Guide - Tools for watercourse planning: Guide to optimising watercourse development planning

Despite extensive measures and funding, over 80% of watercourses have not achieved the targets set out in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) since 2000. To achieve greater success in watercourse development planning, the guide presented here aims to help optimize planning with regard to model, substrate, width variance, and flow dynamics. The positive example of the measures taken in Steinau/Büchen (watercourse type 16) shows that specific geometries are responsible for good ecological status, target invertebrate species, and their habitat conditions. The guide shows the necessary steps in the planning process using simple “tools.” Complex hydronumerical modeling is not necessary for model-compliant habitat conditions. A checklist is used for internal and external quality control of planning documents.