Agenda

Soria 2026 10 11 y 12 de junio

Palace of the Audience Theater

9

JUNE

Hybrid workshop (in-person and online) open to the media and the general public.

 

Workshop aimed at communication professionals and the general public interested in improving the quality of environmental information. A practical space to identify frequent hoaxes, understand why they spread, and acquire tools to communicate with rigor about nature and river restoration.

 

Moderator: Ana Tuñas (Efe Verde)

 

Speakers: Nadia Kolotushkina (RTVE News), Carlos Marco (Duro Hydrographic Confederation), Gustavo González (CIREF) and Ramón J. Soria Breña, sociologist and writer

 

Spanish wine reception to follow the session.

Sold out.

Re-Sponging Iberia: Creating Flood- and Drought-Resilient Landscapes

Facilitators: Paul Brotherton (Wetlands International Europe); Aniela Stachnik (CIREF)

Language: Spanish

 

Rivers without Borders: What solutions for a shared gesture between Spain and Portugal

Facilitators: Manuela Oliveira (consultora independiente); Diana Fernandes (CIREF; E.RÍO); Irene Duque (Wetlands International Europe)  

Language: Portuguese and Spanish 

 

Who do we restore for? Learning about communication and participation in urban rivers

Facilitators: Antonio Figueroa (CIREF); Gaizka Aranguren (CIREF) and María Díaz (CIREF)

Language: Spanish 

 

«Free-flowing rivers»: methodology, evaluation and prioritization

Facilitators: Andrea Goltara (Centro Italiano per la Riqualificazione Fluviale CIRF), Cristina Buendía (Catalan Water Agency) and Evelyn García (Catalan Water Agency, CIREF)

Language: Spanish 

MORE INFORMATION

Venue: San Francisco Convent, Soria.

10

JUNE

Accreditation and material for the conference participant will be provided.

Moderated by: Gaizka Aranguren

Ana Mª Camarasa Belmonte

Floods in peri-urban boulevards: the DANA of 2024 in the Rambla de Poyo

Flood risk in ephemeral streams (ramblas) has historically been underestimated. Their intermittent flow leads to a low perception of risk among citizens and land-use managers, compounded by a considerable lack of knowledge about their hydrogeomorphological functioning. However, ephemeral streams (ramblas) entail a high level of risk due to the rapidity of the processes and the extensive occupation of their flood-prone areas. The disaster caused by the 2024 DANA in the Rambla de Poyo is a clear example of the risk posed by a very extreme event in a peri-urban area that is densely occupied and has a low level of risk awareness.

Alfredo Ollero Ojeda

Occupied rivers: river space in restoration and risk management

Human occupation of rivers has increased significantly over the 20th century, both directly (through the consumption of fluvial space) and indirectly (through regulation, domestication, narrowing, and simplification of river systems). Land-use management has failed, leading to a progressive increase in maladaptation to floods and inundations and, consequently, in risk. Today, river restoration is proposed as a fundamental strategy for risk mitigation, particularly through the recovery of fluvial territory as a key measure, with some interesting examples already available. Fluvial space is a necessity, and achieving it is a challenge, especially in urban areas. The search for a shared, adapted, and resilient fluvial territory is therefore essential.

  • Authorities from the Spanish and Portuguese State Administration as well as regional and local representatives.
  • Lluís Godé Lanao, President of the Iberian Centre for River Restoration (CIREF).
  • Chris Baker, Director of Wetlands International Europe.
Duero Room: AT2: Restoration of the structure and function of river ecosystems
Moderator: Francesc Sabater (University of Barcelona)
  • 11:15 – 11:30: New tools and databases for modeling river mesohabitats. Vezza, Paolo et al.
  • 11:30 – 11:45: Environmental restoration of the surroundings of the Bellús reservoir. Piñol Gómez, Belén et al.
  • 11:45 – 12:00: MacroSek Project: advances towards molecular biomonitoring in Iberian river ecosystems. Sánchez, Omar et al.
  • 12:00 – 12:15: Ecological restoration in the Segura Hydrographic Basin: recovery of the riparian forest and control of Arundo donax in 85 km of river. Lafuente Sacristán, Eduardo et al.
Ucero Room: AT4: Challenges of river restoration in urban environments
Moderator: Francisco Martínez (Polytechnic University of Valencia)
  • 11:15 – 11:30: Renaturalization of the Albarregas stream as it passes through the urban center of Mérida (Badajoz). Calvillo Ruiz, Alejandro et al.
  • 11:30 – 11:45: Renaturalization Project of the Guadarrama River and Arroyo de la Poveda as it passes through the Municipal District of Collado Villalba (Madrid). Guillermo Tardío Cerrillo et al.
  • 11:45 – 12:00: Rehabilitation and valorization of the interior rivers of the Baião Council: Integrated Strategies of Natural Engineering and Habitats Management. Borges, Luísa et al.
  • 12:00 – 12:15: Intercetor System for the Prevention and Protection of Cheias and Floods in Esposende. Abreu, Rui (P. Teiga) et al.
Abión Room: AT6 and AT5: Governance strategies, environmental education, participation and communication for river restoration
Moderator: Teresa Gil (WWF Spain)
  • 11:15 – 11:30: Life Ebro Resilience P1. Practical case of communication in river restoration. Mohedano Albalate, María et al.
  • 11:30 – 11:45: River restoration, obstacles to cognitive connectivity. Cuello Gijón, Agustín et al.
  • 11:45 – 12:00: Reconnect Rivers with the Help of Citizen Science. Baratech Sánchez, Adela et al.
  • 12:00 – 12:15: Recovery of channels after DANA: challenges, problems and lessons learned. Piñol Gómez, Belén et al.
Laguna Negra Room: AT1: Restoration of the fluvial space, flow and solid load
Moderator: Francisco Núñez (Polytechnic University of Catalonia)
  • 11:15 – 11:30: Recovery of river space and solid load in channels affected by reservoirs. Case of the Ribarroja reservoir. Cobos, Guillermo et al.
  • 11:30 – 11:45: Reduction of flood risk and environmental improvement through the permeabilization of large masses of sediment in the middle section of the Ebro River. García Suikkanen, Carolina et al.
  • 11:45 – 12:00: Study of Sediment Transport in the Lower Course of the Ebro River During Controlled Floods. Vela Plaza, Cristina et al.
  • 12:00 – 12:15: Hydraulic studies for the recovery of the Manzanares-Gavia-Bulera river ecosystem. Green and blue infrastructure of the Madrid Metropolitan Forest. López-Gómez, David et al.
Duero Room: AT2: Restoration of the structure and function of river ecosystems  

