General National Id Luxembourg_01 Site name Alzette in Schifflange Summary In the 50's and 60’s, the alluvial plain of the Alzette river was deeply modified in order to develop intensive agriculture. As a result, the water retention was reduced and ecological value declined. The project aimed at restoring the ecological state of the Alzette in Drumontshaff (Luxembourg). The two mains tasks of the project were to restore the natural functioning of the Alzette river (frequent overflowing and flooding of aside land, wetland habitats restoration) and to develop an extensive management of aside meadows (late mowing, no fertilizer or biocidal product, etc.). The first step was to determine the floodplain through past and current reference values. After the feasibility study, a reallocation scheme was drown. An agronomic feasibility study was made to determine socio-economic solutions. The river and hydraulic annexes were restored (lateral enlargement or displacement of the river bed into natural thalweg). Finally, the restoration of the complete flood plain was possible. Light or indepth? In-depth The in-depth description of the case study cs-lux-01-final_version.pdf NUTS Code Luxembourg RBD code LU RB_000 Transboundary 0 Data provider Alexandra Rossi, ACTeon Source(s) La nature mise en valeur NWRM(s) implemented in the case study Re-meandering Meadows and pastures Longitude 6.0142918 Latitude 49.5057481 Site information Climate zone cool temperate moist Mean rainfall 853 Mean rainfall unit mm/year Average temperature 9 Type Case Study Info Design & implementations Application scale Field Scale Performance timescale < 1 year Area (ha) 40 Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha) 10 Design capacity description The project was designed to restore the natural functions of the river and of its flood plain. Works were designed on this principle. Another important target was the management of the area after the project. This involved extensive agriculture and extensive grazing. The overall land planning enriched the landscape and its aesthetic value. Design contractual arrangement Arrangement type Responsibility Role Comments Name Design consultation activity Activity stage Key issues Name Comments Design land use change Land use change type Design authority Authority type Role Responsibility Name Comments National water authority Monitoring Sutainable development and infrastructure ministry Other Determination of design details of the measure Agriculture, vineyard and rural development ministry Farmers Other Famers (Friedrich from Bertange, Friedrich from Aspelt and Witry from Bergem) Other Monitoring Shifflange, Bettembourg, Mondercange and Roeser municipal administrations Lessons, risks, implications... Key lessons The Alzette restoration led to the development of extensive agriculture. The high quality productions are valued and sold locally. The river restoration has a positive impact on flood risk, water quality and biodiversity. Success factor(s) Success factor type Success factor role Comments Financing Financing type Comments Barrier Barrier type Barrier role Comments Driver Driver type Driver role Comments Financing share Financing share type Share Comments Policy, general governance and design targets Policy description In the 50s and the 60s, the alluvial plain of the Alzette river was deeply modified. The river was channelized, the valley bottom was drained and dried, intensive agriculture had been developed. As a consequence, this land planning increased flood risk downstream and had a significant impact on biodiversity and landscape. Policy target Target purpose Runoff control Peak-flow reduction Erosion Control Improved Biodiversity Policy pressure Pressure directive Relevant pressure Policy area Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments Policy impact Impact directive Relevant impact Policy wider plan Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments Policy requirement directive Requirement directive Specification Socio-economic Direct benefits information The main benefit is due to biodiversity improvement. Costs investment information No information available Costs operation maintenance No information available Costs total information No information available Ecosystem improved biodiversity 1 Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity The extensive grazing and the restoration of the river and of wetlands were beneficial for water quality and for the development of biodiversity (insects, birds, bats, etc.). Ecosystem provisioning services 1 Information on Ecosystem provisioning services The development of a didactic path is beneficial for local citizens and tourists who can walk in the area an learn about its management. Ecosystem impact climate regulation Increased permanent biomas Biophysical impacts Information on runoff reduction Wetland functions of the area were restored. The flood plain is filled by rain falls and then restitutes water. As a consequence, the project led to a reduction in runoff. However, this effect has not been quantified. Information on Peak flow rate reduction The rainwater storage in the wetland shifts the peak flow and reduces it thanks to the overall vegetation and natural pounds. However, this effect has not been quantified. Information on Water quality overall improvements Wetlands have self purifying capacities. In contrast to channeled rivers, wetlands and pounds increase oxygen exchange. This oxygen allows the development of activities of micro-organisms which degrade organic matter. Wetlands are also a place of sedimentation. Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements N/A Information on Effect delaying peak The rainwater storage in the wetland shifts the peak flow and reduces it thanks to the overall vegetation and natural pounds. Full Context Pathway(aka Context) Default view Area(aka Level or Site) ALL