Experiences with Adaptive River Management
Erik Mosselman (Deltares, TU Delft - Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering)
Nathalie Asselman (Deltares)
Tom Buijse (Wageningen University & Research, Deltares)
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Abstract
Millennia of engineering have shaped the rivers in the Netherlands in response to flood events, wars, and socio-economic developments. Continuous adaptation mostly occurred ad hoc and was reactive without integrated long-term planning. Anticipating adaptive management is only a recent development. It uses scenarios of future developments but also acknowledges deep uncertainty. In hindsight, for instance, nobody foresaw the rapid French invasion in 1672 by wading through one of the Rhine branches, which was decisive for relocating the main Rhine bifurcation from Schenkenschans to Pannerden, and for stabilizing its distribution of discharges [1]. Adaptive river management seeks to maintain or improve rivers in ways that do not cause regrets, avoid lock-ins, and prevent adverse effects in the long run