Moderator: Rosa Gurí (Centre d´Estudis dels Rius Mediterranis, Universitat de Vic- Universitat Central de Catalunya)

  • 12:20 – 12:35: Descending movements of fish fauna in hydraulic infrastructures: problems, evaluation and possible solutions. Bravo-Córdoba, F.J. et al.
  • 12:35 – 12:50: Use of DNA-based techniques for river biomonitoring: Why the ecological status inferred with molecular data cannot be equated without prior recalibration of the indices. Fueyo, Álvaro et al.
  • 12:50 – 13:05: Digitalization and active management as tools for the management and optimization of fish passages. Sanz-Ronda, Francisco Javier et al.
  • 13:05 – 13:20: Integrated modeling of water quality under landscape and biological pressures. Villar Rúa, Sofía et al.
  • 13:20 – 13:35: Conservation of dead wood in river environments. Marchiaro Di Pietro, Roberto Francisco et al.
Ucero Room: AT3 and AT4: River restoration experiences through nature-based solutions and Challenges of river restoration in urban environments

Moderator: Carles Ferrer (Polytechnic University of Catalonia)

  • 12:20 – 12:35: Environmental improvement and construction of a lamination pond in the Sant Cugat stream, PDU of Parc de l’Alba in Cerdanyola del Vallès. Mota Freixas, B. et al.
  • 12:35 – 12:50: Treatment of water from the first flush of urban runoff with nature-based bioremediation systems. Löchner Prats, A et al.
  • 12:50 – 13:05: Examples of impact management of WWTP effluents on Mediterranean rivers through artificial ecosystems. Sorolla, Albert et al.
  • 13:05 – 13:20: The Fluvial Corridor of the East River in the City of Braga — The Reversal of Artificialization of the Natural Management of Cheias. Teiga, Pedro et al.
  • 13:20 – 13:35: Project for the exploitation, restoration and creation of a natural area in the «Old Meander» of the Fluvià River (Girona). Prado Rionda, Belen et al.
Abión Room: AT6 and AT5: Governance strategies, environmental education, participation and communication for river restoration

Moderator: Diana Fernandes (E.RIO; CIREF)

  • 12:20 – 12:35: Territorial agreement of the Quípar Valley (Region of Murcia): A participatory process for the health of the soil, water and territory. Quarta, Silvia et al.
  • 12:35 – 12:50: AUR Palancia: a successful and replicable collaborative governance model. Rodríguez, César et al.
  • 12:50 – 13:05: Urban river education. The tributaries of the Monelos River as learning resources. Nnechachi Bounous, Amal et al.
  • 13:05 – 13:20: One river, four municipalities: the Leça River Corridor as a living government laboratory for river restoration. Branco, Artur et al.
  • 13:20 – 13:35: The elimination of obsolete barriers in rivers as an opportunity to improve river governance: the case of the Ega River. Gina Sorolla, Gina et al.
Laguna Negra Room: AT1: Restoration of the fluvial space, flow and solid load

Moderator: Horacio García (University of Santiago de Compostela)

    • 12:20 – 12:35: The Ebro is still moving: Evolution of the active channel in the Sotos y Galachos del Ebro Directed Natural Reserve (Zaragoza) in the last century. Granado García, David et al.
    • 12:35 – 12:50: Solutions to the flooding of the Estepona River in the urban area of ​​Bakio (Bizkaia). Sangalli, Paola et al.
    • 12:50 – 13:05: Restoration of the Huerva River in the urban section of Zaragoza. Boné Puyo, Pedro et al.
    • 13:05 – 13:20: Sedimentary Dynamics in the Douro River Basin: Management and Preservation of the Fluvial System. Ferreira, Mafalda et al.
    • 13:20 – 13:35: Evolution and anthropogenic impacts in braided rivers of the Ebro basin: Aurín River, Aragonese Pyrenees. García Rodríguez, Saioa et al.

