Reeferencee Guuideline forRe
esto
oration byb Eco-CCom
mpatiibleA
Apprh in Rive
er BasinBn ver.1
oach
S
Separ
rate VolumVme

Asian River Resttoration Networkk

This separate volume was prepared as a supporting material of the “Reference Guideline for
Restoration by Eco-Compatible Approach in River Basin ver.1” published in March 2009.

“Reference Guideline for Restoration by Eco-Compatible Approach in River Basin ver.1”

Download URL:

http://www.a-rr.net/publication/reference_guideline/docs/ARRN_Guideline1_eng.pdf

Co
onten
nts
Th
he geogra
aphical fea
atures of ea
ach countrry and cha
anges in riv
ver environment imprrovement
Rivers inn China
Rivers inn KoreaRivers inn Japan

1
3
5

C
Case
studiees of river reestoration[In Chinna]Xinjiangtang strream
Zhuan
nhe River

7
9[In Koreaa]Chunnggye-Streaam
Osan Streamm
Yangjae Stream

11
13
15

[In Japan]
Sumidda RiverIzumi River
Kushirro River

17
19
21

[In Thaila
and]
Mae NamN
Phichiit (Phichit River)R

23[In The UK]
River Skerne

25[In The US]
Kissimmmee Riverr

27

A
About
ARRN
N

29

The geographical features of each country
andchanges in river environment improvement

Rivers in China
Survey of Rivers
In China, there are more than 50,000 rivers with a basin area of over 100 km2, about 1,500 of them with a basin
exceeding 1,000 km2. Rivers can be classified into two categories: those discharging into seas (outflowing rivers), andthe inland rivers which run to depressions in the interior.
The main river systems in China consist of seven major rivers: The Yangtze, Yellow, Songhua, Pearl, Liaohe, Haihe
and Huaihe rivers.

Table1

Date of Seven Major Rivers in Chana

River

River Length (Km)Basin Area (103km2)

Average Annual Runoff (Km3)

Yangtze

6,300

1808.5975.7

Yellow

5,464

752.4

59.2

Songhua

2,308

557.2

74.2

Pearl

2,214

453.7

336.0

Liaohe

1,390

229.0

14.8

Haihe

1,090

263.6

22.8

Huaihe

1,000

269.3

61.1

1

The main institutions involved in water resourcesmanagement

the Ministry of Water Resources(MWR)

the Local Water Resources
Management Department

the Ministry of Geology andMineral Resources
the Ministry of Agriculture
the Ministry of Construction

Responsible for water resources survey and assessment, rural waterplanning and development, and management and protection of water
resources. The Ministry of Water Resources directly supervises theWater Resources and Hydroelectric Power Construction Corporation, andadministers 13 higher education institutions and 7 regional basin
commissions;
Responsible for water administration at provincial level. Each province
has a Water Resource Bureau responsible for planning, survey, design,
construction, operation and management of irrigation, drainage, flood
control works, and rural hydro-electricity. Water resources bureaus at
the prefecture and county levels are directly responsible for theconstruction and maintenance of main and secondary canals, associatedirrigation and flood control structures, and medium-sized reservoirs;
Cooperates with the MWR in the management of groundwater
resources;
Responsible for state agricultural water conservation, construction andmanagement;
Responsible for urban water conservancy including groundwater
exploitation and protection.

Recent river management in China


Chinese specialists have proposed to take account of ecological and environmental water demand in water
resources reallocation since 1980s~1990s to cope with the issues of river zero-flow and water pollution.



China's water law was enacted in 1988, and principles, general guidelines, and technical standards for water
resources management were established.

In the late 1990s, water sectors of China began to explore the measures to restore rapidly degraded river
ecosystems by means of emergency water diversion and achieved initiatory success.



On September 6 of 2004, Wang Shucheng, the then minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, brought
forward for the first time that river basin commission should become the prolocutor of rivers to maintain thehealthy life of rivers.



On August 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao subscribed the State Council Order (No. 559) of Provisions forEnvironmental Impact Assessment of New Projects, which demand that environment impact assessment should
be conducted on relevant planning of land utilization and exploitation planning of regions, watersheds and sea
areas.

2

Riverrs in
i Kor
K rea
Ge
eographical CharracterristicssM
Mostof riverrs in Korea flow into th
he Yellow Sea and South Sea becaause the east side, whe
ere the Taebaek
Mou
untains is, is higher than the west sidde.
Th
he Han Riverr has the largest basin area and annual discharge in Korea butb the longeest one is thee Nakdong River.
RAmo
ong the ten majormrivers in Korea, thee Seomjin Rivver has the highesthpreciipitation per unit area in the basin.
M
Majorcharactteristics of th
he rivers in Korea
K
are as follows. Firsstly, the length of the riveers is relative
ely short and
d the
chan
nnel slopes area steep. Seecondly, floooding occurs quickly and peak flood dischargedis large. Finallyy, flow variattions
are large.

