Restoration Network

Species invasion-Water Hyacinth (China)

17

(ii) Problems on the natural environment of the river in Korea
Recently burcucumbers (Sicyos angulatus) introduced from North America has been spread
rapidly along rivers, affecting substantially on the river ecosystem and resulting in declinationof indigenous vegetation. In order to prevent spreading of burcumbers, local governments
mobilize work forces to exterminate this introduced species, but fail to achieve desired results.
Research is under way to develop ecological ways to eliminate burcucumbers.
Rapid introduction and growth of plants in the last decade have promoted land-forming
waterfront areas with clean and plantless sands. Ecoriver21 research project has made a study
to control land-forming.

Korear Restoration Network

Burcucumbers closely grown along a stream (Naesung River, Korea)

Korear Restoration Network

River of which waterfront is under way of landforming(Naesung River, Korea)

18

3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(iii) Problems on the natural environment of the river in Japan
Past river improvement works, including straightening and smoothing of river channels anddevelopment of revetments, have significantly increased security against floods, while various
features, such as the destabilizing effects of floods that rivers inherently have, diversification of
the natural environment, and longitudinal/transverse continuity, have been lost.
Reportedly, there have been many cases in which alien species have invaded rivers and havethreatened the habitats of Japanese indigenous species in recent years.
Therefore, for the purpose of restoring ecosystems and other natural environments which had
been destroyed in the past, the “Act on the Promotion of Nature Restoration” (2002) and the“Basic Guideline for Nature-Oriented River Management” (2006) were drawn up. Planning,
design and construction have been carried out in view of the natural environment of rivers.

Rino Sugahara

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Destroyed waterfront environment where there is little natural/artificial destabilization(Ochiai River, Japan)

Shinichi Yoshimura

Chikuma River Office Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau ,MLIT

Losing transverse direction continuity by

Dry riverbeds covered with alien species

revetment (Itachi River, Japan)(Chikuma River, Japan)

19Column3: Restoration targets of nature restoration project in Japan

30
25
20
15
10
5
地域・文化の再生

流域／景観再生

都市の自然環境再生

水質再生

蛇行復元

水循環（水量）再生

水田等との連続再生

河道の連続性再生

ヨシ原再生

瀬・淵・水際の再生

礫河原再生

Restoration of region/culture

Restoration of basin/landscapes

Restoration of the naturalenvironment in urban areas

Restoration of water quality

Restoration of meanderings

Restoration of water cycle(amount of water)

Restoration of the continuity
between river channel and rice
fieldsRestoration of continuity of river
channelRestoration of reed fields

Restoration of riffles/pools/riveredges

Restoration of gravel bars

Countermeasures against exotic
species/restoration of particularspecies (rare species)

外来種対策・特定種再生0
干潟・湿地再生

再生対象の件数35

Restoration of tidal
wetland/marshes

Number of restoration cases by target

The Figure shows the proportions of each target of 51 recent nature restoration cases inclass-A rivers of Japan. The restoration of tidal wetland/marshes comes first, and it is followedby countermeasures against exotic species/ conservation and restoration of specified species(rare species). Targeted species are crested ibis, Ciconia boyciana, Thorea okadae, etc., which
are representative national or regional living organisms. Countermeasures against exotic
species target plants such as Robinia pseudoacacia and Solidago altissima. In many cases, therestoration of particular species and countermeasures against exotic species are combined.
These are followed by the restoration of gravel bars, riffles/pools/river edges, and continuity
between rivers and rice fields. “Regions/culture” at the right end is named as a restoration
target in many cases, although it is not a target of nature restoration. This shows that regional
activation efforts combining the basin and town planning are conceived as a part of nature
restoration.

Restoration targets of 51 nature restoration project in class A rivers of Japan(up to 3 targets for each case)

Source: Foundation Riverfront improvement and Restoration, CTI Engineering Co., Ltd

20

3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(2) Planning river restoration from the viewpoint of the basin
In planning to restore a river or part of a river, it is important to consider it from the viewpointof the whole basin (rather than considering it as a point or a line). Namely, we should consider
the connection between phases such as water circulation, movement of sediment and livingorganisms upstream or downstream or horizontally to the land, as well as local people’s
activities centered around the river.

Sediment control

Forest conservation

Upstream of the river
Conservation of the
Nutrient salts control in theorganism-growing environment

Conservation of beautiful
scenery

whole river system

Securing the movement

Securing continuityof organisms

in the water area

Midstream and downstreamof the river
Korea
River Restoration
Network
Conservationof natural

Securing comfortable water

Water quantity/quality control inamenities

the whole river system

spaces in town

Creating local history andcultureEstuary, coastal zone

Conservation of brackish water

Improvement of the living

environments

environment

River restoration from the viewpoint of the basin
Source: Nurturing Nature and People・・・Exciting River Creation, Future River Environment, RFC

21

(3) Considering river restoration based on dynamism of rivers
For river restoration, it is important to respect to a maximum the natural and inherent
activities of the river such as change of stream flow and river course. If a river is rehabilitatedin excess its force, on the other hand, new problems may sometimes arise.

Korea River Restoration Network

After dredging (2001.4)

Korea River Restoration Network

After flood (2001.6)
River was dredged for flood protection purpose and sediment was
deposited in river bed just after 2 months (Imjin River, Korea)

Miharu Dam Management Office

Attempt to restore the supply of sediment by transferring sediment deposited in
the dam to downstream (Abukuma River, Japan)

22

3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(4) Proceeding with river restoration in cooperation with the local people
concerned
To proceed with a river environment restoration project smoothly and continuously, it isimportant for the local people related to the river (community residents, water users, fishermen,
administrative agencies, etc.) to cooperate closely from the first stage of setting a restoration
plan and to find a restoration method that would be accepted in the surrounding region.

China River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Field study about river dike in Hubei Province

River restoration network's activity as part of an(China)effort to improve river environment(Incheon, Korea)

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Field study with the local residents and stakeholders (Tenou River, Japan)

23

4. Implementation approaches
river environment restoration

for(1) Outline of measures toward river environment restoration
Methods of river restoration differ depending on the current river condition and the futuretarget river condition. The situation may also be different depending on what is to be
reproduced in the particular river. Therefore, it is important for the local people concerned toclarify the target of restoration and decide the order of precedence of measures to be taken.

Water

Resources

in

Japan

2008

–

Shifting

tocomprehensive water resource management – Water
Resources Department, Land and Water Bureau, MLIT

An example of a river environment evaluation axis

In this guide, a sequence of measures to restore a good river environment is introduced,
starting with activities that we can undertake. Cooperation with the administrative agency
controlling the river is then described, which is indispensable for activities for the entire
watershed. Cooperation with specialists such as engineers and researchers is also described,
which is necessary for solving high-level technological issues.
We hope that readers can find a method of river restoration in this chapter after taking into
consideration the “viewpoints in understanding the nature of rivers,” “points to remember when
restoring the river environment,” and “circumstances of each river” shown in the first half of thisguide.
[Basic research for understanding rivers](2) Survey and research to clarify the nature of rivers

Measures to be implemented in a unified manner in the region[Environmental education, capacity
building, and information sharing](3) Creating awareness among residents in the basin[Consensus building andorganizational cooperation](4) Building consensus for sustainable activities

Technical and institutional solutions[Recovery of water quality
and quantity](5) Securing healthy water
quality and quantity[Recoveryofwater
amenities](6) Creating a lively waterfront
space and water amenity space

Flow of scheme in this chapter

24[Restore of nature](7) Restoration of nature andeco-compatible river4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration(2) Survey and research to clarify the nature of rivers(a) Collection of information to be the basis for understanding basins and rivers
What we should do to restore the river environment is to research the actual condition of theriver including its background and natural environment. Concretely, information on the history
and cultural social environment showing how the river and people related should be collected
through local people and documents. It is also necessary to understand the naturalenvironment surrounding the river such as the quantity of precipitation in the whole basin,
subsequent change in flow volume and water level of the river, water quality, and organisms
living in the river through field study or by using the results of surveys conducted in the past.
Some of these basic researches can be conducted by us but for others, we should depend on
specialists. In any case, however, obtaining information from these researches is the first step
towards restoring the river environment.

China River Restoration Network

China River Restoration Network

Field investigation about river dike slope protection (Oujiang River, China)

Korea River Restoration Network

Fishes survey (Korea)

AquaRestoration
RestorationResearch
ResearchCenter,
Center,PWRI
PWRI
Aqua

Fishes survey (Japan)

25

(b) Studies and researches to obtain new knowledge
There are many points that have not been clarified such as the effect of human activities upon
the river environment. To find the desirable river condition in the future, it is important to
conduct academic researches and surveys in addition to conventional basic researches and toaccumulate new scientific knowledge.