Moderated by: Gaizka Aranguren

Joshua Elso

Eliminate obstacles: more than just adding kilometers of free rivers

The removal of barriers is a key tool for river restoration promoted by the Nature Restoration Regulation, which aims to restore fluvial connectivity in all three dimensions (lateral, vertical, and longitudinal). This requires strategic planning focused on restoring natural processes, ensuring functional, resilient, and biodiverse rivers. However, these aspects are often overlooked, and a reductionist approach is applied, focused on counting the number of kilometres reconnected, often accompanied by engineering works that stabilize the channel and block natural processes. This compromises the functionality and resilience of the river system without enabling its ecological recovery. Therefore, experiences where the principles of the Regulation have been properly integrated will be reviewed, such as projects carried out on the Aragón, Órbigo, and Ebro rivers, where the removal of longitudinal barriers restored floodplains, increasing habitat diversity and improving flood attenuation; projects such as Soto de Tetones or LIFE Duero, which enhanced vertical connectivity by recharging aquifers; and the removal of transverse barriers in the Bidasoa, Nivelle, and Leitzaran rivers, where not only fish migration was improved, but also sediment transport, water thermal quality, and habitat recovery.

Moderator: Joserra Diez (University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea), Evelyn García (Catalan Water Agency)

  • 15:45 – 15:47: Citizen awareness for monitoring climate change in the Fluvial Natural Reserve of the Guadarranque River (Guadiana Basin). Freixinet Asensio, Beatriz et al.
  • 15:47 – 15:49: Mira Guards: River Care and Regeneration Network. Coutinho, Diogo et al.
  • 15:49 – 15:51: The Riparia Assembly as a forum for restoration: potentialities and challenges in a modernized irrigation ditch. Llausàs Pascual, Albert et al.
  • 15:51 – 15:53: Ecological restoration of the Gafos River, Pontevedra. CALCO Territorio y Urbanismo et al.
  • 15:53 ​​– 15:55: Strategy for fish farming restoration of dammed waters in Extremadura. Esteban Simón-Talero, César et al.
  • 3:55 p.m. – 3:57 p.m.: Drafting process for the Obstacle Permeation Plan for the Euskadi river network. Citores Martinez, Iñigo et al.
  • 15:57 – 15:59: Integration and updating of data on artificial river barriers in mainland Spain in a new database. Izeta-Zalduendo, Lide et al.
  • 15:59 – 16:01: Early detection and management of Azolla filiculoides in the Alagón River: an approach for the protection of Priority Habitat 91E0*. Palomo, Miryam et al.
  • 16:01 – 16:03: Environmental Education Program associated with the recovery of the riparian forest and control of common reed in the Segura River. Pina Mingorance, Virginia et al.
  • 16:03 – 16:05: Meat for the mincer: hydroelectric plants and downward migration of fish in Cantabrian rivers. Sanz-Ronda, F.J. et al.
  • 16:05 – 16:07: Riberes del Ter river custody project. Environmental restoration actions of the middle section of the Ter River in Osona (2009 – 2025). Sellarès, Núria et al.
  • 16:07 – 16:09: Restoration of the riparian forest in a bend of the Jarama River, Seseña (Toledo). Acosta Gallo, Cristina et al.
  • 16:09 – 16:11: Reflection on communication in river restoration. Choker Cañero, David et al.
  • 16:11 – 16:13: Is the demolition of dams in Spain restoring our rivers? Hernandez-Marchena, Raul et al.
  • 16:13 – 16:15: Morphosedimentary study and proposal for sediment management measures in the basins of the Tocenaque and Camarenilla streams in the municipalities of Yuncler and Arcicóllar (Toledo). Aroca Jimenez, Estefanía et al.
  • 16:15 – 16:17: Demolition of homes as a management measure for flood-prone areas (Ontinyent, Valencia). Rodríguez Vila, Almudena et al.
  • 16:17 – 16:19: Fish in Broken Rivers: Rethinking barrier passability and connectivity. Franco García, Alba et al.
  • 16:19 – 16:21: 2D hydraulic modeling based on high-density LiDAR mapping to evaluate the effect of riparian vegetation on flood dynamics during the restoration of the Segura River. Lafuente Sacristán, Eduardo et al.
  • 16:21 – 16:23: Rehabilitate from the processes: Functional flows to reactivate the sedimentary dynamics of the middle section of the Guadalope River. Tena, Álvaro et al.
  • 16:23 – 16:25: Diagnosis of the hydromorphological state in rivers in the Ebro basin and its relationship with pressures and biological indicators. Sanmartín Mancho, Sergio et al.
  • 16:25 – 16:27: Strategy proposal to promote longitudinal connectivity and conservation of fish fauna in the Guadalquivir. From Miguel Rubio, Ramón J. et al.