Riiver Admini
A
istratoor
The rivers in Korrea are divideed into Classs A and B deffined by
the River Act andd others deffined by small stream reggulation Act.

<River Classiification inn Korea>
CllassA
B
OthersNo. of RiverN(Length, km)
61(2,978.79)
3,771((26,830.50)
NotcountedAdministtrator
Minisstry of Land, Transport annd
M
Maritime
Affaairs (MLTM)
Local Goveernment
Ministtry of Public Administrationand Security(MPAS)

3

Transition of River Management in Korea

4

Rivers in Japan
Geographical Characteristics
About 70% of Japan is mountains, so rivers are short and steep and flow rapidly and violently. Moreover, Japan has
twice precipitation as much as that of world average.
Rhine River

Elevation
(m)
1000
800

Rivers in Japan

Loire River

Johganji River
Abe RiverColorado River

Shinano River

600
Chikugo River
400

YoshinoRiver

200

Tone River

Seine River

Kitakami River
Mekong River

River mouth

200

400

600

800

1000

Distance fromriver mouth(Km)Comparison of longitudinal slope of rivers in Japan and main rivers in overseas

Comparison of precipitation of large cities

Most of Japanese cities are susceptible to floods
because they lie in lowland which are below
flood water level of rivers.

River Administrator
In Japan, 109 river systems that are especially important in terms of national land conservation and the nation’s
economy are defined as Class A water systems, and they are managed mainly by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism (partly by prefectures). Furthermore, other river systems that play an important role in the
public interest are called Class B river systems. Class B and other river systems except for Class A river systems aremanaged mainly by prefectures.

NumberRiver
Administrator

Class ARiver
System109

・MLIT
・Prefecture
goverment

Class BRiver
System2,713

・Prefecture
goverment

Other

Not
counted・Prefecture
goverment
・Cities ・towns
・ villages

Osaka

Tokyo

Class A River System

5Transition of River Management in Japan

6

Case Studies of River
Restoration

Xinjiangtang stream
Stream length: 32400m

Background of river restoration
Xinjiangtang stream 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 stream. Moreover, navigation in the stream gradually faded away in recent years.
Bank erosion in Xinjiangtang stream is mainly due to surface soil erosion caused by rain wash and slope
collapse caused by wave scour.
According to preliminary statistics, of the all river sludge, 60% comes from slope collapse, 30% is fromsurface 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 stream in Haining County ofZhejiang Province by supplying technical consultation to local water sector.
●

The planning and design of Xinjingtang stream follows the concept of design with nature to achieve themulti-purposes.
●

Present platform morphological patterns

are kept and only a few local modifications
are conducted to meet special requirements.
The natural meandering and width of theriver channel are maintained. Floodplain andriparian wetlands are rehabilitated. Natural
cross-section profile is preserved as much as
possible. Compound or trapezoid cross sectionis adopted only in particular conditions.

7Haining, CHINA
KEYWORDS
multi-natural river-making, river ecosystem, biodiversity●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 is about 10 to 20 years
with the only use of traditional river dredging. However, river dredging together with slope protection by useof ecological engineering 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 theriver training will embark on a more effective circle.

The present Xinjiangtang

8

The present Xinjiangtang

Zhuanhe River
Stream length: 3700m

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 was covered up from 1975 to 1982, andthe 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 training of urban lake and river in many aspects
including flood prevention, water quality improvement, ecology conservation and restoration as well as culturallandscape etc.
●

During the Tenth Five-year Plan period, Beijing focused on the training of water system in central urban andthe investments were increased compared with the past years. In addition to traditional river training
objectives, i.e. flood control and drainage, new objectives are added in the aspects of landscape and ecologicalrehabilitations in order to realize 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 forriverbank 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, two docks, and asluice are completed.

9

Beijing, CHINA
KEYWORDS
KEYWORDS
water quality improvement, flood control, landscapeThe effect and current situation of river restoration●

Six scenic spots including historical and cultural parks, ecological parks, water scenes with stacked 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 human landscape are recognized by the majority of
the residents.

10

Chunggye-Stream
River length: 13750m, Area: 50.96 km2

Background of river restoration●

The Chunggye Stream, which flows in downtown Seoul, was filled up with trash, ground and sand swept

from the bare mountains and severely contaminated with wastes from shabby makeshift houses built alongsidein 1940 to 1950s. It became a symbol of poverty and slovenliness, 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 were opened one

after another along the concrete-covered stream, attracting some endless lines of customers. Every day there
were hundreds of thousands of vehicles passing through the covered stream and the elevated highway. The
area eventually became the busiest and noisiest sector in Seoul. Then, in the 1990s it came to be regarded as asource of intense traffic, health and environmental issues.

