Abstract
The Rhône is a large river of Western industrialized Europe and flows southerly from the Furka Glacier of the Swiss Alps to the Mediterranean Sea. The valley and the alluvial plain represent a complex history of fluvial change that started during the last deglaciation. Climate and land-use changes modified the balance of discharge and sediment, creating a diversity of fluvial patterns and floodplain landforms. The human perspective on Rhône River floodplains includes one of the communities threatened by floods during periods of low frequency high magnitude events, and channel and floodplain adjustment. Floodplain settlements coped with a constant risk from high-velocity floods, which were competent to cause destruction to property and agricultural lands. The complex history of floodplain construction and flood defence accounts for a maximum diversity of local to regional floodplain settings.
The modern development of the river has been undertaken to improve navigation, but has also impacted the Rhône River. The river metamorphosed from a braided to a sinuous single channel pattern, with consequent changes in the environment. The “improved” type of embanked floodplain promoted heavy overbank sedimentation. A second generation of human disturbance resulted from the construction of reservoirs, canals and power plants with a lasting legacy of specific fluvial impacts. Recent restoration and management actions include the reactivation of channel side arms and the removal of lateral embankments to widen the channel where it is by-passed a canal. Inherited local conditions are shown to be of major importance to modern restoration practices.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Amoros, C., & Roux, A.-L. (1988). Interactions between water bodies within the floodplain of large rivers: Function and development of connectivity. Münsterersche Geographische Arbeiten, 29, 125–130.
Amoros, C., Rostand, J. C., Pautou, G., & Bravard, J. P. (1987a). The reversible process concept applied to the environmental management of large river systems. Environmental Management, 11/5, 607–617.
Amoros, C., Reygrobellet, J. L., Bravard, J. P., Pautou, G., & Roux, A.-L. (1987b). A method for applied ecological studies of fluvial hydrosystems. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management, 1/1, 17–36.
Antonelli, C., et al. (2006). Suspended sediment and 137Cs fluxes during exceptional flood. Case study: The Rhône River (SE France) in December 2003. Geomorphology, 95(3–4), 350–360.
Arnaud-Fassetta, G. (2003). River channel changes in the Rhône delta (France) since the end of the Little Ice Age: Geomorphological adjustment to hydroclimatic change and natural resource management. Catena, 51, 141–172.
Arnaud-Fassetta, G., & Provansal, M. (1999). High frequency variations of water flux and sediment discharge during the Little Ice Age (1586–1725 AD) in the Rhône delta (Mediterranean France). Relationship to the catchment basin. Hydrobiologia, 410, 241–250.
Bravard, J.-P. (1986). Le Rhône, du Léman à Lyon. Lyon, La Manufacture.
Bravard, J.-P. (1994). La charge de fond du Haut-Rhône français, mise en perspective historique. Dossiers de la revue de Géographie Alpine, 12, 163–169.
Bravard, J.-P. (2010). Discontinuities in braided patterns: Rhône River from Geneva to the Camargue delta before river training. Geomorphology, 117, 217–233.
Bravard, J. P. (2011). Genealogy of the river “mobility space” concept, France. Theory and implementation aspects. In A. Ollejo (Coord.) et al. Restauracios, I Congresso de Restauracion Fluvial, Leon, 18–21 Oct. 2011, pp. 46–58. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/23665236/Actas_Congreso_Restaurios.pdf.
Bravard, J.-P., Roux, A.-L., Amoros, C., & Reygrobellet, J.-L. (1992). The Rhône River: A large alluvial temperate river. In P. Callow & G. Petts (Eds.), The river handbook (Vol. 1, pp. 426–447). Oxford: Blackwell.
Bravard, J.-P., Collilieux, G., Desmet, M., Fruchart, F., Motchalova, O., & Valé, N. (2008a). Widening by-passed reaches of the Rhône river following sediment deposition, France. Interdisciplinary studies and procedures. IVth ECRR Conference on River Restoration, Italy, Venice, S. Servolo Island, 16–21 June, pp. 953–964.