Moderated by: Gaizka Aranguren

Juan Pedro Martín Vide,

Flow, solid head and river plain space, seen by hydraulics

This presentation essentially addresses how hydraulics explains discharge, velocity, and water level (and therefore roughness, with and without vegetation) under steady flow conditions, as well as how it explains flow attenuation under unsteady conditions, thanks to floodable areas in floodplains (what do Nature-Based Solutions really mean, and are retention basins being overused?). It will also cover criteria for good hydraulic engineering in river interventions (respecting the main channel and avoiding the reduction of floodplains), as well as the effects of reducing river width, which involves sediment transport.

Moderator: Josu Elso (OREKAN-Environmental Management of Navarra), Camila Kuncar (CIREF)

  • 17:45 – 17:47: Construction of a passage for fish fauna at the Pina dam (Ebro River). Chopo Prieto, Samuel et al.
  • 17:47 – 17:49: Studies aimed at the adaptation and recovery of forests affected by the decline of the alder in the Miño-Sil demarcation.
    Bueno Gómez, Jose Carlos et al.
  • 17:49 – 17:51: RestaurAlcúdia: Restoration of the wetlands of the ecological corridor of the Bay of Alcudia (Mallorca). Gil Gil, Teresa et al.
  • 17:51 – 17:53: Exchange of good practices for water governance at the municipal level. Tomàs Pons, Sales et al.
  • 17:53 – 17:55: “It's complicated”: Participatory post-flood restoration of the Sot River (Valencia). Hommes, Lena et al.
  • 17:55 – 17:57: Spongeworks: Sponge actions to reduce runoff and improve infiltration in the Magro and Poyo basins. Real Llanderal, Emilio et al.
  • 17:57 – 17:59: 10 years of river natural reserves. General balance of the management measures implemented in intercommunity basins. Sánchez Martínez, Francisco Javier et al.
  • 17:59 – 18:01: Design tools for urban river spaces – Rímac River special landscape project. Sierra Lopinta, Hans Wilbert et al.
  • 18:01 – 18:03: Sociocultural dimensions of fluvial restoration in Spain. Alibio, Aura Campos et al.
  • 18:03 – 18:05: Habialvão: The case of the Olo river. Martinho, António et al.
  • 18:05 – 18:07: Recovery of geomorphological dynamics after the elimination of transversal obstacles: experiences in different basins. Ibisate, Askoa et al.
  • 18:07 – 18:09: Morphodynamic model to analyze the effects on the channel of logs perpendicular to the current. Faúndez Sepulveda, Manuel et al.
  • 18:09 – 18:11: Study of the vegetation after a bioengineering action in the Nalón River (Asturias, Spain). Fernández-García, María et al.
  • 18:11 – 18:13: Proposal for river restoration in the upper basin of Aragon: the Ijuez River. Vettore, Francesca et al.
  • 18:13 – 18:15: Calculation of ecosystem service indicators in the project «Recovery of the Manzanares-Gavia-Bulera river ecosystem.” Díaz Redondo, María et al.
  • 18:15 – 18:17: Restoration of river connectivity in the Ebro basin: progress in EBRO FLUYE and RNF. Rodríguez Pérez, Cristina et al.
  • 18:17 – 18:19: Improvement of river connectivity in the Bembibre weir. Armas Mouriño, Rafael et al.
  • 18:19 – 18:21: Connecting rivers and alluvial terraces: restoration efforts to improve lateral connectivity. García, Evelyn et al.
  • 18:21 – 18:23: Conceptual framework for the integration of nature-based solutions in urban river flood risk management. Núñez-González, Francisco et al.
  • 18:23 – 18:25: Improvement of the longitudinal continuity of the Guadiana River as it passes through the Villagonzalo area after the demolition and elimination of the well-known Badén de Valverde. Cifuentes de la Cerra, Nicolas et al.
  • 18:25 – 18:27: Riato Project: Communication and social participation strategy for the elimination of an unused weir (Community of Madrid). Nieto, María Ángeles et al.
  • 18:27 – 18:29: Costs and Benefits of Restoring River Connectivity across Europe. Rodeles, Amaia A. et al.
  • 18:29 – 18:31: Recovery of river habitats based on collaboration protocols between local entities and the Basque Water Agency. Moreno Martínez, Sonia et al.
  • 18:31 – 18:33: Natural engineering solutions in the management of rivers in Esposende and Braga. Baltazar, Filipe et al.
  • 18:33 – 18:35: Alterations in sediment connectivity in a Cantabrian basin: Urola. Sáenz de Olazagoitia, Ana et al.
  • 18:35 – 18:37: Proposal for protection and restoration for the middle Ebro in perspective 2050. Ollero, Alfredo et al.
Place: Palace Theater of the Audiencia of Soria