Around 1950
After 1971

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

11

Seoul, KOREA
KEYWORDS
KEYWORDS
open space in downtown, long history and splendid cultures.
green area.

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-laneroads 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 andsplendid 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 are 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 anddowntown culture/tourism belt designed to turn the downtown into a place for tourists, along with the Chunggye
Stream river.

River Management Division
Seoul Metropolitan Government
Reference Materials/Site(English)→http://www.sisul.or.kr/grobal/cheonggye/eng/WebContent/index.html(Korean) →http://www.cheonggyecheon.or.kr/
12

Osan Stream
River length: 29.5km, Area: 152.83km2

Background of river restoration●

Urbanization and industrialization, which started in the early 1960s, especially accelerated thedegeneration of river ecosystems. Pavements with non-percolated material such as asphalt and concrete inurban areas caused lack of groundwater recharge and thus lack of stream flow recharge.
●

In 1994, Osan Stream was selected as a pilot project site and the project was completed in 2003.

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.

Improvement of Concrete parking lots

Improvement of ecosystem by gently sloping levees
13Gyeungggido, KOREA
Current situation and future prospects of river restoration●

The BOD of the Osan Stream reached 2-5ppm, and it has remained stable to meet environmental

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.

Stepping stone

Foot protection stone

14

Yangjae Stream
River length: 15.6km, Area: 0.5km2

Background of river restoration●

The Yangjae Stream, originating from a hilly andmountainous region, is located at the southwest part of themetropolitan Seoul, and flows though Gwacheon City. Whenlarge-scale housing projects were performed in 1970s, theriver was straightened to provide flood protection.
●

Because of urbanization, the BOD of the Yangjae Stream

river

reached15mg/l

and

the

river

becameasewer-converted river.
●

Yangjae Stream "park river" project was carried out in

1995, to meet increasing interests in natural environments oflocal residents as living standards were improved.

Efforts for river restoration●

The local government carried out the environment improvement project and some companies joinedin 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-natureriver.
●The Yangjae Stream has various waterfront facilities. (Swimming areas and rice farming experienceplace).

15

Seoul, KOREA
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 refreshinggreen oasis within suffocating black smog and mob of the city. And various cultural events are held inwaterfront such as film festivals and musical concerts.
●

The BOD of the Yangjae Stream reached 2mg/l. This is an environmentally friendly area that is 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 river environments.

River Management Division
Gangnam-gu office
Reference Materials/Site(English) →http://english.gangnam.go.kr/(Korean) →http://www.gangnam.go.kr/
16

Sum
mida
a RiveR er
Riveer Lengtth:23500
0m

Are
ea:690.33km2

Baackgroound ofo riveer restoratiion

Sumida River

TTo
okyo

● In
I the Edo peeriod (1603-1868), as the city develo
oped,
a waaterfront waas developeed in the Su
umida River andmany people gatthered for booating and firreworks.
● In
I the 20th century,cdue to an increaase in populaationand plants alongg the river, th
he water quaality deterioraated.
In paarticular, inthe period of highheconommic growth (1950(
to 19960s),BOD
D reached 40mg/l,
4
the deterioration of the riverenvironment
reached a peak, and a bad smell drifted into surroun
nding
areas.
● AroundA
the sames
periodd, levees werre constructeed toproteect the capital city fromm tidal wavess. Because linear
leveees
sepaarated local residents from the waterfront, thelandscape that had
h long been loved byy people andd thebustle of the watterfront were lost.

(Source: Tokyo Metropolitan
M
Govv.)

Around 196
67

Effforts for riv
ver reestoraation
linear levvees
（m
mg/ｌ）

30
25
20
15
10

1973

1977

1981

1985

1989

1993

1997

2001

2005

2008

1979

1982

1985

1988

1991

1994

1997

2000

2003

1965

1969

1,80
00,000
1,60
00,0001,40
00,0001,20
00,000
1,00
00,00080
00,00060
00,00040
00,00020
00,000
0

2006

17

1976

G
Gentlyslopingg levees

1973

1961

0

Ratio of population connected
to public sewerage

35

5Passenger numberof the Tokyo sightseeing ship

Tokyyo Metropolitan
n Gov.