China River Restoration Network

River investigation with laser scanning technology (China)Group AＡ
グループＡ
グループ
G
roup B
グループＢ
グループＢ

グループＣ
グループＣ

Group C

Korea River Restoration Network

Analysis of relationship between vegetation andWater Quality Engineering laboratory, Tohoku University

Grouping of populations which have a similar

ground water level to prevent land-forming ofgenetic structure based on DNA polymorphism

water channels (Korea)

analysis (example of 6 river systems in the central
and south area of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan)

26

4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration

Column 4: Know the past and present of the river environment (Case of Japan)
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and local governments have,since 1990, conducted a “national census on riverfront environments”. The census covers 109
Class-A rivers and major Class-B rivers in Japan, as well as dams under direct control of theministry, those managed by the Water Resources Development Public Corporation, and thosesubsidized by government. The purpose of the census is to collect and organize basic data bylooking at rivers from an “environmental” perspective.
The census consists of several surveys, including a bio-assessment survey itemized into six
categories (fish/shellfish, benthic animals, plants, birds, amphibians/reptiles/mammals, andland-dwelling insects and others), and river surveys examining the conditions of shallows, deep
pools, etc. In addition, a “survey on the actual situation of river space usage” has been carriedout to examine how rivers are used by people.
A bio-assessment survey is carried out on all the rivers surveyed in such a way that a seriesof surveys by category are completed over a period of several years.
The census results have been utilized as basic data which form the basis of manyenvironmentally-conscious river projects.

As an example, the results of “national census on riverfront environments” can becollated as nationwide data on the actual condition and transition of riverenvironments. Impacts can be summarized based on the census results as follows:
・Secular changes in the habitats of alien organisms
・Compilation of case examples of the impact of alien organisms
Fiscal year 1990 - 1995
１ 巡目 ： 29/76 河川(水系)

29/76 rivers： 確認さ れた河川(水系)

Fiscal year 1996 - 2000
2 巡目 ： 68/119 河川(水系)

68/119 rivers： 確認さ れなかっ た河川(水系):River system where bluegill was confirmed

Fiscal year 2001 - 2005
3 巡目 ： 69/122 河川(水系)

69/122 rivers

図は種の確認さ れた河川(水系)を 示すも のであり 、確認位置、範囲を 示すも のではない。

:River system where bluegill was not confirmed

Example of compiled data on the distribution expansion of bluegill (alien species) over time27

(3) Creating awareness among residents in the basin(a) Environmental education and capacity building
An important point in addition to basic research for river restoration is to find out what
approach we can take on a regular basis, transmit such an approach throughout the region aspart of ecological education, and preserve it through the generations.
To regenerate a once-destroyed river environment, there are many actions to be taken
together with the government such as adoption of new laws and a water clarification system.
However, there are many case examples reported in which the beauty of a once-contaminatedriver has been restored as a result of change in residents’ use of daily water and increase in theirconcerns about the river.

Korea River Restoration Network

Human chain campaign for river clean-up and

Yoichiro Fukutomi

River cleaning activity (Japan)

restoration (Incheon, Korea)

Source: River Landscape Design
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Example of various civil activities related to rivers28

4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration(b) Information-sharing
It is important to provide local residents with various river-related information and share thecurrent river environment and activities toward river restoration among the local people
concerned. Such an approach can strengthen the sense of community among the residents inthe watershed area and contribute to increasing the number of supporters of river restoration
activities.
Outside the watershed area, too, there are organizations that act toward improving riverenvironment restoration. It is also important to share information about cases of success or
failure with them and reflect such information in river restoration activities.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

River Museum

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Holding a workshop(Arakawa Museum of Aqua)

Date base on river environment(Date base of the national census on riverenvironments)

Books, pamphlets, and magazines on river restoration29

(4) Building consensus for sustainable activities
To continue the river restoration approach, it is essential to establish a system where local
people related to the river act cooperatively by sharing economical and spiritual benefits andvalues brought by river restoration.
It also is necessary in some cases to lobby the administrative agencies concerned toward
introduction of new systems or easing of regulations to promote river restoration activities
efficiently and smoothly.

Outline of Law for the Promotion of
Nature Restoration, Natural
Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment

Building consensus among stakeholders

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Using a model to built consensus©Shimane Prefecture/©JNTO

Restoration of freshwater clams(Shinji Lake, Japan)©JNTO

Vitalization of the regional economy and water
quality improvement by restoration of
freshwater clams (Popular soup using local
freshwater clams)

Toyooka River and National Highway Office, Kinki Regional
Development Bureau, MLIT

Regenerating storks in Maruyama River(Maruyama River, Japan)

30

Toyooka city

Vitalization of the region by regeneratingstorks (Local special products associatedwith the name of stork)

4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration

Column 5: Tools for visualization to help consensus building
At a meeting in which various river basin stakeholders participate for consensus building, an
understandable explanation should be given to the participants according to their level ofcomprehension within a restricted timeframe. For that purpose, it is important to make use of“visualization” tools that give clear visual pictures of the project menu, its effects, etc.
The “RFC Viewer”, for which research and development has been carried out by theFoundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration, is an example of such a visualization
tool. It can instantly provide stereoscopic visual pictures of a river environment improvement
plan, including nature-oriented river management and natural restoration of the river. It makes
it possible to give a comprehensible explanation of river development to diversified targets,
including the general public.
Sophisticated spatial designs are re-created by introduction of the 3D imaging

CG image reproducing the actual situation

CG image of a draft renovation plan

Main features of the RFC Viewer- Plans for river channel forms, etc. (excavation/banking)It is possible to freely carry out excavation or banking on thescreen

based

on

the

existing

landform,andtochange(1) Existing landform(manipulate) the form of a river channel while visually confirming
the progress. It is also possible to estimate soil volume in the area
after it is changed.

- Plans for landscaping
Trees, plants, animals and humans can be added to the image on
the screen, which makes it easy to acquire a picture of landscaping.

(2) Excavation

It is also possible to change the water level and confirm the imageof the landscape according to the difference in the height of thewater surface.

- Modification of the downward-view point(1) Distant view

(2) Near view

(3) Landscaping(3) Direction of eyes

Source：Foundation for riverfront improvement and restoration31

(5) Securing healthy water quality and quantity
The first technological and political solution to restore rivers’ environment is to restore thewater volume and quality of rivers.
A river whose water is kept in good quality accommodates and nurtures a great variety ofliving things. Also, such a river is cherished by people. To improve the water quality of a polluted
river, there are two kinds of solutions. One involves all the communities along the river, whomake efforts to prevent polluted water from flowing into the river . The other purifies thepolluted river’s water, or brings some clean water into it.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Water quality improvement in thewhole basin by sewer system

Example of measures effective for improving water quality

We take a lot of water out of a river for household, agricultural, and industrial uses. These
intakes should be regulated. Also, the right volume of water must be maintained to let living
things live and grow in it, and ships and boats run in the river. It is, therefore, important to let
the right volume of water flow in the river to maintain a river’s natural environment and uses.
Measures to secure the required volume of water include, among others, those to be takenby the communities in a river basin. For instance, they must not withdraw excessive volumes ofwater. Also, they need to store rainwater or let such water penetrate into the soil, to prevent
rainwater from running into the river right away. There are other measures to secure new water
sources – bringing in some water from another river basin, using water from treated sewage,
and so on.

Example of measures for improving water quantity
CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Babbling stream using treated water

Below, let us see some examples of the efforts to restore river water quality and volume in
China, South Korea, and Japan.

32

4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration(a) Efforts for restoration of water environment in China
Water treatment measures mainly include artificial wetland technology, bio-membrane
technology, bio-manipulation techniques and plant purification technology. The function of
artificial wetland is the physical-chemical-biological synthesis effects, including plant uptake,substrate adsorption and microbial degradation and so on. Bio-membrane technologies include
biological corridor, biological filter and bio-contact oxidation ponds. Bio-manipulation techniqueaims to use the food chain hierarchy to control algal growth and eutrophication. Plant
purification technologies mainly include biological floating bed and riparian plant repair
techniques.

