Leitfaden für die Optimierung bei der Fließgewässerentwicklungsplanung

More than 80% of the German flowing water bodies do not reach the aims given by the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Despite of extensive restoration measures, most streams and rivers stay far away from the good ecological status or potential. A guideline for optimization of restoration planning shall help to enhance the effectiveness of measures. Planning documents were checked according to their statements concerning reference conditions, bottom substrates, current dynamics, with variation and following results of biological monitoring. Only few implemented measures reached a good ecological status. An example for success is the restoration of the water body Steinau/BLichen (gravel-dominated brook). The positively evaluated invertebrate fauna settles well-aerated coarse substrates. These habitat conditions are result of special geometrics and morphology. The guideline pays particular attention to the creation of sufficient width variance, to a simple check of flow dynamics and to the use of guidance on hydraulic geometry. Meanwhile hydrodynamic modelling of natural stream sectors is very complicate and expensive, the instruments of the presented guideline are simple to apply and lead in case of holistic application to conducive habitat conditions. A checklist helps with internal and external evaluation of planning documents.