（%）

10
00
90
0
80
0
70
0
60
0
50
0
40
0
30
0
Environnmental Qualityy Standards
20
0
10
0
0

40

Water quality (BOD)● VariousVmeaasures weree taken to improve watter
quallity. For example,ea sewage system wasw
reco
onstructed inn the basin (diffusion raterincreasedon
from
m 10% in 19
961 to 100%% in 1995); regulationsr
plan
nt effluent werew
tighteneed; and watter was drawwnfromm the Tone River to purifyy river waterr.
● Gently sloping levees andahigh standard leveees
weree constructeed as substitutes for lin
near levees toincreease durabiility. At thee same time, river eddgeterraaces (promeenades) weere improved and leveees
weree forested too improve waater amenitiees.

Tokyo , JAPANKEYWORDS
KEYWORDS

Water quality improvement, Restoration/improvement ofwaterfront area (River walk)Current situation and future prospects of river restoration● In 1978, the BOD of the Sumida River reached 7.4mg/l, and it has remained stable to meetenvironmental standards since then. With the improvement of the sewage system and activities of citizens’
groups, water quality was significantly improved. This led to the recovery of fish, aquatic birds, and aquaticplants along the shore.
● As the bad smell was gone and water amenity space was improved, the waterfront of the Sumida River
attracted many people again. Fireworks and boat races, which had been suspended for a while, have now
been restored. The river has become popular among tourists from inside and outside the region with more
sightseeing boat services offered.
● The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans more improvement, positioning increased attractiveness ofwaterfront areas including the Sumida River as an important pillar of its future urban strategies.

The present sumida river（2010）(Tokyo Metropolitan Gov.)

boat races

The present sumida river （2009）

River Management DivisionTokyo Metropolitan Gorvenment
Reference Materials/Site(English)→http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/waterside/domestic/07community_and_urban_river_re/570.html(Japanese)→ http://www.a-rr.net/jp/waterside/domestic/index.html
18

Izumi River
River Length：11,500m

Area:11.5km2

Background of river restoration
Izumi River● The Izumi River is a small river, flowing low ground in thebottom of a ravine lying between a plateau in the west sideof Yokohama City. The headwaters spring from the cliff line of
the ravine door.

● The urbanization of the basin has advanced rapidly near the center of Yokohama though farmlands
and slope woods still remain in the middle and lower basin. In the 1970s, the river had been
immediately flood with just a little rain. Therefore, the shore was covered by steel sheet piles. The
riverbed was also dug deeply, and then it made residents hard to approach the riverside. The water
quality of the river had been deteriorating and exactly “Sewage River”.

Efforts for river restoration● In Yokohama City, the study of "Izumi River environmental improvement basic plan" was started in 1987.
Through workshops and other activities by elementary students in the basin, an integral improvement plan tomake effective use of nearby river, involving park maintenance, green space conservation and other projects,
were developed.
● Afterwards, the plan, "Home river construction project”, received approval from
the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Tourism in 1991, so theimplementation of the plan has started. Basic improvements such as "Waterside in
Waterside in
Futatsubashi
Waterside in
Zizoubara" in1994, "Waterside in Higashiyama" in 1996, "Waterside in Sekigahara" inHigashiyama
1997 and "Waterside in Futatsubashi” in 1998 were carried out.
● For instance, widening the river and reconstructing the flow path and waterside
Waterside in
were implemented in "Waterside in Sekigahara" so as to be familiar with surrounding Sekigahara
landscape. Besides, an integral improvement, which is associated woods in slopes on
the left bank side with the whole river space, was carried on. And so a green rich andpopular space with residents was created.
Tokaido Shinkansen
Waterside in
Zizoubara

Izumi River

Basin(Photo: Shinichi Yoshimura)
Before maintenance(Waterside in Higashiyama)

Sakai River
After maintenance(Waterside in Higashiyama)

19

Izumi river basin andits basic improvements

Kanagawa, JAPANKEYWORDS
KEYWORDS

Integral improvement with city planning,
multi-natural river-making, and the citizens' participation

Current situation and future prospects of river restoration● Improved waterside is giving a lively public space forresidents in their daily life, as children are fishing crayfish
and plying with water and people are enjoying walking
along riverside.
● The Izumi River basin has eight waterside protection
associations. Local residents are regularly participated incleaning the river. Through these activities, more people get
feeling closer to and interested in river, which make theriverside more community-based space.
●
In 1996, some fish (Carassius and loach) wererecognized for the first time in the river. According to themonitoring survey (2005-2006), 18 fish species were foundin the Izumi River. It is expected that the number of fish
species are increasing and those phase are being varied. It
is assumed that these changes are related to the improved
water quality, which is realized by the implementation of
improving environmental-friendly river path and theincrease of sewerage coverage (BOD: more than10mg / luntil1993 below 5mg / l since 1996) .
●The spatial designs for improving "waterside in
Higashiyama" and "waterside in Sekigahara" received "Civil
Society Award for Best Design Award" in 2005.
● "Izumi River Valley water cycle reproduction Action
Plan", was established in 2002. In this plan, policies forrecovering water to the 1950s quantity and quality andrestoring clarified spring water are being promoted.

