ver.1

Reference Guideline
for Restoration
by Eco-Compatible
Approach in River Basin

Asian River Restoration Networkver.1

Reference Guideline for Restoration
by Eco-Compatible Approach in River Basin
Chapter 1. Introduction(1) Why restore the river environment？

1(2) Aim and purpose of the guideline2(3) Target audience2(4) Overview of guideline

3

Chapter 2. Important viewpoints in understanding the nature of rivers(1) Being familiar with the natural, historical and cultural transition of rivers

4(2) Perceiving the river as a basin

5(3) Understanding dynamism of rivers

6(4) Grasping the role of rivers and stakeholders

7

Chapter 3. Basic items to remember in restoring river environment(1) Setting multi-objectives of river restoration by considering river history and culture

8(2) Planning river restoration from the viewpoint of the basin

9(3) Considering river restoration based on dynamism of rivers

10(4) Proceeding with river restoration in cooperation with stakeholders

11(5) Considering a combination of river conservation and restoration

12

Chapter 4. Implementation approaches for river environment restoration(1) Outline of approaches for river environment restoration

13(2) Survey and research to clarify the nature of rivers

14(3) Creating awareness among residents in the basin

16(4) Building consensus for sustainable activities

18(5) Securing healthy water quality and quantity

19(6) Creating a lively waterfront and water amenity space

21(7) Restoration of nature and eco-compatible river

Appendix Countermeasure Chart for River Restoration (draft)23

1

Introduction(1) Why restore the river environment?
Civilizations have been developed along rivers since early times, and this is true even today. Rivers confer
benefits on human beings in various forms. Namely, rivers not only contribute to our socioeconomic activities
but they also exist as a critical component in creating landscape, nature, and culture. At the same time, rivers
provide valuable spaces for nurturing various forms of life.
As there is the proverb that "the man who governs the river governs the country," we, human beings, haveobtained water and food from rivers while controlling streamflows to protect our life from floods. We havealso actively used rivers to secure water for production and for drinking as well as transportation by ship andenergy utilization.
As a result, the natural river environment and landscape have been greatly damaged in return. People haveforgotten the true nature of rivers, feeling less attachment to them, and our economic benefit from rivers may
be lost in the future. They say that the world's four greatest civilizations flourishing along rivers were destroyed by deforestation and loss and destruction of nature caused by limitless human activities.
In modern society, too, nature is destroyed by industrial growth and land development. If the anthropogenic

chapter.1

impact on the natural environment increases, the diverseness of life will decrease as a result.

NPO Azame GroupChildren playing innocently in the river

1For example, we can obtain clean water just by turning on a faucet and we can keep the washroom clean by
washing it with water. However, we are less aware of where the tap water comes from and where the sewage
discharged from the kitchen or bathroom goes to. As symbolized by urbanization, the load of human activities
excessively impacts on the nature of the river basin and today, it is extremely important to improve the spacefor river, water quality, water amenities, and natural restoration to rehabilitate rivers and basins.
For this purpose, it is important to reduce the various burdens on rivers. However, such activities are limited. Consequently, we should draw out the regenerating power of the river provided by nature. We should
also think of a sustainable river restoration approaches. Moreover, those who are concerned should cooperatewith each other to cope with these problems for the benefit of the entire globe.
For the human race to survive for a long time on earth, our entire activities should be changed to be cyclicaland coexistent with nature as soon as possible to reduce the load on rivers. Rivers are just like the blood vessels of the human body, figuratively speaking. Blood vessels and blood are absolutely essential for maintenance of human life. The inherent power of the river is exactly the same for Earth. Therefore, aiming at"river restoration" to make use of the power inherent in rivers is an important viewpoint for us to live.

(2) Aim and purpose of the guideline
This guideline is to introduce principles and implementation approaches indispensable for restoring desirable
river environments in Asia, raise the interest of audience in a river nearby, create an opportunity toward newchapter.1

activities for river restoration, and also support current river restoration projects.

(3) Target audience
This guideline targets all people who want to bring rivers and waterfronts back into a healthy form and passon rich river environments to the following generations.

