RIOU vzw

Schlagfertigkeit

Riou is one of the partners dealing with natural water retention.

In fact floods and droughts are two aspects of just one problem.

The idea is that sources areas and floodplains in the upper parts of the catchment basin can play an important role for the whole of the Meuse basin. Condition is they can function in a natural way. When the bog, moor and fen vegetation is well developed it acts as a sponge for the sky-water. This presents a double benefit. First, in case of high water the flood is slowed down because the water will saturate the natural sponges first. Only when the sponge is full will the extra water flow into the brooks and the rivers. Second, as the water is kept in the sponges it also has enough time to infiltrate the soil. The water thus kept in the system presents a welcome reserve in times of drought.
In the Ardennes a number of small tributaries of the Meuse are being restored to their natural situation by Riou's local partner Natagora/BNVS. The key question now is: has the restoration of the river valleys as it is carried out an influence on the discharge of the brooks? In other words:does a more natural hydrological situation help us retaining more water in the system thus avoiding drought problems? In AMICE an hydrological study will be carried out in order to answer these questions.

In this same philosophy it is also important to know which vegetation types correspond with more natural brook ecosystems. Put in a more simple way: which plants build up the natural sponges? In order to build up a solid ecological knowledge, last summer a large number of botanical releves were made in the Emmels valley.

Hydrological data combined with ecological knowledge will give us precious information on the possibilities of small scale natural water retention.

Rolle beim AMICE Projekt

Communication manager for the AMICE project.

WP1:

- Bibliography on ecology

WP2 :

- RIOU is responsible for the monitoring of the natural water retention zones in the Ardennes and for the prospection on new sites

WP5:

- Organisation of the 3 International Events

- Coordination of the film on the Meuse

- Coordination of the site visits

Specific communication actions :

- Site visit on at least 1 site of natural water retention

- Redaction of special issue of the Mosa Natura newsletter

- Coordination of communication with local actors and local administrations in sites of natural water retention

- Coordination with EPAMA of the internal project communication

- Coordination with EPAMA for designing communication tools such as brochures, flyers, panels, scale models, etc

RIOU has been for years the coordinator of the informal international network ‘Mosa Natura’ that brings together more than 50 organisations (governemental and NGO’s) from all along the river Meuse. Several partners in AMICE are members of Mosa Natura. Partners will be invited to Mosa Natura’s activities. The whole of the knowledge, the experience and the networking-capacity of Mosa Natura will be available for AMICE.