River Management Division
Yokohama City
Reference Materials/Site(English)→http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/waterside/dome
stic/07community_and_urban_river_re/1075.html(Japanese)→http://www.a-rr.net/jp/waterside/domest
ic/04/881.html
Current landscapes near the waterside
in Higashiyama

20

Kushiro River
River Length：154,000m

Area: 2,510km

Kushiro River

2

Background of river restoration●Kushiro wetland situated at the lower river basin of Kushiro River, covering 20,000 ha, is the largest wetland inJapan. It has become a valuable habitat of plants and animals. In 1980 it has been registered as Japan's first Ramsar
Site wetland.
●After a great flood caused serious damages in 1920, the Kushiro
River flood control project was began with an implementation ofstraitening the river line. As the valley has been developed in parallelwith the project, some wetlands have turned into farmlands or urban
areas and surrounding forests has been cut off.
●These land-use changes
Kushiro wetland
Kushiro Riverand river renovation caused
a decrease in the inflow oflandslide and groundwater,
and a reduction in wetland,
and accelerated dryness.
The wetland reduced byKushiro urban areas
around 20% in the pastyear
50 years, which has been a
1947s
1970s
significant impact on wetland
2000
Kushiro urban areas in the lower
ecosystems and landscapes.
Kushiro wetland
Changes of wetland area from 1947 to2000’s(Ministry of Environment)

Efforts for river restoration●The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
set up the study committee in 1999, and carried out theenvironmental preservation of the Kushiro River. Followed by
the enactment of the Nature Restoration promotion Act, in2003 "Kushiro wetland natural restoration conference" wasestablished by the union of the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport Tourism, the Ministry ofEnvironment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, the local residents, NPO, the local organization andthe people from academic background, therefore Kushiro
river natural restoration project was moved into
implementation.
●This nature restoration project is targeting the previous
wetland environment, which was before registered as
Ramsar site and started rapid deterioration. In order toprevent landslide inflow to the wetlands, wide-ranging
efforts over the entire wetland, i.e. restoration of the snaking
river, afforesting the bare land and denuded land, andmaintenance and restoration of the wetland, has been
conducted.

21

Prevention of the landslide
inflow to wetland

Restoration of
Snaking river

Reproduction of
wetland

Afforestation to bareland and denuded land

The main efforts of maintenance andreproduction of Kushiro wetland

Hokkaido, JAPANKEYWORDS
natural reproduction conference, protection and rebirth ofmarshland, and restorations of meandering stream

Current situation and future prospects of river restoration●The nature restoration project of Kushiro wetland is targeting "Qualitative, quantitative recovery of thewetland ecosystem", "Restoration of the circulation that maintains the wetland ecosystem", and "promoting
sustainablly wetland-related socoiety” for the entire valley. It is considered that relevant administrative
agencies, local governments, experts, local residents and landowners and citizen groups such as NPO etc, thatcompose the natural restoration conference, play their roles and promote diverse nature restoration.
●It is assumed to check the implementationof these measures every five years, andreview them and evaluation methods basedon the progress every ten years.
Restoration ofsnaking river
Straightened riverobjectQyalitative,
quantitative
recovery of thewetlandecosystem

Restoration of
the circulationthat maintains
the wetland
ecosystem

Snaking river restorations for straightened river（currently underway）

Promotingsustatinablly
wetland-relat
ed society

approachmethods
Protection of healthy wetland
Protection and Protection and restoration of habitat of rare species in
restoration of wetland
wetlandProtection and restoration of habitat of rare species inecosystem,lake
habitat of rare Recovery and restoration of pristine wilderness area
speciesDevelopment of management approach of nonnative
speciesProtection of rivers with healty envitonment
Protection and Recovery and restoration of existing river dynamizm
restration ofProtection and restoration of various environment,
river
i.e. riparian forest
management
Protection and restoration of longitudinal continuityof riverProtection andrestoration offorests in the
hilly side areaside of rivers

Protection of forests with healty function
Recovery and resetoration of forest in bare area
Recovery, protection and renovation of forest
ecosystem in treeless and afforestation area
Awareness and renovation ofReovery ofUnderstanding water and physical cycle mechanism inwater sycle and the basin of Kushiro River
physical cycle Protection and recovery of water quality of inflow
Controlling
sediment
inflow to
wetland,river and lake

Understanding sediment production, sedimenttranspotation, and sedimentation mechanism
Controlling outflow at sediment source
Alleviating sediment inflow to wetland

Promotion ofcontinued
utilization andenvironmental
education

Enhansing environmental eduation and networking
transmission of information and promotion ofresident participation in nature restration project
Developing guidelines and rules on utilization of
wetlandStudy a way of sustainable development of local
industry
Protection of beautiful landscape●The Kushiro River and the Kushiro wetland are eminent sightseeing spots of Japan, where a lot of tourists visit
for canoe and nature observation, besides known as a nesting site of Japanese crane that is a special national
natural treasure in Japan. Because the nature restoration project of Kushiro wetland is one of the pioneeringcases in Japan, further promotion is expected to achieve its objectives.