2(4) Overview of guideline
In the nature restoration session of the 4th World Water Forum (held in Mar. 2006 in Mexico), two proposals
were made in connection with establishing an Asian information network related to river restoration and the
preparation of an Asian river restoration guideline toward improvement of river restoration technology. In response to these proposals, the "Asian River Restoration Network (ARRN)" was established by Chinese, Korean
and Japanese agencies jointly concerned in November of the same year.
In the ARRN, preparation of a technical guideline for river restoration was positioned as one of the primaryobjectives of the network activities, and Chinese, Korean and Japanese specialists are working toward establishing the technical guideline that can contribute to creating healthy river environments in Asia through discussions.
In this guideline, basic ideas and implementation approaches for 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 "River restoration technical guideline" aimed at by the ARRN in the future.
ARRN members will continuously discuss establishment of a practical guideline for Asia targeting the individual technologies shown in Appendix of this guideline in the future.

Chap. 1 Why promote river restoration?

Chap. 2 Important viewpoints in understanding thenature of rivers

Chap. 3 Basic items to remember in restoring riverenvironment

Countermeasure for river environment restoration
Chap. 4 Implementation approaches for riverenvironment restoration

Referential information toward additional restoration activities
Appendix Countermeasure chart for riverrestoration (draft)Contents of this guideline
3

chapter.1

Basic points in considering river environment restoration

2

Important viewpoints inunderstanding the nature of rivers(1) Being familiar with the natural, historical and cultural transition of rivers
Since ancient times, rivers have brought great benefits to us such as water for drinking, food, amenity, andhealing. At the same time, rivers have sometimes caused damage through floods and droughts. The history of
the relationship between human beings and rivers is diverse, and rivers show how nature operates from past
to present as well as the consequences of human beings' activities regarding rivers over a period of time.
To consider the future of rivers, it is of utmost importance to understand their natural, historical and cultural transition. 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.

chapter.2

Hiraki Ukiyo-e Museum

Old lively Sumida River, Japan (around 1800)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Trash-filled Sumida River,Japan (around 1960)

Bureau of Construction, Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Sumida River with its life recovered, Japan (today)4(2) Perceiving the river as a basin
The water of a river we see circulates in a "basin." The river moves substances on Earth such as water,
sediment, nutrient salts, and living organisms. The characteristics of aspects of a river (flood, drought, water
quality, living organisms, landscape, nature, and culture) in addition to climate, size, shape, and land utilizationof the "basin" show that the state of the river results from and is affected by the way of living and the various
social activities of the people living there for a long time.
When considering river restoration, it is very important to grasp the condition of the river, not only by looking at the streamflow or inside the river surrounded by levees or revetments, but also by considering the riv-

chapter.2

er continuity including upstream/downstream and land area as a horizontal phase of a "basin.".

Shizuoka River Office, Chubu Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

Abe River basin seen from the air, Japan
Precipitation

Water storage
Evaporation

Natural recharge

RunoffWater use
Water Treatment

Considering the river as a basin

5

Water Resources in Japan 2004,
Water Resources Department,
Land and Water Bureau, MLIT

(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 even disrupted due to water shortage.
In the meantime, once a river is swollen, the streamflow will cut away the river bed and riverbanks and carryaway riverside living organisms. Sediment flowing from upstream heaps up, and the form of the river may
change. In this way, rivers change at various time points naturally or artificially to its present form. Humanbeings and organisms in a river adapt themselves to the nature of the river and how it operates in order tolive. When thinking of the river environment, it is important to understand the characteristics of the streamflow of the river.

chapter.2

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

Hokkaido Development Association

Toyohira River in its normal state, Japan

Toyohira River in a flood, Japan

Teshio River Basin Committee

Former meandering Teshio River, Japan.

6(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 and industry, using the water surface and the riverfront for transportation 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 disposeof 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 inaddition to the role of the river.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Tower for water intake

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Sightseeing boat

chapter.2

Weir for water intake

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Use of the water surface
for canoeing

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Playing in the river

Docon Co., Ltd.

Fishery work

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Water discharge to a riverin the rain

7

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Multipurpose use of riverterrace

Docon Co., Ltd.

