Switzerland has the legal goal and the financial tools to restore its rivers from the impacts of sediment deficits created by hundreds of hydropower plants, retention basins and other installations. This goal is challenging in practical and scientific aspects. Gravel augmentation measures are put into practice to improve the ecologic and morphologic state of the rivers. However, the dimensioning and implementation of these measures depend on the target state and the driving physical and ecological parameters for which there is little understanding today.

With this symposium, we aim to support the practical implementation of gravel augmentation measures in Switzerland through the presentation of case studies and the latest tools, techniques and strategies to improve bedload transport and its ecological functions. Experts in the field, whether they are scientists or practitioners, have the opportunity to learn from experiences of a remarkably active and pioneering restoration setting in Switzerland.

The symposium is intended for people working with the issue of bedload restoration and management. Practitioners, consultants, authorities, scientists, NGOs and students are all welcome to participate.

The presentations will be made in French, German or English and will be simultaneously translated.

It is possible to attend individual days of the three-day symposium. It is also possible to follow the talks in the morning online. However, the small group discussions in the afternoons and the excursion are on-site only.

Participation on site (limited to 100 participants) is possible for everyone who has been tested, recovered or vaccinated and can prove this by means of a Covid certificate.