China River Restoration Network

Heituwa artificial wetland of Guanting
reservoir (Yongding River, China)

Heituwa artificial underflow wetland demonstration
project aims to use artificial wetlands technology tocontrol inflow pollution and improve water quality in
Guanting reservoir. Heituwa artificial underflow
wetland system consists of two parts: artificial wetlandand stabilization pond. The system brings the heavily
polluted water from the upstream of Guanting reservoir
into the stabilization pond. After preliminary
purification, part of the water discharge into thereservoir directly, the other part are introduced into theartificial wetland for deep treatment which can achieve
the Ⅲ-V* class standard of surface water.
* Water quality Ⅲ means the water can generally be used in fishery.
Water quality Ⅳ means the water is lightly polluted.
Water quality V means the water is seriously polluted.

(b) Efforts for restoration of water environment in Korea
The Water Environment Management Master Plan proposed by the Ministry of Environment(MOE) presents the government’s policy directions for the next 10 years (2006~2015). It aims
to promote ecologically healthy water environment to ensure high quality water which breaks
away from a policy that has been geared almost solely toward existing point sources of
conventional pollutants deteriorating water quality, including BOD. The master plan presents
policy directions for eight areas, including the promotion of ecologically healthy water
environment. As a part of the plan, the government keeps expanding the investment inenvironmental infrastructures (e.g. wastewater treatment, sewerage treatment and sewerpipe) and enhancing investment efficiency.
Building various waste water facilities
To treat pollutant point source, sewage waste water
treatment facilities, village level sewage pipelines,
animal wastes treatment facilities, and reinforcementof TP treatment facilities should be constructed tosecure healthy water quality. To control the pollutant
non-point source, rainwater retention facilities,
ecological detention pond, and agricultural pond andKorea River Restoration Network
ecological wetland are also required.
Ecological detention pond and agricultural poundare installed (Korea)

33

(c) Efforts for restoration of water environment in Japan
Specific measures taken to ensure the quality and quantity of water include: (1) legal
restrictions (e.g., control of water quality pollution in accordance with the regulations on
industrial effluent and domestic wastewater, development of sewer systems, forest
preservation in the entire basin area, and improvement of recharge functions by promotion of
rainwater harvesting), and rationalization of water use; (2) supply of environmental flow (e.g.
water conveyance from other basins, utilization of reclaimed water and surplus groundwater,
and increase of river flow rate by flexible operation of dams); and (3) river purification (e.g.
dredging of sediment, introduction of purification facilities to facilitate contactoxidation/pollutant removal by vegetation/aeration, and water quality improvement throughriver cleaning activities by local residents).

Efforts for legal restrictions in water
environment administration (Japan)(1) Legal restrictions
For half a century since the enactment of the Water Quality
Conservation Act on Public Water and the Law on Regulation ofIndustrial Wastewater in 1958, in order to prevent water quality
pollution and enhance water retention capacity and recharge
functions in river basins, the Japanese government haveintroduced various legal regulations, such as regulations on
industrial effluent and domestic wastewater, regulations onunderground seepage of hazardous substances, purification ofpolluted groundwater, and special measures concerning
preservation of the water quality of drinking water sources. In
addition, efforts to reduce the pollution burden are being made byestablishingenvironmental
standards
andcontinuously
monitoring water quality.

(2) Supply of environmental flow
In the Meguro River basin flowing through Tokyo Prefecture,
water quality has significantly improved by developing sewer
systems compared to the level during the period of great
economic growth. Toward further improvement in the water
environment, the following measures are being taken: release ofreclaimed water under the Jonan Three Rivers Limpid Stream
Restoration Project, utilization of surplus groundwater fromsubway tunnels, and experiments on water quality purification
using water with a high concentration of dissolved oxygen. In
collaboration with local communities, various efforts to improvewater quality and quantity have been made for a long time torestore its waterfront environment where people can enjoy
cherry-blossom viewing. As a result, the river is now designatedas one of the “One Hundred Examples of Revived Waterways”.

Fishway
Boulder
Weir
Foot protection
block

Boulder
Weir

Foot protection
block
Yamato River and National Highway Office, Kinki Regional
Development Bureau, MLIT

River purification by the “riffles and pools
purification method” (Yamato River, Japan)

34

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Utilization of reclaimed water andgroundwater (Meguro River, Japan)(3) River purification
In the Yamato River basin flowing through Osaka
Prefecture, measures for effective water quality
improvement have been taken with a combination ofvarious purification methods: the “riffles and pools
purification method” that uses the self-purification
mechanism inherent in rivers, the “gravel contactoxidation method” that allows microorganisms on thesurface of gravel to absorb and decompose polluting
substances by making polluted water flow slowly
through gaps between gravel, the “vegetation pollutant
removal method” that purifies water by making waterflow through reed fields which have a natural
self-purification mechanism, and the “sand filtration +separation method” that purifies water by making waterflow widely and shallowly through gravel laid as acontact material on the riverbed.

4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration(6) Creating a lively waterfront and water amenity space
A second technological and political solution to restore river environments is to make rivers
more accessible.
Along many rivers, many residents “get along” with the river in many ways, for instanceusing its water and the spaces along it daily, and holding traditional events and festivities
related to it. Such river-human relationships have created a great diversity of local community
cultures and history, while the waterfronts thrive with many living things, including humans.
It is, therefore, important to create more opportunities for people to “get along” with rivers
by making them more accessible to people, so that people can use rivers safely and more
comfortably. These opportunities help the people living along a river to become more concerned
about it. This is crucial to restoration of the river’s natural environment, including its water
quality, volume and all the other aspects.
At the same time, development of such waterfront spaces should be integrated with city
planning around the river, to improve the environment of the whole region along the river.
Allowing waterfronts to thrive can lead to vitalization of the communities along them as well.

4th ARRN’s International forum

Water festival(Chao Pharaya River, Thailand)
Example of measures effective for improving water amenities

2nd ARRN’s International forum

2nd ARRN’s International forum

Landscaping of Yangtze River waterfront (Wuhan, China)

Below, let us see some examples of the efforts to restore water amenities in China, South
Korea, and Japan.

35

(a) Efforts for improvement of water amenity of riverfront space in China
On the basis of realizing the social and economic functions of flood control and water supply,
rivers can be restored to natural conditions through appropriate artificial intervention to
improve the ecological value and aesthetic value. The riparian areas including floodplains,
ponds and wetlands can be planned as the river protection and management areas with
sufficient width or designed as ecological conservation area or public recreation area.

25 hectares grass are planted to form riparian
green ring. The centre of the green belt are dottedwith 13 distinctive small garden where areoccupied by exotic architectural buildings andurban sculptures.

China River Restoration Network

Water amenity space (Funan River, China)(b) Efforts for improvement of water amenity of riverfront space in Korea
Businesses and amenities will be moved towards the waterfront to create a lively waterfront
in many countries. The design goals are to combine natural features with great river restoration
management plan to further enhance this already dynamic place to live, work, and visit.

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Waterfront area made to a swimming pool for children

Green ways for strolling and cycling in theand resting place for residents (Korea)

waterfront area of an urban stream (Korea)

Korea River Restoration Network

A golf park for senior citizens in the waterfront area (Korea)

36

4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration(c) Efforts for improvement of water amenity of riverfront space in Japan
Specific measures taken to improve the water amenity of riverfront space include: (1)development of water amenity space (e.g., building of water-friendly revetments and water
amenity parks); (2) waterfront development in conjunction with town development (e.g.,building of footpaths and open cafés at the waterfront); and (3) preservation of waterfront
landscape (e.g. development of riverfront space in harmony with the surrounding landscape,and cleaning activities at the waterfront).

Shimane Prefecture

Water amenity space harmonizing waterfront(1) Development of water amenity space
Tsuwano Town, through which the Tsuwano Riverflows, is a historic town that still carries the appearanceof an old castle town with old town houses and roadsidecanals. In order to revitalize the region by using water
culture in the Tsuwano River and channels, riverrestoration was started under the “Hometown River
Improvement Project” in 1989. Diverse facilities weredeveloped, including footpaths and stepped revetmentsallowing access to the waterfront, and masonry
revetments matched to the landscape of Tsuwano
Castle. As a result, a water amenity space in harmony
with the Tsuwano River and historic town was created.

area and town（Tsuwano River, Japan）(2) Waterfront development in conjunction withtown development
The Dotombori River flowing through the center of
Osaka City had once been used as a ship course,
irrigation canal, etc. But later, the riverfront and the citywere separated by revetment development as part offlood control measures and water quality pollution. To
restore the water city of Osaka, footpaths “Tombori RierWalk” that could offer water amenities were constructedalong the Dotombori River in 2004. Moreover, gateways
to shops along the river were built in these footpaths,
and the connection between the waterfront and urban
area was restored.