Fish living in the river3

Basic items to remember in
restoring a river environment(1) Setting multi-objectives of river restoration by considering river history and culture
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 and the culture surrounding the river created in consequence.
Moreover, it is important to concretely clarify what is to be restored after understanding the natural environment as well as the social environment showing how people have dealt with the river.

Korea

China

Japan

Cheonggyecheon River

Zhuanhe River

Nihonbashi Riverchapter.3

Beijing Institute of Water

FRONT Oct 2006 (No. 217)

Crowd on the riverfront(around 1960)

Water edge, which was richin nature (age unknown)

4th International Forum on Waterfront andWatershed Restoration, ARRN

Beijing Institute of Water

River covered by an expressway(around 2000)

Mostly reclaimed water's edge
(age unknown)

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Restored river (today)

Restored water's edge
(today)8

National Diet Library

Crowd on the riverfront(Edo period)

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

River under an expressway(today)Association to recover the sky over Nihonbashi River

Image of blue sky recovered(future)(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 viewpoint of the wholebasin (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 living organisms upstream or downstream or horizontally to the land, as well as local people's activities centered around the river.

Forest conservation

Sediment control

Upstream of the river

Conservation of the organismgrowing environment
Conservation of
beautiful scenery

Securing the movement of organisms

Mid midstream and downstreamof the river

Securing continuity
in the water area

Securing comfortablewater amenities

Water quantity/quality control
in the whole river system

Conservation of natural spaces in town

Creating local history
and culture

Conservation of brackish
water environments

Improvement of the living environment

Estuary, coastal zone

River restoration from the viewpoint of the basin

Nurturing Nature and People … Exciting River Creation, Future River Environment, RFC

9chapter.3

Nutrient salts control in the whole river system

(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 streamflow and river course. If a river is rehabilitated in excess its force, on the other
hand, new problems may sometimes arise.

chapter.3

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

Trial to restore the meander by using the old river (Shibetsu River, Japan)

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Trial to restore a gravelly river-bed by using dynamism of streamflow (Kinu River, Japan)

10(4) Proceeding with river restoration in cooperation with stakeholders
To proceed with a river environment restoration project smoothly and continuously, it is important for the
local people related to the river (community residents, water users, fishermen, administrative agencies, etc.) tocooperate closely from the first stage of formulating a restoration plan and to find restoration approaches that

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Field study with the local residents and stakeholders

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Meeting with the local people concerned

11chapter.3

would be accepted in the surrounding region.

(5) Considering a combination of river conservation and restoration
To use a river as a place for our various activities while conserving its rich nature, it is important to consider a combination of river conservation and restoration suitable to each region.

chapter.3

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Studying a combination of river conservation and restoration using a model

Shinichi Yoshimura

Example of one riverside widened with the mountain side conserved (Yamaya River, Japan)

124Implementation approaches forriver environment restoration(1) Outline of approaches for river environment restoration
Approaches for river restoration differ depending on the current river condition and the future target rivercondition. The situation may also be different depending on what is to be restored in the particular river.
Therefore, it is important for stakeholders to clarify the target of restoration and decide the order of precedence of measures to be taken.
Natural figure

Connection withlocal community

5
4
3
2
1
0

Natural environment

Diverseorganisms

Human activities
Availability ofwater

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 guideline, a sequence of measures to restore a healthy river environment is introduced, starting withactivities that we can undertake. Cooperation with the administrative agency controlling the river is then described, which is indispensable for activities for the entire basins. Cooperation with specialists such as engineers and researchers is also described, which is necessary for solving high-level technological issues.
We hope that audience can find suitable approaches for river restoration in this chapter after taking into consideration the "Important viewpoints in understanding the nature of rivers", "Basic items to remember when
restoring the river environment", and "circumstances of each river" shown in the first half of this guideline.

【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】【Consensus building andorganizational cooperation】(3) Creating awareness among residents in the basin(4) Building consensus for sustainable activities

Technical and institutional solutions【Recovery of water quality and quantity】【Recovery of water amenities】(5) Securing healthy water quality
and quantity(6) Creating a lively waterfront
and water amenity space【Recovery of nature】(7) Restoration of natureand eco-compatible river

Flow of scheme in this chapter* (2) - (7) correspond to the paragraphs of this chapter.

