Title of the project
NL2120: Modelling the behaviour of river bed dynamics to support Nature-based solutions
Type
PhD research
Duration
2025 – 2029
Persons involved
R.E. Medina Ormachea (PhD candidate)
prof.dr. S.J.M.H. Hulscher (Promotor)
dr. J.J. Warmink (Co-promotor / Daily supervisor)
dr. B. Bogatinoska (Co-supervisor)
Funding of the project
The project is funded by the National Growth Fund, submitted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, as part of the NL2120 program
Summary of the research
River systems are being increasingly pressured by ecological degradation and socio-economic challenges due to a changing climate. Increasing high and low flow conditions have impacted navigability and flood safety in the Netherlands. Traditional river bed maintenance practices that support these functions often disrupt aquatic ecosystems and constrain the river’s natural dynamics. An integrated approach is needed to design river engineering measures that benefit both people and nature by embracing the natural hydro-morphological processes. To this end, the NL2120 project aims at developing knowledge that supports the large-scale realization of Nature-based Solutions.
This research develops a modelling tool to simulate the evolution of the river bed and supports the upscaling of Nature-based Solutions. Key hydro-morphological parameters will be identified to assess river engineering measures, considering both the ecological and socio-economic system. Based on these objective parameters, a numerical model will be developed to predict the evolution of the river bed (e.g., river dunes, scour holes) under both high and low flow conditions. This numerical model will be used to design and quantify the effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions (e.g. side channels, sediment nourishment, river widening) compared to traditional engineering measures, including the response to increasing high and low flow extremes.
Keywords
River bed dynamics, river morphodynamics, numerical modelling, nature-based solutions, nature-based solutions upscaling
More information
Renzo Medina
Room Horst W215
renzo.medina@utwente.nl