Sediment

Working areas are: observation, quantification, modeling and forecasting

photo The intention is to jointly gather know-how and develop equipment:

  1. Improvement of the measuring equipment and measuring methods for sediment transport
  2. Quantification of the long-term development of the river bed
  3. Improvement of the model concepts of morphological models for application in the Rhine basin.

Significance of the sediment studies 

Sediment transport in the Rhine has various consequences. In the past and present day, the riverbed has been subjected to many hydraulic engineering measures and changes which influence the sediment transport and erosion. Sedimentation and erosion can lead to problems in the navigable depth for shipping, to dehydration, to undermining of foundations, as well as to damage to nature and the landscape, for example.

Application of the findings of sediment studies

photo The study findings provide information which is essential for management of the basin. The sediment project is carried out by three working groups which comprise representatives of leading institutes and who are concerned with the river morphology in the Rhine basin.

 

  1. The Measuring methods and measuring equipment working group is responsible for inventory of the equipment deployed in the Rhine area to measure sediment transport, as well as the measuring method used. The most important equipment and methods are mutually compared in joint measuring campaigns.
  2. The Sediment management and river bed development working group conducts pilot studies into selected stretches of the Rhine, whereby the long-term development of the river bed and sediment measurements are combined to indicate the sediment balance of the stretch in question. This type of study is currently underway for the Dutch/German border area.
  3. The Morphological models working group applies the model concepts used in the various institutes to carefully defined laboratory and field studies. Comparison of the model concepts allows for identification of their positive and negative characteristics. Recommendations for improvements can then be made.

CHR publications on the sediment theme

Kos, Th.J.M. ; Schemmer, H. ; Jakob, A. :Feststoffmeßgeräte und Meßmethoden, Vergleichsmessungen im Rhein, 10-12 März 1998, Report no. I-18
Dröge, B.; Henoch, H.; Kelber, W.; Mahr, U.; Swanenberg, T.; Thielemann, T.; Thurm, U.(1999): Entwicklung eines Längsprofils des Rheins, Bericht für die Musterstrecke von Rhein-km 800-845. Report no. II-13
Spreafico, M.; Lehmann, C.; Schemmer, H. Burgdorffer, M. Kos, T.L. (1996): Feststoffbeobachtung im Rhein, Beschreibung der Meßgeräte und Meßmethoden, Report no. II-1

Participating Institutes

photo The Sediment working group comprises staff members of the following institutes:

Switzerland:
Federal Office for the Environment, Bern

Germany:
Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz
Federal Institute for Hydraulics, Karlsruhe
Wasser- und Schiffahrtsdirektion West, Münster
Wasser- und Schiffahrtsdirektion Südwest, Mainz

The Netherlands:
Rijkswaterstaat - Regional service East Netherlands (DON), Arnhem
Rijkswaterstaat - Centre for Water Management, Lelystad