13

chapter.4

Comfortablewaterfront

(2) Survey and research to clarify the nature of rivers（a）Collection of basic information for understanding basins and rivers
What we should do preferentially to restore the river environment is to research the actual condition of theriver including its social 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 natural environment surrounding the river such as the quantity of precipitation in the whole basin, subsequent change in flow volume and water level of the river, geomorphic character, 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.

chapter.4

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Water quality survey

Listening to the history of a river

オリジナルありません

Guide for River, Waterfront General Data
Preparation (draft), RFC

Example of a map showing organism study results (river environment information map)

14

（b）Studies and researches to obtain new knowledge
There are many items 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 to accumulate new scientific knowledge.

Aqua Restoration Research Center, PWRI

Aqua Restoration Research Center, PWRI

chapter.4

Experimental river provided for new researches and scene of survey

River Restoration Research Team ,PWRI

River Restoration Research Team ,PWRI

Behavior survey using a transmitter(upper right: Transmitter mounted, lower right: Transmitter)

15

River Restoration Research Team ,PWRI

(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 approaches we cantake on a regular basis, transmit such approaches throughout the region as part of environmental education,and preserve it through the generations.
To restore 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 healthy form of a once-contaminated river has been restored as a result of change in residents' use of daily water and increase in their concerns about the river.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

River Environment Research Laboratory, Akashi National College of Technology

Learning about the river from the headstream

Trying a simple water quality test

chapter.4
Yoichiro Fukutomi

Tsugayuki Community Center Children's Club

Learning about traditional river
construction methods

River cleaning activity

International
exchange
Overseascooperation

Regional
development

Child-raising
education

国際フォーラム
姉妹河川

CultureArt
History

地域イベントWelfare青少年活動

リバーガイド
川辺のコンサート

車いすウォーキング

精霊流し
健康づくり

水防訓練
防災訓練

Lifelong learning

川・水辺

用水保全

自然観察
Environment conservation
Environmental Education

Disasterprevention

ウォーキング
釣り・川遊びボート・カヌー
雨水利用
廃油石鹸

自然保護
川清掃

Beautificationand cleaning●Volunteer activities
for formation of civil
activities●Networking●Support of civil
activities

Housing

Recreation
Sport
Recycling

River Landscape Design
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Example of various civil activities related to rivers
16

（b）Information-sharing
It is important to provide local residents with various river-related information and share the current riverenvironment and activities toward river restoration among the local people concerned. Such an approach canstrengthen the sense of community among the residents in the watershed area and contribute to increasing thenumber of supporters of river restoration activities.
Outside the watershed area, too, there are organizations that act toward improving river environment 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

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Holding a council meeting

chapter.4

Holding a seminar

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Display of panels to describe rivers

Books, pamphlets, andmagazines on river restoration

Asian River Restoration Network

Approach to establishing an international network for sharing information on river restoration17

(4) Building consensus for sustainable activities
To continue the river restoration approaches, it is essential to establish a framework where local people related to the river act cooperatively by sharing economical and spiritual benefits and values brought by river restoration.
It is also necessary in some cases to lobby the administrative agencies concerned toward introduction of newlegal / institutional frameworks or easing of regulations to promote river restoration activities efficiently andsmoothly.
Local
residents

Specialists

Administrative
agencyconcerned

NPO, NGO

Local
municipal
entityLand
owner

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

chapter.4

Building consensus among stakeholders©Shimane Prefecture/©JNTO©JNTO

Restoration of freshwater clams, which
contribute to the regional economy and water
quality improvement (Lake Shinji, Japan)

Popular soup using local
freshwater clams

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

Toyooka City

Vitalization of the region by regeneratingstorks (Maruyama River, Japan)

Local special products associatedwith the name of stork18

(5) Securing healthy water quality and quantity（a）Approaches toward water quality improvement
Keeping river water in healthy condition is an important factor towards creating a much-loved river inthe region. To improve contaminated river water quality, there are two methods: one is to eliminate thesource of the contaminant such as household and industrial wastewater in the whole basin, and the other is
to directly remove contaminants that have already entered the river.

