River Restoration Basics

Healthy RiverÂ
A healthy river is measured by:
* The flow of the river
* The clarity of its waters
* The levels of oxygen
* The diversity of the life within it
* The balance of that diversity
* The stability of its banks
* The healthy riparian vegetation that support the river banks as well as the biodiversity within the river's waters
* The health of the land, soil and vegetation of the river basin
* The harmonious interaction between the communities and the river
Credit: Wix
Challenges
The River's health is challenged by:
* Blockage to the flow, such as dams
* Depletion to the flow, such as water diverted for irrigation
* Dams and irrigation systems that prevent the natural movement of biological life
* Sewage going into the river, not properly processed, causing harm to people and to the biodiversity of the river system
* Industrial waste dumping into the river
* Plastic and garbage that's thrown into or ends up in the river
* Farming methods that waste water, and use toxic fertilizers and pesticides that end up in the river through runoff
* Erosion of river banks through lack of riparian vegetation

Credit: Wix

Credit: Wix
Solutions
Ways to help restore the health of rivers:
* Mitigate or remove blocks to the river's flow
* Monitor the clarity of its waters
* Monitor the levels of oxygen
* Monitor the diversity of the life within it
and the balance of that diversity
* Establish and maintain the stability of its banks and support of riparian vegetation
* Assess and mitigate the impacts of people and land within the river basin, runoff from farmlands, and erosion of the river banks
* Educate people on their impact on rivers and how they can help keep rivers clean
* Develop a harmonious interaction between the communities and the river
* Use best practices water management
* Control the toxic input and impact of industrial waste going into the river