Venue: Palace Theater of the Audiencia of Soria

11

JUNE

Moderator: Cristina Lobera (CIREF), Carles Ferrer (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)
  • 9:00 – 9:02: Geomorphological criteria for the recovery of a secondary channel in the braided channel of the Saja River in Terán (Cantabria). Fernández-Iglesias, Elena et al.
  • 9:02 – 9:04: Restoration of the El Señorío meander in the Ebro River in Castejón, Navarra, within the framework of the LIFE EBRO RESILIENCE P1 Project. Zaragüeta Arrizabalaga, Eva et al.
  • 9:04 – 9:06: Natural Water Retention to reduce peak flows and increase infiltration in the Ramabujas Stream basin (Tagus River basin, Spain). de Bijl, Jos et al.
  • 9:06 – 9:08: Recovery of the Bolue wetland in the municipality of Getxo. Perez De Lastra Añibarro, Ander et al.
  • 9:08 – 9:10: Weir Demolition Methodology in River Restoration: Application in the Ventura or La Muña mill weir, Navafría (Segovia) – Cega River. Fernández García, Roberto et al.
  • 9:10 – 9:12: Analysis of the bio-hydromorphological response to the elimination of two transversal obstacles in the Lozoya River. Brizuela Carballo, Mario et al.
  • 9:12 – 9:14: From river to irrigation infrastructure: challenges of the restoration of the Riu dels Sants. García Mollá, Marta et al.
  • 9:14 – 9:16: The control of Arundo donax and the renaturalization of ravines in island territories. The case of La Gomera. Parada-Díaz, Jesús et al.
  • 9:16 – 9:18: Prioritization of river sections to restore in Doñana. Hermoso, Virgilio et al.
  • 9:18 – 9:20: Non-invasive diagnosis of the barrier effect of dams in river ecosystems: The case of the Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) in the “AQUAMAM” project. Herresánchez, Christian et al.
  • 9:20 – 9:22: Ecological flows in the Tagus River: are they enough to improve its ecological status? García de Jalón, Diego et al.
  • 9:22 – 9:24: Walkingrivers is a simple act with a transformative impact. De Stefano, Lucía et al.
  • 9:24 – 9:26: Sponge Territories as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and their role in Hydrological Restoration. Case study in the peat bogs of the Serra do Xistral. Stachnik Pérez, Aniela et al.
  • 9:26 – 9:28: Rio Almonda… Um Laboratório Vivo. Silva, Patrícia et al.
  • 9:28 – 9:30: Spain smells like garlic: an ecosystem vision of transversal drainage works (ODT) in the Iberian area. Rodríguez Muñoz, Ignacio et al.
  • 9:30 – 9:32: Restoration of the Illa d’Avall meander: ecological regeneration and morphodynamic reactivation in the Baix Ter (Girona). Herrero, Albert et al.
  • 9:32 – 9:34: Restoring thermal refuges in rivers towards climate resilience: a review. Mameri, Daniel et al.
  • 9:34 – 9:36: Learning through trial-error: techniques for the recovery of vegetation cover in temporary channels. Martínez-Saura, Carmen María et al.
  • 9:36 – 9:38: European beaver as an unexpected ally: redesigning restoration in Sotos del Tajo with Nature-based Solutions. Eladio L. García de la Morena et al.
  • 9:38 – 9:40: A poorly done restoration can be restored. Baeza Sanz, Domingo et al.
  • 9:40 – 9:42: Nature-Based Solutions for the Recovery of Aquatic Ecosystems. Cardoso Ferreira, Ana Carolina Martins et al.
  • 9:42 – 9:44: Agroecosystems as management tools for river territory. Puchalt Lacal, Jaume et al.
  • 9:44 – 9:46: Preparation of a geomorphological cartography of the Directed Natural Reserve of Los Sotos y Galachos del Ebro (Zaragoza) as a management instrument. Granado García, David et al.
  • 9:46 – 9:48: Comprehensive restoration of the Sar River: in search of a methodological framework at the basin scale. Noya-Juncal, María et al.
  • 9:48 – 9:50: National Nature Restoration Plan: Methodology for River Restoration and River Connectivity. Bravo, Nuno et al.
  • 9:50 – 9:52: Evaluation of the possible incision or accretion of the bed of the Sequillo River channeling. Baldero Echarren, Fernando et al.
  • 9:52 – 9:54: Update of the Atlas and Red Book of the continental fishes of Spain. Miranda, Rafael et al.
  • 9:54 – 9:56: Restitution of longitudinal connectivity in the Alto Arlanza: Ecohydraulic design of landfills for the permeabilization of transversal infrastructures in peri-urban sections. From María Arnaiz, Juan et al.
  • 9:56 – 9:58: Exploring the potential of sewage treatment plant effluents for the conservation of riverside communities. Casacuberta, Adrià et al.

Moderated by: Gaizka Aranguren

Nick Bouwes

Inspired by nature: Restoring riverscapes through process-based approaches.

Healthy riverscapes are streams and their valley bottoms that are highly resilient to disturbances such as drought, fire, and floods. They support complex aquatic and riparian habitats that disproportionately enhance species diversity and productivity, while providing critical ecosystem services including high water quality, water storage, moderation of extreme events, and forage for livestock. Human activities have extensively altered riverscapes, with one of the most common impairments being the loss of channel–floodplain connectivity due to channel straightening, levee construction, and removal of structural elements such as live vegetation, large wood, and beaver dams. As a result, many degraded streams rarely inundate their floodplains, reducing water storage, diminishing riparian vegetation, increasing stream temperatures, and simplifying habitat for fish, amphibians, birds, and other wildlife. Through restoration experiments, we have demonstrated that adding structures that mimic large wood and beaver dams can promote self-sustaining physical and ecological processes, leading to many of the benefits characteristic of healthy riverscapes. We refer to this approach as low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR). Because it relies on simple materials and natural processes rather than heavy engineering, LTPBR offers a cost-effective and scalable strategy to address widespread riverscape degradation.

