Consideration of hydromorphology and sediment in the implementation of the EU Water Framework and Floods Directives: a comparative analysis of selected EU Member States

Abstract

The EU Water Framework and Floods Directives represent important legislative instruments introduced in the field of water policy during the last two decades. Despite their holistic and complementary approaches, which should yield many benefits, the lack of importance given to the consideration of hydromorphology and sediments is a weakness. This will hinder the achievement of the Directives' goals, since the hydrology and geomorphology of rivers and the character and dynamics of the sediments are essential components of the aquatic habitat and ecosystem health. Moreover, the entrainment, transport and deposition of sediments determines the interrelationships between river channel geometry and flow regime, which affects flood risk. The paper reports on the findings of a survey undertaken in 2015 as part of the HYTECH project, which questioned 20 EU Water Authorities about the importance they attached to hydromorphological quality elements and sediment transport during the implementation cycles of both Directives.