China River Restoration Network

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Beautiful waterfront landscape protected by
the region（Ichinosaka River, Japan）

Yuj Miura

Footpaths connecting the waterfront andurban area（Dotombori River, Japan）(3) Preservation of waterfront landscapeIn the Ichinosaka River flowing through Yamaguchi
City, revetments were changed from concrete ones tomasonry ones, and its historic landscape and habitat for
fireflies were restored. Since then, local residents havecontinued cleaning activities and release of fireflies. For
the purpose of creating a cityscape in harmony with thebeautiful scenery of the Ichinosaka River which is aviewing spot for cherry blossoms and fireflies, the“Ichinosaka River Surrounding Area Landscape
Guidelines” were formulated in 1995. Based on theguidelines, town development centered on the
Ichinosaka River has been promoted.

37

(7) Restoration of nature to regain the natural environment of the river
A third technological and political solution to restore river environments is to bring natureback to the river.
Powered by natural erosions, transportations of substances, and depositions, rivers create agreat variety of micro-topographies, which are in constant change. Taking advantage of such
wealth of topographies, many living things live and grow in each locality, adapting to the local
environment. Also, each river has its own, one-of-a-kind landscape. Moreover, these river
spaces are connected to the upstream and downstream regions as well as to the surrounding
land areas, enabling numerous living things to move among them.
In bringing nature back to a river, therefore, two things are crucial: one is to preserve or
restore an environment where living things appropriate to the place can live and grow. The
other is to ensure continuity with the upstream and downstream regions, as well as between theriver and its surrounding basin.
At the same time, recently, expanding human activities have been bringing some species
into places where they did not traditionally exist. These exotic species are threatening theexisting species’ life and growth. It is, therefore, also necessary to prevent entry of exotic
species and eliminate such exotic influxes.

4th ARRN’s International forum

Securing river continuity(Anyang River, Korea)

Example of measures effective for restoring nature

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Regeneration of the gravel river bed inherent (Kinu River, Japan)

Below, let us see some examples of the efforts to restore nature in China, South Korea, andJapan.

38

4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration(a) Efforts for natural restoration of rivers in China
Expanding the floodplain space could enhance flood control capacity and the lateralconnectivity of rivers and increase wetland area. River and lake interconnected project,
cooperating with urban water operation system could ensure the water system connectivity.
And sometimes if necessary, part of the dams should be removed. The meandering of river, thediversity of river cross-section and porosity of slope material should be restored to improve
habitat spatial heterogeneity. The native species of river corridor should be restored,
cooperating with necessary plant cultivation and other biological measures.

China River Restoration Network

Natural river environment(Kuxihe River, China)

A series of engineering measures are taken during
planning to improve the spatial heterogeneity of ecologicallandscape, maintain the natural meandering and follow
the natural geo-morphological features. A variety ofcomplex channel cross-section and porous permeable
revetment materials are selected. At the same time, somemeasurements are utilized, e.g. fully maintaining theoriginal landscape, such as waterfalls, making use ofnative vegetation, repairing the existing bridges andbuilding a river landscape with a hydrophilic concept.

(b) Efforts for natural restoration of rivers in Korea
The water community in Korea is promoting collaborative activities that better coordinate theimplementation of river restoration and local government, promote sustainable management
approaches, and bring the know-how, energy, and strengths of many different stakeholders to
the table. The government also tries to promote, facilitate and support best practice in river,watercourse and floodplain management across the Korea. Main focuses are to improve theenvironmental health of a river that is indicated by expanded habitat for diverse species.
Enhancements may also include improved water quality and achieving a self-sustaining,
functional flow regime in the stream system.

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Eco-path secured through removal of weir (Hantan River, Korea)

Securing eco-path by removing weirs which lost their functions
A high weir located in the lowest part of the Hantan River was a structure of 2.8m in heightand 190m in length, and has no fish ladder. The structure obstructs migration of fish and hada bad influence on the ecosystem. As the artificial structure is removed completely,organisms in the river can migrate freely, and the river has recovered its original shape.

39

(c) Efforts for natural restoration of rivers in Japan
Measures taken to conserve and restore biodiversity in rivers include: (1) efforts forconservation and restoration of the river environment, including the nature restoration project
taking advantage of river disturbance effects; (2) river development focused on ensuringlongitudinal/transverse continuity in rivers, including nature-oriented river management; and(3) eradication of alien species to protect ecosystems in rivers.
(1) Conservation and restoration of the river environment
The Chikuma River once had many streams with expansive sand gravel bars, and had been a very
good biotope for river organisms.
But recently, its riverbed has been lowered by gravel extraction, etc., and its high-water channels
have largely turned into land (aridification). It was also confirmed that plant species specific toriversides have decreased and that alien species, such as Robinia pseudoacacia and Sicyos angulatus,
have invaded the area.
Therefore, high-water channels were excavated
so that the power of flood could create a riverenvironment suited to the spot. However, rivers havewide fluctuations in flowrates, etc., and it can be said
Foundation
forRiverfront
that this situation is “only a phase in the fluctuation Chikuma River Office Hokuriku
Improvement and Restoration
Regional Development Bureau ,MLIT
process”. So the change in the environment should be
Case in which high-water channels areobserved by monitoring for a longer period of time.
excavated and natural disturbances areused (Chikuma River, Japan)

Shinichi Yoshimura

Creation of natural sandbars bymaintaining sufficient river width(Kurome River, Japan)(2) Ensuring longitudinal/transverse continuity in rivers
The Kurome River is an urban river, along which there arerows of cherry trees. Its existing riverbed was lowered topreserve the rows of cherry trees along river banks and ensure
it’s down flow capability.
By maintaining sufficient river width and leaving enoughspace to respond to changes in water routes and river banks
due to the effects of the running water in the river channel, it
became possible to allow sand gravel to accumulate in theinside bend, which led to success in conserving a riverenvironment that would allow the creation of natural sandbars.
In recent years, the river has also become known as the siteof a regional spring event, as well as a fishing spot where many
people enjoy catching Ayu.

(3) Eradication of alien species
In the Kakita River, known as one of Japan’s
most famous spring water rivers, alien plants,
such as Water speedwell, have grown thickly inthe river channel and have threatened thehabitats of precious species living in the Kakita
River, such as Ranunculus nipponicus var.
japonicus.
To respond to this, citizen volunteers havecontinued to engage in the eradication of alienplants in the Kakita River every month. Thanks totheir efforts, the beautiful river environment has
now been kept alive.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Eradication of alien plants in the river channel by
citizen volunteers(above: before eradication, below:
after eradication) (Kakita River, Japan)

40

5.Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration(1) Case studies of river restoration in China

Xingjiangtang River
Background of river restoration
Xinjiangtang River is a plain river network, which usually has moderate flow velocity.
Problems such as sedimentation, water and soil loss, shrinkage of water area, water quality
deterioration are ubiquitous in Xinjiangtang River. More over, navigation in the river
gradually faded away in recent years.
Bank erosion in Xinjiangtang River is mainly due to surface soil erosion caused by rain washand slope collapse caused by wave scour.
According to preliminary statistics, of the all river sludge, 60% comes from slope collapse,
30% is from surface soil loss and 10% is from decomposed material of plant.

Project Planning and Design
In combination with the implementation of a research program financed by the Ministry of
Water Resources, from 2004 to 2005, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower
Research was involved in the construction of a pilot project for the ecological restoration of
Xinjiangtang River in Haining County of Zhejiang Province by supplying technicalconsultation to local water sector.
The planning and design of Xinjingtang River follows the concept of design with nature toachieve the multi-purposes.
Present platform morphological patterns are kept
and only a few local modifications are conducted tomeet special requirements. The natural meandering
and width of the river channel are maintained.
Floodplain and riparian wetlands are rehabilitated.
Natural cross-section profile is preserved as much as
possible. Compound or trapezoid cross section isadopted only in particular conditions.
China River Restoration Network

The effect and current situation of river restoration
By the implementation of these comprehensive measures, the results of Xinjiangtang River
restoration project accord with primary design. The standard of flood control is improved;
riverbank erosions are effectively controlled; water quality is improved; aquatic animals
and riparian vegetation grow well and the project budget is greatly saved.
By analysis and comparison with historical river treatment achievement, the life cycle isabout 10 to 20 years with the only use of
traditional river dredging. However, river dredging
together with slope protection by use of ecologicalengineering technology can stabilize channel
morphology effectively, and the life span is about
35 to 40 years which nearly double the old life
cycle according to preliminary analysis.
The future management should pay more
attention to river dredging, which can save
investment and the river training will embark on a
China River Restoration Network
more effective circle.
The present Xinjiangtang River41

Zhuanhe River
Background of river restoration
The Zhuanhe River, a segment of the north-ring water system, connects the Summer
Palace and the Chaoyang Park. Zhuanhe River is an urban river system. Zhuanhe River wascovered up from 1975 to 1982, and the river training project started from 2002 to restore
the original appearance of its history.
Along with the development of social economy and people's constant pursuit for better
living environment, people have put forward comprehensive requirements on the trainingof urban lake and river in many aspects including flood prevention, water quality
improvement, ecology conservation and restoration as well as cultural landscape etc.
During the Tenth Five-year Plan period, Beijing focused on the training of water system incentral urban and the investments were increased compared with the past years. In
addition to traditional river training objectives, i.e. flood control and drainage, newobjectives are added in the aspects of landscape and ecological rehabilitations in order torealize the harmonious coexistence of human and natural water.

