Sustainable River Management

Uncertainties about climate change consequences, changing societal requirements and system complexity require flood protection asset managers to continuously evaluate their asset management policies and practice to manage risk and improve the resilience of their assets. With our systematic approach on asset management we ensure that throughout the whole life cycle of an asset the investment costs, the performance achieved and the risks faced are balanced. 

Flood defences are an integral part of modern society. With changing climatic conditions and a growing population, reliable flood defences are becoming increasingly more important. Within SRM, we research all phases of primary and secondary flood defences, both nationally and internationally.

Floodplains along the major rivers play a vital role in reducing flood risks during high water levels. Integral management of floodplains is important for both safety and ecology. SRM focuses on sustainable and integrated management and restoration of healthy floodplain ecosystems.

Floodplains along the major rivers play a vital role in reducing flood risks during high water levels. Integral management of floodplains is important for both safety and ecology. SRM focuses on sustainable and integrated management and restoration of healthy floodplain ecosystems.

Inland shipping covers 30% in Dutch freight transport and fulfils a significant logistic function. Ships are relatively inexpensive, do not cause traffic jams and have a smaller carbon footprint than trucks. However, the reliability of inland navigation depends on climatic conditions. Droughts causes ships to carry less cargo and even too shallow thresholds. To avoid extra pressure on roads and associated effects, SRM researches stress conditions on rivers.

The changing climate has major consequences for our water systems. Peak discharges, heat waves and longer periods of drought are becoming increasingly more common. This causes uncertainty for the management of our water supply and protection. Within SRM we focus on improving the resilience of our major rivers and flood defences.

Plastics have become an integral part of modern society due to their useful material properties. However, the advance of plastic in the past century also has a downside: plastic waste is found all over the world. SRM leads research projects on the practical removal and recycling of waste plastic from rivers and their role in the circular economy.