Design of Restoration of Regulated Rivers Based on Bioindication

Abstract

Streambeds of rivers and brooks should form the dominant features in the urbanized areas. However, the current river regulations were unilaterally focused on flood protection and riverbeds have generally the character of prismatic channel. This solution inhibits the aesthetic function of the watercourses and has the negative impacts on instream biota. Based on the results of the research that was carried out on the mountain streams of Slovakia the authors introduce the implementation of river restorations that maintain the flood protection of the area while retaining the landscaping features of the stream. The paper describes the procedure for restoring the regulated streams based on bioindication and documents the quality of aquatic habitat of regulated and natural streams in particular examples.