Project Planning and Design
Its training follows the planning and design principles of maintaining its natural meandering
and width. Stones and wood-like concrete piles, porous and pervious materials and live
vegetation are applied for riverbank protection and erosion control.
The flood control standard is designed with 20 years-flood and checked with 100
years-flood. Wastewater discharge is under strict control and the water surface is expanded
to 15-25m.
To develop tourism, the river is open to navigation. To this end, a new lock, 13 bridges, twodocks, and a sluice are completed.

The effect and current situation of river restoration
Six scenic spots including historical and cultural parks, ecological parks, water scenes withstacked stones, waterfront veranda, hydrophilic land and green channel are formed along
the river.
By the principle of maintaining the current status non-disturbance the basis, the bridge
built in the Liao Dynasty is restored.
After river restoration of Zhuanhe River, the biological diversity is significantly improved,
and the fish, frogs and other species come back to this river. Vegetation and humanlandscape are recognized by the majority of the residents.

China River Restoration Network

The present Zhuanhe River

42

China River Restoration Network

５．Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration(2) Case studies of river restoration in Korea

Cheong gye cheon
Background of river restoration
The Cheong gye cheon, which flows in downtown Seoul was filled up with trash, ground andsand swept from the bare mountains and severely contaminated with wastes from shabby
makeshift houses built alongside in 1940 to 1950s. It became a symbol of poverty andslovenliness, being filled up with trash and wastes.
During industrialization and modernization in 1960 and 1970s, the stream was covered
with concrete and a 5.6 km-long, 16 m-wide elevated highway was completed over the
stream in 1971 after four working years.
A multitude of large and small tool, lighting, shoes, clothes, secondhand book stores wereopened one after another along the concrete-covered stream, attracting some endless linesof customers. Every day there were hundreds of thousands of vehicles passing through thecovered stream and the elevated highway. The area eventually became the busiest andnoisiest sector in Seoul. Then, in the 1990s it came to be regarded as a source of intense
traffic, health and environmental issues.

Korea River Restoration Network

Around 1950

Korea River Restoration Network

After 1971

Korea River Restoration Network

Present

Efforts for river restoration
First, Seoul metropolitan government removed the elevated highway and restored the deadstream under highway. The project was worked for 3 years from 2003 to 2005, with thebudget of 291million US$ aiming for the restoration of history, culture and environment of
Seoul.
As Cheong gye cheon rarely has water in normal, the water of amount 120 thousand ㎥ per
day is supplied from Han River and underground water in subway stations. As a result, thewater depth of 30~40cm can be maintained.
Another effort was made to excavate and restore historical objects and sites in this stream
as well as in some other areas of the city.

Current situation and future prospects of river restoration
Seoul has a clean water flow and a clean environment for fishes and plants in downtown.
Besides, two-lane roads were built on each side of the stream. The 22 bridges and the paths
made on both side of stream help people take a rest alongside or nearby.
This work is making people regain the past pride of those living at the heart of nation's long
history and splendid cultures.
Removal of covered concrete and restoration of stream gives the citizens the good open
space and nature in downtown area and enhancement of the quality of life.
The City of Seoul is planning to expand green areas in residential area to 810 acre and to
widen and develop access roads to the Han River. Also, the city has set the connective
projects to build up a citizen's square and downtown culture/tourism belt designed to turnthe downtown into a place for tourists, along with the Cheong gye cheon.

43

Osan cheon
Background of river restoration
Urbanization and industrialization, which started in the early 1960s, especially accelerated
the degeneration of river ecosystems. Pavements with non-percolated material such asasphalt and concrete in urban areas caused lack of groundwater recharge and thus lack of
stream flow recharge.
In 1994, Osan cheon was selected as a pilot project site and the project was completed in
2003.

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Efforts for river restoration
The river was improved to a close-to-nature river using natural materials.
Parking lots were removed to make an ecological park and farming was banned on the flood
plane.
Gently sloping levees (1:5) were constructed and ecosystem was restored.

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Improvement of Concrete parking lots

Current situation and future prospects of river restoration
The BOD of the Osan cheon reached 2-5ppm, and it has remained stable to meetenvironmental standards after the project.
Response of local residents has increased due to greatly increased use of waterfront park.
Government is monitoring to develop technologies about various environmental methods.

Korea River Restoration Network

Stepping stone

44

Korea River Restoration Network

Foot protection stone

５．Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration

Yang jae cheon
Background of river restoration
The Yang jae cheon, originating from a hilly andmountainous region, is located at the southwest part ofthe metropolitan Seoul, and flows though Gwacheon
City. When large-scale housing projects were
performed in 1970s, the river was straightened toprovide flood protection.
Because of urbanization, the BOD of the Yang jae
cheon reached 15mg/l and the river became asewer-converted river.
Yang jae cheon "park river" project was carried out in
1995, to meet increasing interests in naturalenvironments of local residents as living standards
were improved.

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Efforts for river restoration
The local government carried out the environment improvement project and somecompanies joined in voluntarily.
Various measures were taken to improve water quality. For example, a sewage system was
improved and a water purification system was installed in the basin. The river was improved
up to a close-to-nature river.
The Yang jae cheon has various waterfront facilities. (Swimming areas and rice farming
experience place).

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Current situation and future prospects of river restoration
Today, this area boasts 10,000 visitors daily who come to see its changes and experience a
refreshing green oasis within suffocating black smog and mob of the city. And various
cultural events are held in waterfront such as film festivals and musical concerts.
The BOD of the Yang jae cheon reached 2mg/l. This is an environmentally friendly area thatis home to 36 different kinds of birds and about 22 types of fish and marine life.
Gangnam-gu (District) office offered a new method of purification to improve riverenvironments.

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network

Korea River Restoration Network45

(3) Case studies of river restoration in Japan

Sumida River
After the 17th century, town development in Edo was started by the Tokugawa Shogun ate. At
the time, the Sumida River provided various types of entertainment, such as fireworks, cherry
blossom viewing and houseboat cruising, while it served as the main artery of materialtransportation. The river attracted many people, and an abundant culture flourished whichcentered on the river.
Since the late 19th century, a number of factories and warehouses were constructed along
the Sumida River because of convenient transportation by water and the population increased,
which resulted in an accelerated decline in water
quality. In particular, during the period of rapid
economic growth in the 1950s-1960s, when BOD(biochemical oxygen demand) reached 40 mg/L,
the environmental degradation in the river reached
its peak. River water became dark and muddy, andthe surrounding area suffered an offensive odor
coming from the river. In the Sumida River, thefirework festival to mark the river’s opening
continued to be held even after the Meiji Period,
Bureau of Construction, Tokyo Metropolitan Governmentand boat races had been held since 1905, which
attracted many visitors, but these were called off in 1962 due to the effects of water quality
pollution.
On the other hand, because of floods which
frequently struck the downtown Tokyo area,
including the Great Flood in 1910, and groundsinkage which was accelerated by the overuse ofgroundwater, flood control measures havebecome increasingly important to protect thecapital city Tokyo from floods and storm surge.
To that end, the construction of storm surge
levees was started in 1957 and almost
Bureau of Construction, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
completed in 1975. Completed vertical-wall-type
storm surge levees reaching a height of 3-4 meters, which were called “kamisori (razor) levees”,
separated the waterfront from urban areas along the river. As a result, the waterfront landscapethat had long been loved by citizens and the bustle of people disappeared.
Since the 1960s, the development of sewer systems in the river basin area moved ahead ata fast pace, and the sewer system coverage finally reached 100% in 2010, a huge increase fromjust 10% in 1961. In addition, various efforts for water quality improvement have been made,including sludge dredging, tightening of regulations on industrial effluent, and induction of
purification water from the Tone River. For the purpose of reinforcing the storm surge levees
which were urgently constructed and improving their earthquake resistance as well as restoringwater amenities, the construction of moderate-slope-type levees was begun in FY1980, and theconstruction of super levees was begun in FY1985. Especially in the area where super levees
were constructed, a higher quality waterfront space was created by carrying out construction
work in line with redevelopment of urban areas near the river and river facilities such as a park.
Along with these projects, the construction of a terrace at the water's edge (footpath) andgreening of revetments have been promoted.