Bureau of Environment, Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Keihin River Office, Kanto Regional Development Bureau, MLIT

Tama River with water
quality recovered, Japan

chapter.4

Once-contaminated Tama River, JapanFoundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

River Restoration Research Team ,PWRI

Water quality improvement in thewhole basin by sewer system

Table

Water quality improvement by plants

Examples of measures effective for improving water quality

Measures for thewhole basin

Measures forthe river

Approaches to reducing household wastewater
Reduction of household load by basin residents / installation ofwastewater treatment tanks / construction of sewers
Approaches to reducing industrial wastewater discharged from factories
and farms
Wastewater regulations / reduction of wastewater load by each office /measures against agricultural wastewater
Other effective approaches
Forest maintenance / proper land utilization control and improvement ofrecharging function
Installation of purification equipment (by the catalytic oxidation method,vegetation purification method, aeration, etc.)
Removal of polluted mud by dredging channels
Reuse of discharging water highly-purified by sewer systems

19

（b）Approaches to improving quantity of flow
The quantity of flow required is different for each river. It is important not only to clarify the natural quantity of flow of the river but also to scientifically research the quantities of flow necessary for daily life, agricultural and industrial use, organisms living in the river, transportation by ship, and fishery, for which consensus of the local people should be obtained.
In addition, to secure a desirable quantity of flow, it should be adjusted among water users or by water utilization facilities artificially, or sewage-treated water should be reused.

©JNTO

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

chapter.4

Improvement of quantity of flowby releasing water at a dam

Babbling stream using treated water

Furu River

Meguro River

Nomi River

Ochiai sewage treatment plant

Water supply
pump station

Tokyo Metropolitan Sewerage Service Corporation

Example of reuse of sewage-treated water

Table

Example of measures for improving the quantity of flow
Flushing discharge from a dam

Measures for securing
new water sources

Use of sewage-treated water
Water transmission from other basins
Review and rationalization of each water right quantity (electricity

Measures forinside the basin

generation, industry, and agriculture)
Improvement of the recharging function of the basin (constructionof water-permeable paving and rainwater storage)20(6) Creating a lively waterfront and water amenity space（a）Creating a waterfront space unified in the region
An important river restoration measure is to create a lively waterfront space where local people and tourists
gather while respecting to the maximum the relationship between the natural environment of the river andsurrounding regions. In all places in Asia, various approaches to improving water amenities have been taken,
and by studying these approaches, we should identify and implement a method to improve the attractiveness of
the waterfront area suitable to the region.

BeforeAfter

Landscaping of Yangtze river waterfront (Wuhan, China)

chapter.4

2nd International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration, RFC

BeforeAfter

Landscaping of Love River waterfront (Kaoshiung, Chinese Taipei)
JRRN Workshop on Urban River Restoration, Love River in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei

BeforeAfterFoundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Landscaping of Dotonbori River waterfront (Osaka, Japan)

Waterfront space unified in the region
21

（b）Water amenity activities to rediscover the attraction of the waterfront
With many rivers, there is enjoyment unique to the river space such as traditional river-related events or recreation. It is an important method to promote river restoration to increase the opportunity of local resident
involvement for water amenity activities.
By raising the interest of local residents in the waterfront environment through such opportunities, synergistic effects of further improvement of the waterfront space and regional economic revitalization can be expected.

