Re-meandering

A river meander is a U-form taken by the river, allowing it to decrease water velocity. In the past, rivers have been straightened by cutting off meanders. Many rivers in northern and Western Europe have been straightened and channelized to, for example, facilitate log floating and/or speed up the drainage of water and control/limit the river bed movements. Channelizing was also a way to gain land for cultivation. River re-meandering consists in creating a new meandering course or reconnecting cut-off meanders, therefore slowing down the river flow. The new form of the river channel creates new flow conditions and very often also has a positive impact on sedimentation and biodiversity. The newly created or reconnected meanders also provide habitats for a wide range of aquatic and land species of plants and animals.

Moreover, meander restoration is considered a type of channel and floodplain morphological restoration that promotes aquatic habitat diversity, which ultimately supports sustainable catchment management. These projects are particularly effective in flood mitigation, especially during low-intensity floods. Projects higher in the catchment tend to show broader benefits, reducing the flood area more significantly than those lower down. Additionally, consolidated projects are more effective at reducing high-velocity flood areas than dispersed ones.

The newly created or reconnected meanders also provide habitats for a wide range of aquatic and land species of plants and animals.