46

５．Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration

Bureau of Construction, Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Waterfront space as a recreation place for people

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Biotope created on the terrace

BOD in the Sumida River decreased to 7.4 mg/L in 1978, falling below the level ofenvironmental standards at that time, and it has been stably maintained at the level ofenvironmental standards since then. The water quality of the Sumida River has been improved
significantly, and there are indications that populations of fish, waterfowl and aquatic organisms
on the river banks are recovering.
Offensive odors have disappeared, a water amenity space with a terrace on the water's edge
has been created, and now many people gather again at the waterfront of the Sumida River. The
fireworks festival and boat races were revived in 1978, and the number of cruises bysightseeing boat has increased. The river has become popular among tourists inside andoutside Tokyo.
Tokyo Prefecture drew up an “Overall Plan for Improving Attraction of Waterfront Space inTokyo” in 2006, and advocated emphasizing “restoration of the beautiful city of Tokyo
surrounded by water and green corridors” in “Tokyo’s Big Change--the 10-year Plan”, which was
drawn up in the same year. Thus, Tokyo will make further efforts to improve waterfront space
including the Sumida River as an important pillar of urban design strategies.

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Festive atmosphere during cherry blossom
viewing season

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Boat race47

Izumi River
The Izumi River is a small river flowing throughlowlands at the bottom of the valley in the middleof plateaus in the west of Yokohama City, and takes
its water from spring water of the Yato cliff line.
Farmland and slope woods remained at theriverside of the middle and lower stream, while theriverside area had been rapidly urbanized because
the area was near the center of Yokohama City. As
a result, the river easily flooded even with small
rainfall in the 1970s. To respond to this,Yokohama City
steel-sheet-pile revetments were constructed andthe riverbed was deeply excavated, which madeArea along the Izumi River
where woods and green spaces
the river inaccessible. It was really a sewage canal
are left in the urban district
due to the serious deterioration of water quality.
Since 1987, Yokohama City drew up a plan to utilize the land abutting the river and improve
the river, in line with other projects for developing parks and conserving green space, while
holding workshops for elementary school children living in the river basin. Then, the plan was
actually begun after being designated as the Hometown River Improvement Project in 1989,
and various waterfront bases were established, including the “Waterfront of Jizohara”,“Waterfront of Higashiyama”, “Waterfront of Sekigahara” and “Waterfront of Futatsubashi”. For
example, at the “Waterfront of Higashiyama”, the river width was increased, and the shapes offlow channels and river banks were arranged to suit surrounding geographical features. The
slope woods on the left bank of the river were also improved along with the development of river
space. As a result, a greenery space that could attract citizens was created.

Shinichi Yoshimura

Waterfront of Higashiyama before improvement

48

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

５．Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration

In the improved waterfront space, children enjoy
playing in the water and catching crawfish, and many
Waterfront of Higashiyama
people enjoy strolling along the river. It has become aafter improvement
space loved by citizens, and attracts a lot of visitors. At
present, there are eight waterfront associations in the
Izumi River basin, which take the lead in periodic rivercleaning activities voluntarily carried out by local
residents. Through those activities, people can feel close
to the river, and an increasing number of people are
CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.
becoming more interested in rivers. Thus, the waterfront
space has become deeply entrenched in the community.
Present waterfront of Higashiyama
With the increase in sewer system coverage, the water
quality of the Izumi River has improved, maintaining
a BOD of 5 mg/L or less since 1996, when it had
decreased from 10 mg/L or more by 1993. Thanks tosuch water quality improvement and river
improvement work, as regards the habitats of livingorganisms, there has been an increase in their
populations. At present, Yokohama City is taking
various measures based on the “Action Plan for Izumi
River Basin Water Circulation Restoration” drawn up
in 2002 with the aim of restoring the water
CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.
quantity/quality and clear spring water of the 1950s.
Present waterfront of Higashiyama

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Present waterfront of Higashiyama

49

Kushiro River
In the downstream area of the Kushiro
River, there is about 180 km2 of an expansive
wetland. This, Japan’s largest wetland, is the
habitat of precious animals and plants, and is
the first of Japan’s wetlands to be designatedas a wetland of international importance under
Kushiro Development and Construction Department,
the Ramsar Convention in 1980. The great
Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, MLIT
flood of 1920 served as a trigger for a
Kushiro Wetland
fully-fledged flood control project for theKushiro River, which started with river improvement by straightening streams meandering
through Kushiro Moor. Also in the basin area, development had been promoted. As a result, partof the wetland was turned into farmland and urban districts, and the surrounding area wasdeforested.
Such river improvement and changes in land use increased sediment inflow into the wetland
and decreased flood frequency, which resulted in about 20% decrease of wetland area over 50
years from 1947 to 2004. This caused deterioration in wetland landscape and scenery, andmade a serious impact on wetland ecosystems, including a decrease in the population of rarewild species and deterioration in the habitat of Japanese red-crowned cranes.

Alnus japonica

21.0km2

81.4km2

Phragmites australis

224.8km2

94.3km2

Wetland area

245.7km2

175.7km2

Changes in area of Kushiro Wetland (1947-2004)
Source : Kushiro Development and Construction Department, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism set up a “Review Committee onRiver Environment Conservation in Kushiro Wetland” in 1999, and started efforts for riverenvironment conservation and management in Kushiro Wetland. After the "Act on the
Promotion of Nature Restoration", the “Kushiro Wetland Nature Restoration Association” wasset up in 2003 in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism,
the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, local
residents, NPOs, local authorities, and academic experts, and then a nature restoration projectfor Kushiro Wetland was launched in earnest. With the aim of restoring the “wetland
environment before designation under the Ramsar Convention”, this nature restoration project
promotes consideration and implementation of a wide range of efforts to be made in the wholebasin, including prevention of sediment inflow into the wetland, restoration of meandering
streams, restoration of wetland, and tree-planting on bare ground and degraded land.

50

５．Measures taken to achieve river environment restoration
The nature restoration project for Kushiro Wetland
aims for “recovery of wetland ecosystems in quality
and quantity”, “restoration of circulation thatmaintains wetland ecosystems”, and “creation of asociety that can achieve a sustainable relationshipwith the wetland”. The members of the Nature
Restoration Association are promoting the projectbased on the division of roles. The progress of these
efforts has been checked every five years, and thedetails have been reviewed every 10 years. In
meandering streams restored in Kayanuma district,the presence of aquatic organisms has been
confirmed, and some people enjoy fishing. It is
expected that the goal of restoring the wetland
landscape and ecosystems that had been in the past,
will now be achieved.
The Kushiro River and Kushiro Wetland are known
as a nesting place of Japanese red-crowned cranes,
one of Japan's special natural treasures, as well as
one of Japan’s famous sightseeing spots which
attracts many tourists who look forward to canoeing
and nature watching. Efforts for nature restoration in
Kushiro Wetland are regarded as a pioneering
example in Japan, and it is expected that they will befurther promoted toward the achievement of goals.

