Erosion, sedimentation and restoration of rivers. Engineering and research examples.

Abstract

This paper presents some examples of studies in river engineering in which sediment plays a relevant role. This field is sometimes called hydromorphology, river morphodynamics or fluvial morphology. This study focuses more on the longitudinal profile and cross-sections of the river rather than the planform mobility. The river engineering examples are from Latin America, including erosion in rivers on the northern coast of Peru during the 1998 El Niño and sedimentation in the Pilcomayo River, which is shared by Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay. Both examples are a result of experiences from European missions. Because of their magnitude, these kinds of problems are related to the geomorphology of rivers. Restoration examples include the Besòs River near Barcelona and others in developed European countries. These cases involve small gravel-bed rivers only. The end of this article briefly mentions research carried out by the author and collaborators at the University related to torrential rivers with steep slopes and rock riprap protections. This paper was presented as the opening talk in the 25th Latin American Congress on Hydraulics held in San José, Costa Rica, September 9-12, 2012.