Seventh Cascade - Coast

Seventh Cascade - Coast

DREVO Coastal Water Regulation & Salinity Protection System (CWRS)

The role of the coast

The coast is the final link in the entire systemDREVO Living MountainsIt is here that the water, having passed through peaks, slopes, ravines, floodplains and valleys, completes its journey before returning to the sea.

However, the coastline's job is not simply to divert river runoff. It must function asthe last natural regulator, which:

completes water purification;

replenishes coastal aquifers;

protects fresh water from sea salt penetration;

reduces the destructive power of floods;

supports coastal ecosystems;

ensures stable interaction between land and sea.

The main principle:

Every liter of fresh water must be used as efficiently as possible by the ecosystem before it is returned to the ocean.

Main tasks

The seventh cascade provides:

final regulation of river flow;

water purification using natural methods;

accumulation of seasonal fresh water reserves;

protection of coastal aquifers;

prevention of soil salinization;

restoration of marshes and lagoons;

coastline stabilization;

support coastal biodiversity.

Main threats

When the coastline degrades, the following occurs:

penetration of seawater into fresh aquifers;

soil salinization;

disappearance of deltas and swamps;

coastal erosion;

loss of fish spawning grounds;

deterioration of water quality;

reduction of fresh water reserves.

The structure of the seventh cascade

1. Coastal distribution channels

Before going out to sea, the flow is distributed between several directions.

This allows:

reduce water speed;

reduce coastal erosion;

increase the infiltration area;

maintain coastal marshes.

2. Final detention pools

Shallow regulation basins are created in front of the mouth.

Functions:

temporary accumulation of flood water;

additional sedimentation;

decrease in flow rate;

regulation of water flow into the sea.

The basins are not dams and operate primarily during periods of high flow.

3. Biofiltration zones

The final stage of natural cleansing.

Used:

marshy areas;

reed filters;

sedge communities;

microbiological purification;

soil filtration.

Main processes:

removal of suspended solids;

binding of some biogenic elements;

reduction of turbidity;

improving the quality of water before it enters the sea.

4. Deep infiltration fields

Part of the purified water is directed to specially selected areas with high filtration capacity.

Goals:

replenishment of coastal aquifers;

creation of a fresh water reserve;

maintaining groundwater levels.

Such fields are placed only after hydrogeological studies.

5. Barrier against salinization

The main objective is to maintain sufficient freshwater pressure in coastal aquifers.

This allows:

reduce the movement of sea water inland;

protect wells;

preserve agricultural land;

stabilize the level of groundwater mineralization.

The main mechanism isnatural replenishment of fresh water, and not mechanical displacement of salt water.

Operation in normal mode

For most of the year the system:

purifies water;

replenishes aquifers;

supports swamps;

ensures a stable ecological flow into the sea.

Work during abnormal rainfall

During extreme flooding:

water enters the distribution channels;

part of the flow fills the detention basins;

the excess is distributed across safe floodplain areas;

purified water gradually flows into the sea;

Emergency spillways protect infrastructure.

The main task is to prevent a sudden discharge of the entire volume through one channel.

Working in a drought

During prolonged drought:

the ecological minimum of runoff is maintained;

accumulated underground reserves are used;

coastal marshes are preserved;

the risk of sea water penetration is reduced.

Working with sediments

The final stage of sediment accumulation.

Delayed:

fertile silt;

organic remains;

sand;

seeds;

wood material.

The sediments are used for:

restoration of deltas;

coastal strengthening;

formation of new swamps;

reclamation of degraded areas.

Restoration of coastal marshes

Swamps perform the most important functions:

accumulate flood waters;

purify water;

retain carbon;

reduce the impact of storms;

create habitats for birds, fish and invertebrates.

Priority is given to restoring existing wetlands rather than creating completely artificial ones.

Coastal plant communities

Wet freshwater areas

sedges;

sieves;

rug;

reed (local species).

Transition zone

willows;

alder;

tamarisk (in regions where it is natural);

local moisture-loving shrubs.

Drier areas

floodplain forests;

meadows;

shrub communities.

The selection of species is carried out taking into account the natural flora of the region and the level of salinity.

Coastal protection

Natural solutions are used:

Dune restoration;

strengthening with vegetation;

restoration of coastal marshes;

creation of buffer strips;

sediment stabilization.

Rigid engineering structures are used only where natural solutions are insufficient.

Robotic maintenance

DREVO Mountain Rover

Used for:

formation of pools;

restoration of swamps;

construction of infiltration fields;

planting of vegetation;

infrastructure maintenance.

TREVO AeroSense Drone

Controls:

flooded area;

change of coastline;

development will occur;

humidity;

surface salinization;

vegetation condition.

WOOD AI

Analyzes:

sediment movement;

cleaning efficiency;

change in salinity;

aquifer dynamics;

the impact of storms and rising sea levels.

Monitoring

Living Mountain Observatory monitors:

water consumption;

mineralization;

groundwater level;

the position of the boundary between salt and fresh water;

water quality;

area of ​​swamps;

vegetation condition;

sediment accumulation;

changes in the coastline.

Integration

The seventh cascade completes the operation of the entire system:

DREVO Mountain Sponge— delivery of accumulated water to the coast;

Mountain Springs Recovery— maintaining regional water balance;

Mountain Forest Corridors— the connection between mountain, river and coastal ecosystems;

Living Mountain Observatory— coastal zone monitoring;

Mountain Digital Twin- modeling of hydrology from the summit to the sea;

TREVO AeroSense Drone— remote control;

Atlantic & Mediterranean Coastal Water and Soil Resilience Initiative (AMCWSRI)- integration with programs for the restoration of coasts, dunes, lagoons and coastal ecosystems.

Expected results

After the restoration of the seventh cascade, the following is expected:

reducing the risk of salinization of aquifers;

increase in fresh water reserves;

restoration of deltas, swamps and lagoons;

improving the quality of water before it enters the sea;

Coastal stabilization;

reducing damage from storm surges;

increasing biodiversity;

increasing the resilience of coastal regions to climate change.

Conclusion

The seventh cascade completes the conceptDREVO Living Mountains, linking mountain ecosystems with the seashore into a single aquatic system. Here, water undergoes the final stage of natural regulation, purification, and accumulation, after which it returns to the ocean without coastal erosion and with maximum benefit for nature and humans. At the same time, the system maintains freshwater aquifers, prevents soil salinization, and forms a resilient natural barrier between land and sea, ensuring long-term environmental and water security of coastal areas.