Pisuerga. Improvement of ecological state of the river between the dam Pisuerga Aguilar de Campo and Alar del Rey (Palencia) 1st Stage.

Pisuerga. Improvement of the ecological state of the Pisuerga river between the Aguilar de Campo dam and Alar del Rey (Palencia) 1^st Stage.

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Key features of the case study

The regulation of the flow regime determines an artificial and seasoned flow regime, and the massive release of sediments; also, the presence of weirs difficult and block the mobility for fish upstream migration and habitat availability

Site description

The river segment under study is located at the region of Las Loras. Its lithology consists of alluvial material (fluvial origin) at the river channel,and marl and limestone mixed with sandy and clay materials in the rest of the basin.
The flow regime is determined by the presence of the Aguilar dam. The partial or total elimination of the shore and riparian vegetation due to the agricultural land use has caused morphological changes in some channel reaches.
In terms of its biota, the natural vegetation has disappeared in many places, being replaced by agricultural and forestry crops(poplar).
the riparian vegetation is composed of willow shrubs, mainly Salix triandra, Salix elaeagnos, Salix purpurea, Salix cantabrica, and Salix salvifolia.

Alteration of the water quality. Excess of turbidity due to the input of sediments from the Aguilar de Campoo dam.

The presence of dikes hinder the migration of fish.

Measures selection

This is the first stage of the total project which envolves mitigation and preventive measures. The global objectives are:

• Improve aquatic habitats and recover aquatic communities
  
• Improve longitudinal connectivity
  
• Streambank stabilisation
  
• Improve the structure and composition of the vegetation
  

The measures comprise bank stabilisation (to reduce erosion and sediment input, and facilitate the establishment of vegetation), the installation of fish pass and spawing areas.

Socio-economic aspects

The project has a total budget of 3.135.508 € and is financed by the Ministry of Environment, as part of the National Strategy for River Restoration.

Contact person within the organization

Ignacio Rodríguez Muñóz.
Comisario de Aguas de la Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero.
e-mail: irm@chduero.es

Extra background information

This project is a complementary action to another project developed by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero at the reservoir of Aguilar de Campoo. With the objective of improve the water quality and the sediment flow from the reservoir, a new sluice for water intake is being constructed at the dam. Studies of the Department of Water Quality of the Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero have determined that the amount of suspended solids could be reduced if taken from a height over 12 meters above the riverbed. So far, the channels for water intake were located at low heights with consequent release of undesired sediments andan impoverishment of the water quality. The new water intake will have a maximum flow between 12 and 15 m³/s since the actual drains will remain functional. This project has a total budget of 3.500.000 € and is part of the National Strategy for River Restoration.

Aguilar de Campoo dam

References

http://www.mma.es/secciones/acm/aguas_continent_zonas_asoc/dominio_hidraulico/conserv_restaur/pdf/Rio_Pisuerga.pdf

Related Measures

• Install fish pass/bypass/side channel for upstream migration
• Remove sediments

Related Pressures

• Hydrological regime modification
• Artificial barriers upstream from the site
• Alteration of riparian vegetation
• Alteration of instream habitat
• Embankments, levees or dikes
• Sedimentation and sediment input