Bravard, J.-P., Provansal, M., Arnaud-Fassetta, G., Chabbert, S., Gaydou, P., Dufour, S., Richard, F., Valleteau, S., Melun, G., & Passy, P. (2008b). Un atlas du paléo-environnement de la plaine alluviale du Rhône de la frontière suisse à la mer. Chambéry, EDYTEM, Cahiers de Paléoenvironnement, 6, 101–116.
Buisje, A. D., Klijn, F., Leuven, R. S. E. W., Middelkoop, H., Schiemer, F., Thorp, J. H., & Wolfert, H. P. (2005). Rehabilitation of large rivers: References, achievements and integration into river management. Large Rivers, 15, 1–4, (Arch. Hydrobiolol. Suppl. 155/1–4, 715–738).
Busch, D., Schirmer, M., Schuchardt, B., & Ullrich, P. (1989). Historical changes of the River Weser. In G. Petts, H. Möller, & A.-L. Roux (Eds.), Historical change of large alluvial rivers. Western Europe (pp. 297–321). Chichester: Wiley.
Chapron, E., Arnaud, F., Noel, H., Revel, M., Desmet, M., & Perdereau, L. (2005). Rhone River flood deposits in Lake Le Bourget: A proxy for Holocene environmental changes in the NW Alps, France. Boreas, 34, 404–416 (Oslo).
Collilieux, G., Fruchart, F., & Bravard, J.-P. (2007). Réactivation de la dynamique fluviale sur les marges du Rhône. Coll. Société Hydrotechnique de France: Transports solides et gestion des sédiments en milieux naturels et urbains, Lyon, 28–29 Nov 2007, pp. 187–194.
Collilieux, G., Bravard, J.-P., Moiroud, C., & Doutriaux, E. (2010). The use of historical maps in the management of the “margins” of the Rhône River, France. The pilot case of a restoration project, Montélimar by-pass reach. In L. Federzoni & L. Masotti (Éds.), Il Paesaggio dei Technici. Attualità delle cartografia historica per il governo delle acque (pp. 191–203). Coll. Bologna, Cremona 2008, Marsilio, Venezia.
Combe, C. (2007). La ville endormie? Le risque d’inondation à Lyon. Approche géohistorique et systémique du risque de crue en milieu urbain et périurbain. Thèse de doctorat de géographie, aménagement et urbanisme, Université Lyon 2, 45 p.
Dister, E., Gomer, D., Obrdlik, P., Petermann, P., & Schneider, E. (1990). Water management and ecological perspectives of the Upper Rhine’s floodplains. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management, 5, 1–15.
Fruget, J.-F., & Michelot, J.-L. (2001). Biodiversity of the French River Rhône and its floodplain: Current state, historical changes, and restoration potential. In B. Gopal, W. J. Junk, & J. A. Davis (Eds.), Biodiversity in wetlands: Assessment, function and conservation (Vol. 2, pp. 1–28). Leyden: Backhuis Publication.
Girel, J., Garguet-Duport, B., & Pautou, G. (1997). Landscape structure and historical processes along dyked European valleys: A case study of the Arc/Isère confluence (Savoie, France). Environmental Management, 21(6), 891–907.
Habersack, H., & Piégay, H. (2007). River restoration in the Alps and their surroundings: Past experience and future challenges. In M. Rinaldi, H. Habersack, & H. Piégay (Eds.), Gravel bed rivers 6: From process understanding to the restoration of mountain rivers (pp. 3–38). Cambridge: Elsevier Science Publication.
Heiler, G., Hein, T., Schiemer, F., & Bornette, G. (1995). Hydrological connectivity and flood pulses as the central aspects for the integrity of river-floodplain system. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management, 11, 351–361.
