Integration of floodplains, wetlands and river mouths into a unified water management system

Integration of floodplains, wetlands and river mouths into a unified water management system

After passing through the upper slopes, forests, ravines, and foothills, the water enters the final above-ground cascades of the DREVO Living Mountains system. Their purpose is not to quickly drain the water into the sea, but to maximize its ecological and economic potential.

The sixth and seventh cascades form a single natural system that provides flood regulation, water purification, groundwater replenishment and coastal protection.

The main principle:

Before reaching the sea, water must travel the longest possible path through natural ecosystems.

Sixth Cascade - Floodplains

The importance of seasonal flooding and wetland restoration

The role of the floodplain

A floodplain is a natural extension of a river system. It is an area that is periodically flooded during high waters and heavy rains.

In many regions, floodplains have been isolated by dams or drained for agriculture and construction, resulting in:

increase in the speed of floods;

disappearance of swamps;

lowering of groundwater levels;

deterioration of water quality;

loss of fertile alluvial soils.

In the DREVO system, the floodplain is considered an essential element of a sustainable water regime.

Why seasonal flooding is necessary

The periodic exit of the river to the floodplain allows:

reduce the height of the flood wave;

reduce the flow rate;

replenish groundwater;

restore soil moisture;

deliver fertile silt;

ensure natural renewal of ecosystems.

There must be floodingcontrolled and safe, and not catastrophic.

Restoration of swamps

Swamps are the most important natural water accumulators.

They are capable of:

retain huge amounts of moisture;

release water slowly during dry periods;

filter impurities;

sequester carbon;

maintain unique biodiversity.

Priority is given to the restoration of natural wetland complexes and disturbed hydrological regimes, rather than the creation of artificial reservoirs.

Floodplain forests

Natural forest communities are created.

Main types:

alder;

ash tree;

elm;

oak;

willows;

local poplar species.

Floodplain forests:

strengthen the banks;

reduce the speed of water;

protect the soil;

create a favorable microclimate.

Ecological significance

Floodplains are becoming major ecological corridors.

They provide:

animal migration;

fish spawning;

development of pollinators;

conservation of waterbirds;

connection of forest and aquatic ecosystems.

Seventh Cascade - River Mouths

Final treatment, groundwater replenishment and protection from salinization

The role of the mouth

The mouth is the last piece of land before the water enters the sea.

This is where the work of the entire freshwater system ends.

Main task:

make maximum use of fresh water before mixing it with sea water.

Final water purification

Before entering the sea, water goes through several natural stages of purification.

The following work sequentially:

sedimentation;

floodplain lakes;

swamp filters;

reed communities;

coastal wetlands;

microorganisms;

soil filtration.

This reduces the flow into the sea:

suspended particles;

excess nutrients;

pollutants;

organic remains.

Groundwater recharge

Part of the purified water is sent to:

infiltration fields;

sand terraces;

gravel areas;

coastal aquifers.

Main goal:

increase strategic fresh water reserves.

Protection against salinity

Coastal aquifers are under constant risk of seawater intrusion.

The main protection mechanism is maintaining a stable freshwater pressure through the natural replenishment of aquifers.

This allows:

maintain the quality of drinking water;

protect agricultural lands;

prevent soil degradation;

ensure the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.

Restoration of deltas

The delta is seen as a living ecosystem.

Main events:

sleeve restoration;

creation of floodplain lakes;

preservation of wetlands;

restoration of lagoons;

maintaining natural sediment transport.

Integration with agriculture

The sixth and seventh cascades directly support agriculture.

They:

replenish groundwater reserves;

reduce the need for artificial irrigation;

create fertile alluvial soils;

reduce damage from floods;

protect fields from salinization;

maintain a stable moisture level in the valleys.

Integration into the DREVO system

The sixth and seventh cascades combine the work of:

DREVO Mountain Sponge— water flow from the upper cascades;

Mountain Springs Recovery— maintaining underground water balance;

Mountain Forest Corridors— a combination of mountain, floodplain and coastal forests;

Living Mountain Observatory— monitoring of hydrology and ecosystems;

Mountain Digital Twin— modeling the movement of water from the mountains to the sea;

TREVO AeroSense Drone— monitoring floodplains, swamps, estuaries and the state of vegetation;

AMCWSRI- integration with coastal restoration programs in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

The meaning of the sixth and seventh cascades

If the second and third cascades arethe heart of the catchment area, then the sixth and seventh cascades area natural system for stabilizing the water balance of plains and coasts.

They complete the path of water across land, providing:

safe passage of floods;

restoration of swamps;

natural water purification;

replenishment of strategic fresh water reserves;

protection of the coast from salinization;

conservation of deltas, lagoons and coastal ecosystems.

It is thanks to these two cascades that the water reaches the sea purified, and most of its natural potential is used to restore soils, forests, agriculture and groundwater resources.

Nine Cascades of DREVO Living Mountains

A unified water management system – from mountain peaks to the ocean

ConceptDREVO Living MountainsThe concept considers the entire watershed as a single natural engineering system. Water should not leave the area quickly; it must sequentially pass through nine interconnected cascades, where at each stage it is slowed, purified, stored, used by ecosystems, and gradually returned to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration.