Japanese craneKushiro wetland

Canoe(Photo：Kushiro Development and Construction Department)

River Management Division

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Hokkaido
Regional Development Bureau)

Reference Materials/Site(English)→http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/waterside/domestic/restoration_project/567.html(Japanese)→http://www.ks.hkd.mlit.go.jp/kasen/kushiro_wetland/index.html
22

Mae Nam Phichit(Phichit River)
PhichitOrigin: Nan River
Outlet: Yom River
River Length: 127 Km.
Catchment’s area: 91.10 Km2.
Average Annual Rainfall: 1,225.70 mm.
Average runoff: 20.61 m3/s

River

Nan River

General Information
Yom River
Mae Nam Phichit (Phichit River), in fact old
Nan river, in the past was shallow with some partdried out due to the way changing of Nan river,In sub-basin of Upper Chao phraya River,
Phichit Province ,THAILAND
eventually turn into dead river.
The Phichit river passes and separates fromNan river through various communities in Phichit province and flows to meet Yom River at Bang-Klan sub-districtin Pho-Talae district. It has been various names according to the places that the river passing.

Background of the riverPhichit is the name of a province of Thailand, located in the north of the country. The rivers Nan and Yom
flow through the Phichit province, before they join shortly to the Chao Phraya river is formed. The Origin of
Mae Nam phichit is Nan rivers at Dong Settee village and flows to Yom river at Bang Klan temple. Total lengthis 127 Km. The province mainly consists of low fertile river plains, making rice and lotus the main crops.

Problem occurred in Phichit river
The Phichit river is shallow due to accumulated
sediment bring to the problems of water shortage in dry
season and flood in rainy season adding with waterpollution by waste water released to the river from thecommunity near the river. So that the Phichit riverneed to be dredged and rehabilitation.

Phichit river before restoration

Objectives

One of the mandates of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is water resources management,
development, conservation and rehabilitation which aim to systemize water resources management in the river
basins. To conserve and rehabilitate water resources in Phichit river, DWR have the plan on conservation,
development and rehabilitation of Phichit river the activities is follow:- Improvement and rehabilitation of Phichit river by dredging existing shallow river due to accumulated
sediment. More water can be stored, drainage is faster, that contributes to better ecosystem.
- Construction of control structures in the river in order to increase storage capacity of natural water andmake utmost benefit from the control structures.

23

THAILAND

Summary of implementation

X-section of dredging

To improve and rehabilitate of Phichit river, DWR
has been allocated the budgets are as follow :- In the fiscal year 2003, 2008, Phichit riverproject previous stage and stage I : To
excavate and channel improvement of Phichit
river for 75 km. and Bang Klan , Wat Kwang
and Dong Settee control structures at theamount of 232 million baht.
- In the fiscal year 2009, Phichit river projectstage II : To excavate and channel
improvement of Phichit river for 22 km. at
the amount of 34 million baht.
- In the fiscal year 2010, Phichit river projectstage III : To excavate and channel
improvement of Phichit river for 27 km. at
the amount of 60 million baht.

In the next fiscal year
DWR have the plan to implement Phichit river are as follow:- In the fiscal year 2011, Construction of 3 control structures in Phichit river (Meang Kaow, Po Pratubchangand Suppakhun control structures) about 70 million baht.
- In the fiscal year 2012, Construction of pumping station and facilities at Dong Settee about 25 million baht.
Equipped with remote control system about 20 million baht.

Expected benefits
Phichit river has been improved and rehabilitated to have more efficient storage capacity and benefit gained
from the project are as follow:- to solve the problem of water shortage for domestic
use by increase water capacity in the river- water for agricultural use (benefit area is 43,700 Rai
or 7,000 ha)- flood reduction ( The storage capacity afterchannel improvement is 153,350 m3)- the ecosystem of the river revitalized- the better of people living condition and increasing
participation of people in water resources management- tourism and recreations
Phichit river after restoration
24

River Skerne
River Length ：4,000km

Area : 255km2
River Skerne

Background of river restoration●The River Skerne is located in the town ofDarlington, flowing through urban parkland
surrounded by housing and industry.
●Over the past 200 years it has undergone
straightening and deepening for flood control anddrainage. Much of the floodplain has been raised highabove the river by industrial waste tipping.
●Housing development, gas and sewer pipes andelectricity cables, further limited restoration
opportunities as is typical of urban rivers elsewhere.
●The River Skerne Restoration Project was promoted
as a part of the EU-LIFE demonstration project since
1994. This aimed desseminate information about
river restoration methods as an integral part ofsustainable water management and to promotefurther river restoration initiatives.