Kushiro Development and Construction Department,
Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

Kushiro Development and Construction Department,
Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

Restoration of meandering streams
in Kayanuma district

Kushiro Development and Construction Department,
Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

Special national treasure, the JapaneseKushiro Development and Construction Department,
Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

Canoeing

red-crowned crane

51Appendix 1 Countermeasure Chart for River Restoration (draft)
This countermeasure chart (draft) introduces concrete technics/policies to achieve theChapter 4 "Implementation approaches for river environment restoration". We continue torevise this chart to complete the technical guideline for river restoration through discussions by
ARRN members.
Countermeasure Chart (1/2)
4.(2)Survey and research to clarify the nature of rivers
Phase 0 :Collection of basic information for understanding basins and rivers
Principle/Concept
Studies and researches to obtain new knowledge
Phase 1 :Collection and classification of basic information (channel shapes, growth and habitation of living
Basic Approachthings, hydrologic data, water level, and water quality, etc.)
Survey on the nature and social properties around the basin (Grasp of unique properties according tonature and climate, living environment, industrial economy, social culture, etc.)
Hydrologic survey (rainfall, water level, flow volume, flow velocity etc.), Water quality survey(physical / chemical water quality, biological water quality)
Survey on waterfront utility, facilities, river landscape etc.
Grasp of the ecosystem in river zones (physical characteristics of ecosystem dynamics,
characteristics of vegetation, and characteristics of animal community, etc. in river zones)
Grasp of the condition of water cycle system (basic survey / method for learning the past / present/ future condition of water cycle system, etc.)
Survey on sewage treatment (sewage treatment, wastewater treatment, etc.)
Characteristic survey on hydraulics and water quality in lakes and dam reservoirs (present state ofeutrophication and accompanying changes in biota / ecosystem, etc.)
Quantitative measurement by water pollution analysis etc. and forecast (elucidation and grasp ofphenomena concerning water quality, establishment of water quality analytical models, etc. )Collection of related guideline and toolboxes on river restoration
Phase 2 :Promotion of research and survey for obtaining new findings (setting of water quality items,
Advancedelucidation of water pollution phenomena, development of prediction / evaluation techniques, study
Approachon river ecology etc.)
Implementation of pilot projects for deeper understanding and recognition (setting of model rivers
etc., implementation of pilot projects)
4.(3)Creating awareness among residents in the basin
Phase 0 :Environmental education and capacity building
Principle/Concept
Information-sharing
Phase 1 :Establishment of an information sharing system
Basic Approach
Public announcement and publicity activities for the effect of the project (information provision tomass media etc.)
Public relations and awareness raise on river restoration (brochure, newsletter, books etc.)
Information dispatch (river condition, water quality, water level safe information etc.)
Environment education
Phase 2 :Program development of environment education and personnel training
Advanced
Establishment and publication of database on rivers, establishment of support center
Approach
4.(4)Building consensus for sustainable activities
Phase 0 :Building consensus and legal/institutional scheme
Principle/Concept
Co-ordination with stakeholders (cooperation and adjustment with various plans)
Phase 1 :Local commitment (basic policy, cooperation between promoting bodies, promotion system,
Basic Approachassessment)
Application of PDCA cycle
Installation or reconstruction of legal and institutional framework
Economic evaluation of environmental volume (CVM etc. )Training of facilitator for helping consensus formation
Others (installation of public-involvement system, town meeting)Phase 2 :Establishment of co-research/technological development organization by public sector and private
AdvancedsectorApproachcombination
Installation of basin management system (IWRM etc.)

Contents included in this reference guideline ver.2

52

Countermeasure Chart (2/2)
4.(5)Securing healthy water quality and quantity
Approaches toward Water quality improvement
Phase 0 :Principle/Concept Approach to improving quantity of flow
Setting of environmental standards for water quality (health items, living environment items, etc.)
Phase 1 :Setting of consolidation object of water quality (appropriate goals according to the purpose of water use, causes
Planning/Design

Phase 2 :Construction/
Maintenanceof contamination, etc.)
Legislation concerning wastewater control (factory Law, agricultural chemicals regulation law, water pollution
control law, environmental pollution prevention act, etc.)
Comprehensive measures concerning water pollution (water quality conservation measures, lake water quality
conservation measures, groundwater contamination measures, drinking water source measures, etc.)
Formulation of sewerage plan, improvement plan / design for treatment facilities etc. (sewage treatment, sludge
disposal, rainwater drainage plan, facility plan, water treatment facility, sludge treatment facility, etc.)
Setting of required flow quantity (environmental flow etc.)
Consideration of the effect of measures, grasp of project cost (calculation of construction cost and maintenanceexpenses, etc.)
Project implementation according to priority (determination the urgency of project and implementation of the
project according to the urgency, etc.)
Adaptive / step-by-step implementation of project (adaptive management that performs a project step by stepwith feedback to the plan according to situations)
Direct purification technology for rivers, lakes, etc., execution method thereof, and device considered for the site
(gravel purifying method, vegetation purifying method, etc.)
Construction method for sewerage treatment facilities etc. and device considered for the site (construction of
piping facilities, pumping station facilities, water treatment facilities, sludge treatment facilities, etc.)
Construction method considering the surrounding environment and device considered for the site (construction
with less impact on the surrounding environment)
Implementation of continuous monitoring (water quality control [rivers, sewage facilities, etc.], arrangement of
the river water automatic monitoring system, etc.)
Implementation of follow-up and assessment (environmental standards achievement ratios and proper
assessment of the effect of policies)
Improvement of the river register and implementation of facility maintenance (register improvement, facility
maintenance, etc.)
Improvement of the sewage register and implementation of facility maintenance (register improvement, facility
maintenance, etc.)
Formulation of monitoring method and implementation of monitoring (implementation method, systemestablishment, etc. for monitoring pollutant sources)

4.(6)Creating a lively waterfront and water amenity space
Creating a waterfront unified in the region
Phase 0 :Principle/Concept Water amenity activities to rediscover the attraction of the waterfront
Formulation of water affinity improvement plans (development of water amenity facilities such as water park,
Phase 1 :amenity-oriented revetment, policy to use for recreation)
Planning/Design

Phase 2 :Construction/
Maintenance

Formulation of river landscape plans (development of good riverscape)
Formulation of policy to utilize the environment, disaster prevention, and space functions provided by rivers.
Formulation of a comprehensive improvement policy for town planning with river utilization (urban restructuringwith river utilization)
Planning recreation activities related to history and culture
Plan harmonizing flood control plan with environmental measures (environmental measures in consideration offlood control plan)
Consideration of the effect of measures, grasp of project cost (calculation of construction cost and maintenanceexpenses, etc.)
Project implementation according to priority (determination the urgency of project and implementation of the
project according to the urgency, etc.)
Adaptive / step-by-step implementation of project (adaptive management that performs a project step by stepwith feedback to the plan according to situations)Technology for enhancing river affinity, execution method thereof, and device considered for the site (amenity
oriented revetment, water park, green way, biotope, etc.)
Construction method considering the surrounding environment and device considered for the site (construction
with less impact on the surrounding environment)
Implementation of continuous monitoring (monitoring for conservation of river landscape etc.)
Implementation of follow-up and assessment (impact evaluation and minimization of harmful impact)
Setting and implementation of maintenance (formulation of a maintenance plan etc.)

4.(7) Restoration of nature to regain the natural environment of the river
Securing the continuity of the river
Phase 0 :Principle/Concept Conserving a diversified ecosystem by using the regenerative ability of nature
Setting of the environment to be preserved and measures (growth areas (riffles and pools / revetment), spawning
Phase 1 :ground, fish pass)
Planning/Design

Phase 2 :Construction/
Maintenance

Formulation of a nature-friendly river work project (measures for canceling problematic river works, andmeasures for raising the entire level of river works)
Formulation of a nature restoration project plan (goal setting, draft plan formulation / forecast, analysis, etc.)
Formulation of measures against alien species (measures / control on influence by invasive species)
Formulation of a water cycle plan (planning for the entire basin from the upper to down streams taken inconsideration of the dynamic property of flow regime, comprehensive sediment control)
Plan harmonizing flood control plan with environmental policy (particularly, urban river improvement plan,maintenance of flood control function, conservation of biodiversity, etc.)
Consideration of the effect of measures, grasp of project cost (calculation of construction cost and maintenanceexpenses, etc.)
Project implementation according to priority (determination the urgency of project and implementation of the
project according to the urgency, etc.)
Adaptive / step-by-step implementation of project (adaptive management that performs a project step by stepwith feedback to the plan according to situations)
Engineering method, construction method, and device considered for the site in nature restoration projects(phased implementation / management, consideration for elements that influence rivers and the structure of theirsurrounding space, securing of continuity with branch rivers and flood areas through correction of level differencein water surface, etc.)
Construction method considering the surrounding environment and device considered for the site (construction
with less impact on the surrounding environment)
Implementation of continuous monitoring (monitoring for conservation concerning ecosystem, water cycle, etc.)
Implementation of follow-up and assessment (impact evaluation and minimization of harmful impact)
Setting and implementation of maintenance (formulation of maintenance plan and basin-based management,
measures and management focused on ecosystem and natural resources, etc.)

Contents included in this reference guideline ver.2

53

Appendix 2
List of resources for river restoration (Only web site in English)

Basic information

No.