Moderator: Gaizka Aranguren

Ignacio Rodriguez

Some ideas and reflections on the governance of river restoration

River restoration is a field of knowledge that, in the European context and with some exceptions, is relatively recent. Moreover, rivers are highly complex systems that are difficult to understand, which is why we are still in an early stage in addressing these issues.

Despite these limitations, over the past 20 years, following the Water Framework Directive, a growing body of knowledge has been developed and is gradually gaining consistency. Here, in the Spanish part of the Duero basin, some of us, in collaboration with others beyond the Duero, have devoted considerable effort and energy to these matters. We are increasingly gaining clarity, better distinguishing what river restoration is and, above all, what it is not, when it should be carried out, and who should be responsible for it.

This presentation focuses on that: attempting to understand some of the intricacies of river restoration, while also touching upon its supporting sciences, its engineering, its regulatory framework, and, most importantly, its sociology. In this regard, it should be noted that rivers are objects of interest for many individuals and groups with completely opposing interests. This leads to a wide variety of target visions, sometimes conflicting, which can at times compromise river restoration efforts or even prevent them altogether. This is where governance becomes crucial, as the effective implementation of river restoration requires strong commitment from public administrations, especially water authorities through river basin organizations.

inês Andrade

PRO~RIOS 2030: Integrated Government for river rehabilitation and restoration in Portugal

Rivers and streams are essential ecosystems, ensuring water supply, agricultural irrigation, economic and recreational activities, as well as the provision of fundamental environmental services and support for biodiversity. However, the degradation of their ecological status, resulting from human pressures and the intensification of climate change, compromises their functioning and increases the vulnerability of territories to extreme events such as floods and droughts.

Pollution, channel modification, fragmentation of fluvial continuity, the proliferation of invasive species, and the overexploitation of water resources have led to a loss of ecological quality and resilience in river systems. In this context, it is necessary to adopt an active approach to rehabilitation and ecological restoration, based on nature-based solutions, in order to restore ecological functions, reduce risks, and enhance territorial value.

PRO-RIOS 2030 represents the operational response to this challenge in mainland Portugal, promoting integrated, decentralized, and participatory governance. It is strongly oriented towards implementation, supported by effective institutional coordination, diversified funding mechanisms, and the promotion of functional river corridors as continuous green and blue infrastructure. The programme also incorporates integrated territorial instruments and advanced monitoring and digitalization solutions, strengthening transparency, oversight, and the effectiveness of interventions.