2nd JRRN Mini-Seminar on River Environment

2nd JRRN Mini-Seminar on River Environment

chapter.4

People enjoying the waterfront(Anyang River, Korea)

Cycling (Yangje River, Korea)©WakayamaPrefecture©JNTO

4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration, ARRN

Canoe

Water festival(Chao Pharaya River, Thailand)©Aichi Prefectural Tourist Association©

Kanazawa City©JNTO

Traditional festival

Floating lanterns

22

(7) Restoration of nature and eco-compatible river（a）Securing the continuity of the river
To restore the natural river environment, it is important to revive the continuity of flow from upstream todownstream as well as cross-sectional continuity between terrestrial and aquatic areas.
By providing dams and weirs with fishways and slit-type check dams to secure the continuity of the river inthe vertical and lateral directions, movement of not only organisms that comprise the nature of the river but
also sediment and nutrient salts that are the basis of the living environment of these organisms is enabled.
This will contribute to regenerating the original natural environment of the river.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Securing continuity fromupstream to downstream

Securing continuity between
the river and paddy fields

CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

Shinichi Yoshimura

Hydropower dam with wash-out gate

Slit dam

Before (2001)

After (2003)

Securing river continuity (Anyang River, Korea)
4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration, ARRN

23

chapter.4

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

（b）Conserving a diversified ecosystem by using the regenerative ability of nature
To regenerate the ecosystem inherent in a river, it is important to utilize the river's regenerative ability to the
maximum extent while taking the natural operation of the entire river into account. Identifying the characteristics and indexical organisms of the river ecosystem and creating an environment where the species can flourish
sustainably through cooperation of stakeholders also leads to restoration of a natural river environment.
For example, an effective method of restoring the nature of a river is to create an environment that protects
the species historically inherent in the region and remove alien species that are not originally living there.

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Regeneration of the gravel river bed inherent in Kinu River, Japan

chapter.4

Organisms unique to a gravel river bed

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Aster kantoensis

Eusphingonotus japonicus

Invasion of alien species

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Robinia pseudoacacia

Sicyos angulatus

24Appendix

Countermeasure Chart for River
Restoration (draft)

This countermeasure chart (draft) introduces concrete technics/policies to achieve the Chapter 4"Implementation approaches for river environment restoration". We continue to revise 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 :Principle/Concept

Collection of basic information for understanding basins and rivers
Studies and researches to obtain new knowledge
Collection and classification of basic information (channel shapes, growth and habitation of living things, hydrologic data, water level, and water quality, etc.)
Survey on the nature and social properties around the basin (Grasp of unique properties according to natureand 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.

Phase 1 :Basic Approach

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.)

Characteristic survey on hydraulics and water quality in lakes and dam reservoirs (present state of eutrophication and accompanying changes in biota / ecosystem, etc.)
Quantitative measurement by water pollution analysis etc. and forecast (elucidation and grasp of phenomena
concerning water quality, establishment of water quality analytical models, etc. )Collection of related guideline and toolboxes on river restoration

Phase 2 :Advanced Approach

Promotion of research and survey for obtaining new findings (setting of water quality items, elucidation ofwater pollution phenomena, development of prediction / evaluation techniques, study on 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 :Principle/Concept

Environmental education andcapacity building
Information-sharing
Establishment of an information sharing system

Phase 1 :Basic Approach

Public announcement and publicity activities for the effect of the project (information provision to mass 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 :Advanced Approach

Program development of environment education and personnel training
Establishment and publication of database on rivers, establishment of support center

4.(4)Building consensus for sustainable activities
Phase 0 :Principle/Concept

Building consensus and legal/institutional scheme
Co-ordination with stakeholders (cooperation and adjustment with various plans)
Local commitment (basic policy, cooperation between promoting bodies, promotion system, assessment)
Application of PDCA cycle

Phase 1 :Basic Approach

Installation or reconstruction of legal and institutional framework
Economic evaluation of environmental volue (CVM etc. )Training of facilitator for helping consensus formation
Others (installation of public-involvement system, town meeting)Phase 2 :Advanced Approach

Establishment of co-research/technological development organization by public sector and private sector
combination
Installation of basin management system (IWRM etc.)

Contents included in this reference guideline (ver.1)

25

appendix

Survey on sewage treatment (sewage treatment, wastewater treatment, etc.)