Riffle and Deflectors

Revetments

Former straightcourseBackwaters andWetlands

New tree andshrub planning

New footpath

Efforts for river restoration● The Restoration Project objected restration of 2km of the river in terms of physial features, flood management,
habitat diversity, water quality, landscape and access for the community.
●The physical restoration of river features was achieved, where constraints allowed, by: re-meandering the course
where space permitted; cutting a new channel and filling the old; re-profiling the river bank to more natural shapes.
●Where the straight course was retained it was enhanced by riffles and in-stream flow deflectors, forcing the water
to change direction, forming pools and shallows. The banks were re-profiled to a gentler, safer angle and watersideplanting used to create ledges.
●To restore the ecological value of the river, the project was
carried on by improving the sewer systems and riverside outfalls,
creating shallow wetlands on the lowered floodplain, andintroducing different river features to encourage natural processes
and create new habitats.
●Local community involvement and understanding was
implemeted to make the river accessible, attractive andinteresting to the people of Darlington, by community input indesign, planning planting and education, providing new footpaths,
footbridge and access to the rivers edge, landscaping to create aRiver Skerne prior to restoration works
pleasant ‘greener’ environment.
(The River Restoration Centre)25

Darlington, the UK
KEYWORDS

Meanders and Deflectors, Footpaths and Access, Sewers and Outfalls,
Backwaters, and Public Involvement in Landscaping and Planting

Early results in the river function●Improved function of the River Skerne by the project are listed in the table below,
River function
Flooding
HabitatWildlife
Water quality
Planting
Landscaperecreation
EducationandResults
Shallow flooding of the planted grassland removes silts from the river.
Waders feed in the pools.
The riffle and deflectors have created pools and shoals resembling amore natural River Skerne.
Previously absent or uncommon, swans, fish, dragonflies and theprotected water vole have been recorded.
The quality of surface water entering the river has been improved, whilst
visually, the removal of outfalls has had an immediate effect.
Trees, shrubs, plants and bulbs enhance the informal park. Riversideflowers add colour and life.
Visually much more attractive. New paths and a new footbridge
complete the theme of ‘bringing the countryside into town’.
Universities/colleges have shown great interest and local schools havehelped with planting and monitoring.
Constructed footpath (The River Restoration Centre)

Riffles where re-meandering was not possible(The River Restoration Centre)

Willow mattress revetment under construction, 1995

Created Backwaters and Wetlands (The River Restoration Centre)(The River Restoration Centre)

Benefits and Monitoring●An independent survey after the complition of the project showed that local residents mostly agreed with theachievement of the projects’ objectives; increase in wildlife and habitat, improved landscape quality, improved
recreation, reduced risk of flooding and good value for money.
●Overall 82% of the local community approved of the River kerne Project just one year after the majority of work
had been completed. Even after two years passed, the River Skerne is still attracting much attention, receiving
several awards such as Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Award in the Regeneration category and Civic TrustSpecial Award for Landscape.
●A comprehensive monitoring programme has been running since the start of the project and will continue for atleast four more years.

Reference Materials/Site
The River Restoration Centre(English)→http://www.therrc.co.uk/
26

Kissimmee River
River Length ：216,000m

Area : 7,700km2

Background of river restoration● The Kissimmee River once meandered for 103 miles through central Florida. Its floodplain, reaching up to two
miles wide, was inundated for long periods by heavy seasonal rains. Wetland plants, wading birds and fish thrived
there.
● Between 1962 and 1971, as part of the Central
and South Florida Project, the river was channelized
and two-thirds of the historical floodplain was drained.
Excavation of the canal and placement of the spoil
material destroyed one-third of the river channel.
● The canal achieved sognificant flood reduction
benefits, however the channelization also harmed theriver-floodplain ecosystem such as wintering
waterfowl, wading bird and game fish populations.
● Environmental restoration project began in 1999 –a 50-50 partnership with the South Florida Water
Management District and the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers – is currently projected to be complete by
2014.
New meandering Kissimmee River