Moderator: Tony Herrera (Mediodes), Rui Botelho (Spea-Azores)
  • 12:15 – 12:17: How do passability estimates influence the calculation of river connectivity? Tedone, Gabriel et al.
  • 12:17 – 12:19: Subsidies for preparation and execution of barrier demolition projects – Open Rivers Programme. Pao Fernández Garrido et al.
  • 12:19 – 12:21: Works to eliminate specks, recovery of the channel and flood plain in a section of the Castrón River (Zamora). Fernández Arévalo, Pablo et al.
  • 12:21 – 12:23: The state viewer of river restoration projects. Aparicio Martín, Mónica et al.
  • 12:23 – 12:25: Back to Meandering: Restoring River Bends to Recover Lost Ecological Functions. Colls, Miriam et al.
  • 12:25 – 12:27: The administrative challenges faced by river restoration projects promoted by civil society: the case of the Tajuña River. Kuncar, Camila et al.
  • 12:27 – 12:29: Flow refuges as mitigation and monitoring tools for hydropeaking impacts in rivers: insights from the EcoPeak4Fish project. Costa, Maria João et al.
  • 12:29 – 12:31: Actions to improve river continuity within the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation. Cifuentes de la Cerra, Nicolas et al.
  • 12:31 – 12:33: CINCA REVIVE is now a reality: restoration of the river ecosystem of the Cinca River and reduction of the risk of flooding in the urban environment of Fraga (Huesca). Lastrada Marcén, Eduardo et al.
  • 12:33 – 12:35: Hydrological alteration in regulated sections of the Irati River (Navarra) on two time scales and hypotheses on the ecological response. Martínez-Capel, Francisco et al.
  • 12:35 – 12:37: Inventory of Morphological Alterations of the Ebro basin. IDAM-Ebro. Illana Rangel, Sara et al.
  • 12:37 – 12:39: BlauCat: Promoting and combining research, policies and grassroots initiatives to restore Catalan coastal wetlands. Vives-Ingla, Maria et al.
  • 12:39 – 12:41: Knowledge transfer for environmental governance. Marín-Puig, Anna et al.
  • 12:41 – 12:43: School of rivers – a school for the valorization of water lines. Silva, Joana et al.
  • 12:43 – 12:45: Integrated Monitoring of Turfeiras Restoration: Endorsing Water Functions and Biodiversity in the Planalto dos Graminhais, Açores. Costa, Tarso et al.
  • 12:45 – 12:47: Restoring is also educating: creative educational strategies in river restoration projects in the Guadiana basin. Rueda Cano, Patricia et al.
  • 12:47 – 12:49: The nature-based solutions of the LIFE EBRO RESILIENCE P1 Project. Garza Merino, Tatiana et al.
  • 12:49 – 12:51: Hydrosedimentary imbalance and fluvial rehabilitation in Mediterranean rivers: RIVHS Project. Llena, Manel et al.
  • 12:51 – 12:53: Restoring rivers by removing physical, social and psychological barriers. Elosegi, Arturo et al.
  • 12:53 – 12:55: Study of sediment transport in the Huerva River in the urban section of Zaragoza. García Lagranja, Juan Miguel et al.
  • 12:55 – 12:57: Guard the Rivers of Granada. Renaturalization and environmental participation project in the Genil, Cubillas and Guadalfeo rivers. Pereira Zapata, Mª Almudena et al.
  • 12:57 – 12:59: On the way to the Restoration of the Alviela River: better ecological connectivity through the removal of obsolete waters. Vaz de Figueiredo, Lígia et al.
  • 12:59 – 13:01: From data to restoration: automated characterization of the riparian forest with GIS. Cubero Suárez, Lucía et al.
  • 13:01 – 13:03: Recovery of the hydraulic operation of the alluvial fan of the Arroyo del Partido in Doñana. Lluch Peñalver, Juan et al.
  • 13:03 – 13:05: Three axes for comprehensive governance of the blue infrastructure of the Manzanares-Gavia-Bulera river ecosystem. Bravo Rubio, Raquel et al.
  • 13:05 – 13:07: Building flood resilience in the Mediterranean through collaborative water governance and nature-based solutions. Soria, Maria et al.
  • 13:07 – 13:09: Long-Term Evaluation of NEPTUN Electric Barriers for Fish Protection During Upstream and Downstream Migration. Niezabitowski Krzysztof, Zioła Sabina et al.
  • 13:09 – 13:11: Community Engagement and the Resignification of Dam Removal: A Focus on the Alviela River, Portugal. Miranda, Ana Catarina et al.
  • 13:11 – 13:13: Pilot restoration based on bioengineering to improve fluvial self-purification and the quality of the riparian system of a stream receiving WWTP effluents. Vallez, Anne et al.

Moderated by: Gaizka Aranguren

Pedro Teiga

26 years of public participation and community involvement in river rehabilitation in Portugal — learnings and challenges

Anchored in a constitutional duty, public participation constitutes a fundamental strategic tool in river rehabilitation, ensuring that technical intervention is grounded in community acceptance and knowledge. To achieve this, the practice must evolve from a merely formal public consultation role into a continuous, multi-sectoral process of social learning and active engagement, flowing in symbiosis with ecosystem regeneration and transforming political and technical decision-making into active citizenship. This approach ensures informed decisions and the construction of a shared vision embraced by citizens, allowing the outcomes of river rehabilitation to transcend the initial intervention and consolidate over time. Everyone learning so that everyone can manage.

The presentation analyses the trajectory of this practice in Portugal over the past two decades, drawing on direct experience in mediation and public engagement. Based on this accumulated experience, it reflects on overcoming structural barriers and building pathways for reconciliation grounded in empathy, transparency, knowledge sharing, and literacy. In this perspective, rivers emerge as catalysts for a sustainable society, acting as a natural bridge and a fundamental link of harmony between people and between people and Nature.

Alba Ballester

Learning to inhabit conflict in river restoration and flood risk management

The increase in flood damage in recent decades, together with projections of more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change, makes it necessary to identify a flood management model capable of effectively responding to this evolving scenario. Various international directives, regulations, and agreements are incorporating river restoration, and in particular nature-based solutions, as a key element in shifting flood risk management approaches. However, the implementation of these measures generates diverse opinions and entails social, economic, and emotional impacts, which inevitably lead to the emergence or intensification of conflicts among stakeholders. These conflicts become the main obstacle to the effective implementation of river restoration processes aimed at flood risk mitigation. This presentation analyses the experience of public participation and capacity building developed within the LIFE Ebro Resilience P1 Project, focusing on lessons learned for conflict prevention, management, and transformation. Embracing conflict allows for a deeper understanding of power dynamics and their impacts, helps identify moments of greatest tension and resolution, fosters trust, and supports the transformation of entrenched dynamics.