Countermeasure Chart (2/2)
4.(5)Securing healthy water quality and quantity
Phase 0 :Principle/Concept

Phase 1 :Planning/Design

Phase 2 :Construction/
MaintenanceApproaches toward Water quality improvement
Approach to improving quantity of flow
Setting of environmental standards for water quality (health items, living environment items, etc.)
Setting of consolidation object of water quality (appropriate goals according to the purpose of water use, causesof 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 thesite (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, system establishment, etc. for monitoring pollutant sources)

4.(6)Creating a lively waterfront and water amenity space
Phase 0 :Principle/Concept

appendix

Phase 1 :Planning/Design

Phase 2 :Construction/
Maintenance

Creating a waterfront unified in the region
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,
amenity-oriented revetment, policy to use for recreation)
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 restructuring with 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 (amenityoriented 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 and eco-compatible river
Phase 0 :Principle/Concept

Phase 1 :Planning/Design

Phase 2 :Construction/
Maintenance

Securing the continuity of the river
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 ground, fish pass)
Formulation of a nature-friendly river work project (measures for canceling problematic river works, and measures 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 in consideration 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
their surrounding space, securing of continuity with branch rivers and flood areas through correction of level
difference in 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.): Cover contents of this reference guideline (ver.1)

26

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 to look 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 not cover 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 toshare 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 guideline to the ARRN secretariat at the following e-mail address, itepilogwould also be appreciated.

Website http://www.a-rr.net/
E-mail secre@a-rr.net

27

List of photo suppliers
Ishikarigawa Development and Construction Department, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Rumoi Development and Construction Department, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Kushiro Development and Construction Department, Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Keihin River Office, Kanto Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Shizuoka River Office, Chubu 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
National Diet Library
Bureau of Environment, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Bureau of Construction, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Tokyo Metropolitan Sewerage Service Corporation
River Restoration Team, Public Works Research InstituteAqua Restoration Research Center, Public Works Research InstituteJapan National Tourist Organization (JNTO)
Association to recover the sky over Nihonbashi River
Hiraki Ukiyo-e Museum
Hokkaido Development Association
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration

Kazumasa Ito
Masafumi Ito
Katsuhiro Goto
Junzo Sago
Michiya Tannai
Akira WadaCTI Engineering Co., Ltd.
Docon Co., Ltd.

Katsuhiko Uonami
Susumu Domon

NPO Azame Group
Tsugayuki Community Center Children's ClubRiver Environment Research Laboratory, Akashi National College of Technology
NPO Gokase Nature School
Yosasa River Basin Cooperative Network
Yoichiro Fukutomi
Shinichi Yoshimura
Beijing Institute of Water

List of sources
Water Resources in Japan 2004, Water Resources Department, Land and Water Bureau,
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Water Resources in Japan 2008 - Shifting to comprehensive water resource management Water Resources Department, Land and Water Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Outline of Law for the Promotion of Nature Restoration, Natural Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
Nurturing Nature and People … Exciting River Creation, Future River Environment, Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration
Guide for River, Waterfront General Data Preparation (draft), Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration
River Landscape Design, Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration
FRONT Oct 2006 (No. 217)
Lecture material for "The 2nd International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration" held by Foundation for Riverfront Improvement
and Restoration
Lecture material for "The 4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration" held by ARRN
Lecture material for "Workshop on Urban River Restoration, Love River in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei" co-held by JRRN
Lecture material for "The 2nd JRRN Mini-Seminar on River Environment" held by JRRN

ver.1

Reference Guideline for Restoration by
Eco-Compatible Approach in River Basin
March, 2009
<Publishing>

Asian River Restoration Network
Technical Coordination & Cooperation Division
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration (RFC)
Ichbancho FS Bldg. 3rd Floor, 8 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo,
JAPAN, 102-0082
TEL: +81-3-3265-7121 FAX: +81-3-3265-7456
E-mail: secre@a-rr.net

Website: http://www.a-rr.net/<Supervisor>
ARRN Technical Committee<Editing and Writing>Junzo Sago, Kazumasa Ito, Michiya Tannai, Akira Wada,
Masafumi Ito
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration (RFC)<Editing and Writing Support>
Hitoshi Negishi, Naoki Hashido
CTI Engineering Co., Ltd.

<Printing>NishiPrint Co.,Ltd.

※This guideline was prepared by the furtherance of the River Fund operated by Foundation of River &Watershed Envirionment Management JAPAN.