Efforts for river restoration(ORLANDO SENTINEL / December 22, 2009)● The Restoration project is intended to restore
over 40 square miles of river and floodplain
ecosystem including 43 miles of meandering river
channel and 27,000 acres of wetlands.
● In the upper basin, restoration efforts consists ofimprovements to two canals, changes in managing
water levels in Lakes Kissimmee, Hatchineha, andCypress, as well as the acquisition of land.
● In the lower basin, approximately 22 miles of theCanal will be backfilled. Also excavating nearly nine
miles of river channel, and removing two water
control structures and locks.
● The project developed a comprehensive evaluation
programme named ‘Kissimmee River Restoration
Evaluation Programme’. It takes performancemeasures to predict ecological changes that are
expected to result from the project, including changes
in hydrology, water quality, and major biologicalcommunities such as plants, invertebrates, fish, andbirds.
Kissimmee River Restoration Project(C-37 Canal Widening Public Meeting (November 19, 2009),
US Army Corps of Engineers)27

Florida, the US
KEYWORDS

Meanders, Restoration Evaluation Programme, andBalancing Flood Control, Water Supply and Environmental Restoration

Progress of the Restoration project● In the lower Kissimmee River Basin, Phase one construction was completed in 2001 and phase two wascompleted in 2009, restoring continuous water flow to 19 miles of the Kissimmee River. The third phase is now
underway and includes backfilling and restoring flow to eight miles of the river.
● About 98 percent of lands needed to complete Kissimmee River Restoration have been acquired – a total of
102,061 acres.
Table. Restoration Project Schedule (krr_krrep_factstour_sheet, South Florida Water Management District)
Construction
Sequence

Name of
Phase

Timeline

Backfilled
CanalRiver Channel
Recarved

River Channel to Receive
Reestablished Flow

Total area(acres)Wetland Gained(acres)1

Phase I

Jun ‘99 – Feb ’01

8 miles

1 mile14 miles

9,506

5,792

2

Phase IVA

Jun ’06 – Sep ‘07

2 miles

1 mile4 miles

1,352

512

3

Phase IVB

Jun ’08 – Dec ‘09

4 miles

4 miles

6 miles

4,183

1,406

4

Phase II/III

Apr ’12 – Oct ‘14

9 miles

4 miles

16 miles

9,921

4,688

Environmental impacts and Future prospects●The comprehensive continued monitoring documented promising increases in dissolved oxygen levels, reductions
in river channel floating plant cover and accumulated sediments on the river bottom, recovery of wetlands, andincreased populations of waterfowl, wading birds, and bass and other sunfishes.

Largemouth bass
and sunfish
increased from38 to 68% of the
fish community

Again a mecca forboaters andanglers as theecosystem
restored(The future of Kissimmee
River, South Florida Water
Management District)(The future of Kissimmee
River, South Florida Water
Management District)

New habitat is created by the Restoration (The future of Kissimmee River, South Florida Water )Management District)

Reference Materials/Site
South Florida Water Management District, US Army Corps of Engineers(English)→http://www.sfwmd.gov/, http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/
28

bout AR
RRN
Ab
Objectives
ARR
RN aims to co
ontribute to the creationn of rich Asian water envvironment for the following two purp
poses as a noonpolittical organizaation.
To establish a mechan
nism to exch
hange and shhare case stu
udies, inform
mation, technologies, and experiencees
related too river/waterrfront restoraation in the worldw
and inn the Asian countries,cwith engineerss, researcherrs,
ecologistss, governmen
nt officials an
nd citizens thhrough eventts and websiites.
To establish a river/w
watershed reestoration gu
uideline that can be utilized in the A
Asian monsooon area witth
similar soccial and natu
ural environm
ment, and im
mprove know
wledge and skkills of netwo
ork participants.

Japan
Korea
Ch
hina

Actiivities
ARR
RN carries out following activitiesato achieveathe above-mentioaoned objectiives.
orkshops witth agendum of river/watershed
Holds inteernational forums and wo
Publicize informationirelated to waterfront resstoration through websittes and newss letters
Prepares anda distributtes guidelinees related to river/watersshed restorattion
Assists plaans to dispatch lecturers and experts,, and site tou
urs among networks in counties and regions
Carries ou
ut activities ofo survey/ressearches, publication, pu
ublic relations related to rriver environ
nment

29

Reference Guideline for Restoration by Eco-Compatible Approach inRiver Basin ver.1
Separate Volume
January, 2011
<Publishing>

Asian River Restoration Network (ARRN)
Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration (RFC)
Shinkawa Chuoh Bldg., 7th Flr. 17-24, Shinkawa 1cho-me, Chuo-ku, Tokyo,
JAPAN, 104-0033
TEL: +81-3-6228-3862 FAX: +81-3-3523-0640
E-mail: secre@a-rr.net
Website: http://www.a-rr.net/<Supervisor>
ARRN Technical Committee<Editing>
ARRN secretariat<Writing>
China River Restoration Network (CRRN)
Korea River Restoration Network (KRRN)Japan River Restoration Network (JRRN)
Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand