Author(s): Koen Berends; Ellis Penning; Carlo Rutjes; Rob Fraaije
Linked Author(s): Ellis Penning
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: In small, shallow lowland streams submerged aquatic vegetation can take up a significant part of the crosssection during the summer season. This vegetation provides important habitat to fauna and plays a role in the natural sediment management of stream basins. However, it also increases the flow resistance, which may lead to flooding of surrounding land. Changes in the hydrologic regime following climate change calls for finding a balance between ecological and societal needs. Key to finding this balance is a good understanding of the relationship between this instream vegetation and water levels. In this study, we analysed hydraulic measurements of a canalized stream in The Netherlands. We estimated the relationship between vegetation and water level set-up using a hydraulic model and a data-driven vegetation model to quantify the impact of removal of vegetation on water levels by mowing. On average, the removal of vegetation is estimated to reduce the water tables by about 20% of the average water depth of 1 meter.
Year: 2022