Title of Web site

Country

European Environment Agency(EEA)

http://www.eea.europa.eu/dataand-maps○

The River Restoration Centre(RRC)
The River Restoration Centre(RRC)
The River Restoration Centre(RRC)
The River Restoration Centre(RRC)

http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_cas
e_studies.php
http://www.therrc.co.uk/lrap.php
http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_con
ferences.php
http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_ma
nual_pdf.php○

Britain

The River Restoration Centre(RRC)

http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_refe
rences.php

USA

USA Environment Protection
Agencyhttp://www.epa.gov/owow/wetla
nds/restore/
http://www.americanrivers.org/o
ur-work/restoring-rivers/
http://www.americanrivers.org/li
brary/reports-publications/
http://www.joewheaton.org/rive
r-links/restoration-management1
http://www.joewheaton.org/rive
r-links/river-restoration-and-inte
grated-river-basin-management
http://water.usgs.gov/wid/indexenviron.html
http://nc.water.usgs.gov/projects/
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/pfw/r6pfw2h.htm
http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/streampub.html
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Techn
ical/stream_restoration/
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/
http://australianriverrestorationc
entre.com.au/resources/
http://www.wsl.ch/land/products/rhone-thur/en/publications.php

Europe2

Projects river restoration

Europe3

ECRR past activities

Europe4

Search for Life Projects

Europe5

Sharing European
environmental datasets,
maps, charts andapplications.

Europe6

Map of River Projects

Britain7

London Rivers Action Plan

Britain

8

RRC Conferences

Britain

10

11

Britain

12

Restoring Rivers

USA

American Rivers

13

American Rivers Publications
and Reports

USA

American Rivers

14

Restoration & Management

USA

JOSEPH M.WHEATONUSAJOSEPH M.WHEATONUSA

US Geological Survey （USGS）
US Geological Survey （USGS）

15
16

River Restoration andIntegrated River BasinManagement
USGS Fact Sheets (listed byEnvironmental Theme)

17

Projects in North Carolina

USA

18

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

USA

19

Stream Survey Publications

USA

20

Stream Corridor Restoration

USA

21

Maryland Streams

Australia

22

ARRC Publications

Australia

23

Sustainable managementof running waters

Switzerland24

Nature conservation in the
Netherlands

Netherlands

25

List of projects with thechosen topic: Water

Denmark

26

CIRF Projects

Italy

27

IWHR Publications

China

28

World's WATERFRONT:
JAPAN

Japan

54

○

http://www.ecrr.org/ecrr-literatu
re-river-restoration.html
http://www.ecrr.org/projects-riv
er-restoration.html
http://www.ecrr.org/ecrr-procee
dings.html
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm

Literature river restoration

Manual of River Restoration
Techniques
References(Manuals, References ofGeneral Interest, andScientific Publications)River Corridor and Wetland
Restoration

URL

European Centre for River
Restoration (ECRR)
European Centre for River
Restoration (ECRR)
European Centre for River
Restoration (ECRR)
Financial Instrument for theEnvironment of EU (LIFE)

19Organization

Feature of informationCase
technical
projects
guideline

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(U.S. FWS)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(U.S. FWS)
Stream Corridor Restoration
Maryland Department of Natural
Resources
Australian Rivers Restoration
Centre
WSL, Eawag,
Netherlands Ministry ofAgriculture, NatureManagement & Food Quality（NMV)
Danish National Environmental
Research Institute, part of theuniversity of Aarhus (NERI)
Centro Italiano per la
Riqualificazione Fluviale （CIRF）
China
Instituteof
Water
ResourcesandHydropower
Research (IWHR)
Japan River Restoration Network(JRRN)

○
○
○

○
○
○
○
○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○

○
○

○

○

○

○

○

○
○
○

http://www.minlnv.nl/portal/pag
e?_pageid=116,1640354&_dad=
portal&_schema=PORTAL○

http://www.dmu.dk/International/Water/Projects/○

http://www.cirf.org/php/inglese/
home.htm○○

http://www.iwhr.com/zswwenglis
h/index.htm
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/waterside/domestic/index.html○

Epilog- For promotion of further river environment restoration in Asia
We issued this guideline in the hope that it will contribute to motivating a new movement tolook at issues related to nearby rivers and watershed areas and restore them to be in healthy
condition.
This guideline introduces the basic idea of river restoration in plain words as a primer to the"river restoration technical guideline in Asia" which the ARRN aims to establish, but it does notcover all the necessary points in considering river environment restoration issues.
We will complete the practical technical guideline for river restoration through discussions by
ARRN members, which can satisfy citizens tackling river environment improvement, engineers
working for government or companies, and researchers supporting them academically.
The ARRN will make continuous efforts not only to publish the guideline but also to provide
opportunities to share useful information and exchange people related to river restoration. For
this purpose, your continued support and cooperation would be appreciated. The outline of the
ARRN is available at the following website, and if you send your comments about this guidelineto the ARRN secretariat at the following e-mail address, it would also be appreciated.

55

About ARRN
Background of ARRN Establishment
In the “River Restoration in Asian Monsoon Region” session cosponsored by three countries of China,
Korea, and Japan that was held in the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City in March 2006, the necessityof cooperation among Asian countries was emphasized, and it was recommended that a network and a
database should be established to exchange information on river/watershed restoration, and that atechnical guideline specifically suitable for the Asian monsoon region should be developed. As a responseto this recommendation, the “3rd International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration“ was heldin Tokyo in November 2006, and “Asian River Restoration Network (ARRN) “ was formally established byconcerned organizations of China, Korea and Japan.

Objectives
ARRN aims to contribute to the creation of rich Asian water environment for the following two purposes asa non political organization.
To establish a mechanism to exchange and share case studies, information, technologies, andexperiences related to river/waterfront restoration in the world and in the Asian countries, withengineers, researchers, ecologists, government officials and citizens through events and websites.
To establish a river/watershed restoration guideline that can be utilized in the Asian monsoon area withsimilar social and natural environment, and improve knowledge and skills of network participants.

Activities
ARRN carries out following activities to achieve the above-mentioned objectives.
Activities involving exchanging and sharing information through newsletters to be distributed on the
web-site and by e-mailTo hold workshops and forums with a view to provide a platform to introduce or compile information on
the latest global waterfront situation and case studies of improved waterfront environment
To draw up or revise guidelines for the restoration of rivers and watersheds
To conduct joint studies to be undertaken by participating countries to support the provision of
information for study purposes
To exchange lecturers from participating countries
To translate and publish books on the restoration of rivers and watershed

ARRN’s establishment ceremony (Nov. 2006)

56

Outline of ARRN network activities

List of photo and figure suppliers
Water Quality Engineering laboratory, Tohoku University
Kushiro Development and Construction Department, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Chikuma River Office, Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Yamato River and National Highway Office, Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Toyooka River and National Highway Office, Kinki Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Miharu Dam Management Office
Bureau of Environment, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Bureau of Construction, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Shimane Prefecture
Toyooka city
Yokohama city
Aqua Restoration Research Center, Public Works Research InstituteJapan National Tourist Organization (JNTO)
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration
CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.
Docon Co., Ltd.
SUGANO Printing Co., Ltd.
NPO Azame GroupNPO Groundwork Mishima
Jianhua LI
Kazuya Egami
Rino Sugahara
Yoichiro Fukutomi
Takahiro Sakamoto
Yuj Miura
Shinichi Yoshimura
Beijing Institute of Water
China River Restoration Network
Korea River Restoration Network

ver.2

Reference Guideline for Restoration by
Eco-Compatible Approach in River Basin of Asia
March, 2012
<Publishing>

Asian River Restoration Network
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration (RFC)
17-24, Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN, 102-0082
TEL: +81-3-6228-3860 FAX: +81-3-3523-0640
E-mail: secre@a-rr.net
Website: http://www.a-rr.net/<Supervisor>
ARRN Technical Committee

JRRN: Prof. Naoki Shirakawa (Tsukuba Univ.)
CRRN: Prof. Hao Wang & Prof. Kewang Tang (IWHR)KRRN: Prof. Hyun-Han Kwon (Chonbuk National Univ.), Moonhyeong Park (KICT)<Writing>
Japan River Restoration Network (JRRN)
China River Restoration Network (CRRN)
Korea River Restoration Network (KRRN)<Editing >Japan River Restoration Network

secretariat

Junzo Sago, Masafumi Ito, Katsuhiro Goto, Sayumi Numata
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration (RFC)
Tatsushi Kimura, Akira Wada,CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Japan River Restoration Network (JRRN) has a role of ARRN secretariat from Nov. 2006 to Oct. 2012.
Secretariat of ARRN and JRRN is operated by Foundation for Riverfront Improvement andRestoration and CTI Engineering Co., Ltd. as joint study on development of Asian River Restoration
network.
57

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