The main principle of the project:

To retain water in natural ecosystems for as long as possible, while simultaneously increasing the territory's resilience to abnormal rainfall, drought, erosion, fires, and climate change.

Cascade 1. Ridges and peaks

Reception of atmospheric precipitation and protection of watersheds

This is the starting point of the entire system.

Main tasks

watershed preservation;

snow accumulation;

collection of fog and dew;

protection of thin soil layer;

prevention of wind erosion;

formation of the first micro-catchments.

Basic elements

mist eliminators;

snow retention;

mosses and lichens;

windbreak vegetation;

microrelief;

monitoring sensors.

Cascade 2. Upper slopes

Primary water retention and erosion control

The most important engineering section of the project.

Main tasks

accept the first streams of water;

maximize infiltration;

prevent the formation of ravines;

restore the soil;

to form the future forest.

Basic elements

microterrace;

stone crescents;

infiltration bowls;

shrub islands;

landing pockets;

systemDREVO Mountain Sponge.

Cascade 3. Middle slopes

Forest formation and moisture accumulation

The main natural water accumulator.

Main tasks

formation of mature forests;

accumulation of humus;

mycorrhiza development;

long-term moisture retention;

groundwater recharge.

Basic elements

mixed forests;

forest cascades;

multi-tiered plant communities;

deep humus layer;

forest litter.

Cascade 4. Ravines and streams

Slowing down flows and retaining sediments

Transition from slope runoff to a river system.

Main tasks

decrease in water speed;

riverbed stabilization;

accumulation of fertile sludge;

coastal protection;

restoration of streams.

Basic elements

stone thresholds;

widening of channels;

sediment traps;

infiltration areas;

coastal forest belts.

Cascade 5. Foothills

Large detention basins and infiltration fields

The main reservoir of fresh water.

Main tasks

accumulation of flood water;

deep infiltration;

groundwater replenishment;

provision of agriculture;

reduction of flood peaks.

Basic elements

regulating basins;

infiltration fields;

agroforestry systems;

seasonal reservoirs;

restored valleys.

Cascade 6. Floodplains

Safe seasonal flooding and wetland restoration

Natural river regulation system.

Main tasks

safe flood;

restoration of swamps;

accumulation of alluvial soils;

water purification;

support for biodiversity.

Basic elements

floodplain forests;

swamp complexes;

oxbow lakes;

temporary reservoirs;

ecological corridors.

Cascade 7. Estuary

Final treatment, groundwater replenishment and protection from salinization

The last freshwater frontier.

Main tasks

final natural water purification;

replenishment of coastal aquifers;

protection against sea water penetration;

restoration of deltas;

support of lagoons.

Basic elements

biofiltration zones;

infiltration fields;

freshwater marshes;

distribution sleeves;

regulating basins.

Cascade 8. Coastal zone

Coastal protection and restoration of blue ecosystems

The transition between land and sea.

Main tasks

coastal protection;

Dune restoration;

preservation of lagoons;

sand accumulation;

support of coastal ecosystems.

Basic elements

dune systems;

coastal forests;

lagoons;

brackish marshes;

natural wave-damping structures.

Cascade 9. Open sea and ocean

Climate regulation and the beginning of a new water cycle

The final and at the same time initial stage of the global water cycle.

Main tasks

evaporation;

cloud formation;

climate regulation;

restoration of marine ecosystems;

accumulation of blue carbon.

Basic elements

sea ​​meadows;

oyster and mussel reefs;

kelp forests;

coral reefs (where natural);

ocean monitoring system.

The logic of water movement

Precipitation

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1. Ridges and peaks

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2. Upper slopes

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3. Middle slopes

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4. Ravines and streams

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5. Foothills

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6. Floodplains

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7. River mouths

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8. Coastal zone

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9. Open sea and ocean

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Evaporation

↓

Clouds

↓

New precipitation

↓

The beginning of a new natural cycle

Three levels of project priorities

I. The main priority is the formation of water

Cascade 1–3

It is here that the water potential of the entire territory is created.

Main processes:

interception of precipitation;

infiltration;

moisture accumulation;

forest restoration;

soil formation.

II. Flow Management

Cascade 4–5

Main processes:

safe passage of floods;

water accumulation;

groundwater replenishment;

integration with agriculture;

protection of valleys.

III. Completion of the natural cycle

Cascade 6–9

Main processes:

restoration of swamps;

water purification;

coastal protection;

restoration of marine ecosystems;

participation in global climate regulation.

Integration with the DREVO ecosystem

All nine cascades work in conjunction with:

DREVO Mountain Sponge— accumulation of moisture in the soil;

Mountain Springs Recovery— restoration of springs;

Mountain Forest Corridors— design of plant communities;

DREVO Cloud & Mist System- local humidity control;

Living Mountain Observatory— network of sensors and monitoring;

Mountain Digital Twin— digital twin of the catchment area;

TREVO AeroSense Drone— remote mapping and analysis;

WOOD AI— modeling of hydrological, climatic and ecological processes;

AMCWSRI- integration of mountain watersheds with Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal restoration programs.