Duero Room: AT2: Restoration of the structure and function of river ecosystems
Moderator: Anna Pedescoll (Icthios)
  • 15:55 – 16:10: Restoration of the structure and function of river ecosystems in the context of the Life Alnus Taejo project. Demolition of obsolete barriers. Baena, Jesús et al.
  • 16:10 – 16:25: Principles for the fish farming passability of natural bathing areas. López Quintales, Seila et al.
  • 16:25 – 16:40: Assessment of river biodiversity using environmental DNA during the rehabilitation and renaturalization of the Piles and Peñafrancia rivers (PILES NATURAL). Coya, Ruth et al.
  • 16:40 – 16:55: Recovering the river network in the raña of the Cabañeros National Park. Francisco M. Cortés et al.
  • 16:55 – 17:10: Evaluation of the effect of reconnecting a lateral branch of the Ter River (NE Catalonia) on the fish farming community. Guri Florensa, Rosa et al.
  • 17:10 – 17:25: Calculation of indicators of the Project to improve biodiversity through [hydromorphological] landscape restoration and participation actions in the environment of the Huerva River (BIREPAPAH). Otal Laín, Irene et al.
Sala Ucero: AT3: River restoration experiences through nature-based solutions
Moderator: Cristina Buendía (Catalan Water Agency)
  • 15:55 – 16:10: Application of bioengineering techniques in river restoration actions in the Nalón River (Asturias): justification, description and environmental monitoring of three cases. Álvarez Pardo, Elías et al.
  • 16:10 – 16:25: Towards a prioritization methodology for eliminating transversal barriers based on their administrative situation. Domingo Comeche, Irene et al.
  • 16:25 – 16:40: Nature-based solutions: reconnect the Zapardiel River with its floodplain to reduce flood risk. Marcos Primo, Carlos et al.
  • 16:40 – 16:55: Modeling, key to the application of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the sustainable management of barriers and their sediments. Iguzquiza, Jorge et al.
  • 16:55 – 17:10: Recovery of Turfeiras in the Azores – Experiences and Learning. Botelho, Rui et al.
  • 17:10 – 17:25: Bioengineering on the right bank of the Manzanares River at the height of the Abroñigales storm tank spillway. De La Paz Cobos, Elena et al.
Abión Room: AT5: Governance strategies for river restoration
Moderator: Teresa Zuna (independent consultant)
  • 15:55 – 16:10: Case analysis method for river recovery: learning and application to the middle course of the Tagus River (Spain). Urquiaga, Raúl; Larraz, Beatriz.
  • 16:10 – 16:25: Water, industry and environmental evaluation: the “ALTRI case” in the Ulla river basin. García, Horacio et al.
  • 16:25 – 16:40: The inventory of public channels: a fundamental tool for river restoration. Rodríguez Cuenca, Borja et al.
  • 16:40 – 16:55: The Rio Contract as an instrument of multilevel governance: learnings from the Guadalete pilot experience. Figueroa Abrio, Antonio et al.
  • 16:55 – 17:10: ”Snaking with a lugubre whisper”: river and river restoration interventions in Parque das Serras do Porto (Portugal).Ferreira, Juliano et al.
  • 17:10 – 17:25: Some questions, ideas and reflections on sediment management in general with examples from the Spanish part of the Duero basin. Rodríguez Muñoz, Ignacio et al.
Laguna Negra Room: AT1: Restoration of the fluvial space, flow and solid load
Moderator: Askoa Ibisate (University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea)
  • 15:55 – 16:10: Development of a Flood Early Warning System based on artificial intelligence for the Zapardiel River. Navas, Julián et al.
  • 16:10 – 16:25: Hydrological history of the middle section of the Tagus: data for its restoration. García de Jalón, Diego et al.
  • 16:25 – 16:40: Chain restorations in the Congost River, keys to an urban river restoration program. Romero Hidalgo, Xavier et al.
  • 16:40 – 16:55: Challenges in the restoration of contaminated rivers: the historical case of Lerma-Santiago, Mexico. Arellano-Aguilar, Omar et al.
  • 16:55 – 17:10: Rehabilitation and longitudinal permeabilization of the “Acea de Olga” weir in the Miño River (Lugo). From Anta Montero, Alberto et al.
  • 17:10 – 17:25: Vivillo Meander and integration of the Segura River and La Huerta into the green infrastructure of the Municipality of Murcia. Navarro Corchón, Antonio Javier et al.

Moderated by: María García de la Fuente – President Association of Environmental Information Journalists (APIA)

Guests: 

  • Marc Santandreu, RTVE
  • Francisco Espejo, Insurance Compensation Consortium
  • Diana Martín, Duero Hydrographic Confederation
  • Lluís Godé, Iberian River Restoration Center
Place: Convent of San Francisco, Soria.

12

JUNE

Short technical visit (Ucero River) – 9 a 14h: The visit will focus on lateral connectivity actions along a middle stretch of the river, which was straightened and dredged in the past. The goal of these interventions is twofold: on one hand, to recover river space and habitat; on the other, to restore the flood-lamination capacity to protect riverside communities. During the visit, participants will be able to observe the 'before, during, and after' of these actions.

Long technical visit (Ucero and Abión Rivers) – 9 a 17h: This visit includes all the content of the short tour, plus a longitudinal connectivity action on the Abión River, near its source at La Fuentona de Muriel, in an area of great natural beauty. The project involves the removal of an impassable weir that previously served an abandoned fish farm. Includes an outdoor snack/aperitif.

MORE INFORMATION

WHERE

Palace of the Audience Theater
Pza. Mayor, s/n. C.P.: 42071 Soria

More information:

info@restaurarios.es