Henry, C. P., Amoros, C., & Giuliani, Y. (1995). Restoration ecology of riverine wetlands: II. An example in a former channel of the Rhône River. Environmental Management, 19(6), 903–913.
Hohensinner, S., Habersack, H., Jungwirth, M., & Zauner, G. (2004). Reconstruction of the characteristics of a natural alluvial river–floodplain system and hydromorphological changes following human modifications: The Danube river (1812–1991). River Research and Applications, 20, 25–41.
Klingeman, P. C., Bravard, J.-P., & Giuliani, Y. (1994). Les impacts morphodynamiques sur un cours d’eau soumis à un aménagement hydroélectrique à dérivation: le Rhône en Chautagne (France). Revue de Géographie de Lyon, 1, 75–89.
Klingeman, P. C., Bravard, J.-P., Giuliani, Y., Olivier, J.-M., & Pautou, G. (1998). Hydropower reach by-passing and dewatering impacts in gravel-bed rivers. In P. C. Klingeman, R. Beschta, P. Komar, & J. Bradley (Eds.), Gravel bed rivers in the environment (pp. 313–344). Littleton: Water Resources Publications.
Lammersen, R., Engel, H., van de Langemheen, H., & Buiteveld, H. (2002). Impact of river training and retention measures on flood peaks along the Rhine. Journal of Hydrology, 267, 115–124.
Loczy, D. (2007). The Danube: Morphology, evolution and environmental issues. In A. Gupta (Ed.), Large rivers. Geomorphology and management (pp. 235–260). Chichester: Wiley.
Maillet, G. M., Raccasi, G., Provansal, M., Sabatier, F., Antonelli, C., Vella, C., & Fleury, T. J. (2007). Transferts sédimentaires dans le Bas-Rhône depuis le milieu du 19e siècle: Essai de quantification. Géographie Physique et Quaternaire, 61(1), 37–50.
Mandier, P. (1988). Le relief de la moyenne vallée du Rhône au Tertiaire et au Quaternaire, Orléans, éd. BRGM, Doc n° 151, 3 vol.
Müller, N. (1995). River dynamics and floodplain vegetation and their alterations due to human impacts. Large Rivers, 9, 477–512 (Arch. Hydrobiologie, Suppl. 101).
Olivier, J.-M., Carrel, G., Lamouroux, N., Malard, F., Bravard, J.-P., & Amoros, C. (2009). The Rhône River. In C. Robinson, U. Uehlinger, & K. Tockner (Eds.), Rivers of Europe (pp. 247–295). San Diego: Elsevier.
Pardé, M. (1925). Le Régime du Rhône. Etude hydrologique. Etudes et Travaux de l’Institut de géographie Alpine de l’Université de Grenoble, Lyon. State doctorate, University of Grenoble.
Piégay, H., Darby, S. A., Mosselmann, E., & Surian, N. (2005). The erodible corridor concept: Applicability and limitations for river management. River Research and Applications, 21, 773–789.
Poinsart, D. (1992). Effet des aménagements fluviaux sur les débits liquides et solides. L’exemple du Rhône dans les plaines de Miribel-Jonage et de Donzère-Mondragon. Thèse de géographie, Université Jean-Moulin Lyon 3, 501 p.
Pont, D. (1997). Le Rhône: l’axe et la vallée. Les débits solides du Rhône à proximité de son embouchure: données récentes (1994–1995). Revue de Géographie de Lyon, 72, 23–33.
Pont, D., Simonnet, J. P., & Walter, A. V. (2002). Medium-term changes in suspended sediment delivery to the ocean: Consequences of catchment heterogeneity and river management (Rhône River, France). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 54, 1–18.
Roux, A. L., Bravard, J. P., Amoros, C., & Pautou, G. (1989). Ecological changes of the French upper Rhône river. In G. E. Petts, H. Möller, & A. L. Roux (Eds.), Historical Changes of Large Alluvial Rivers in Western Europe (pp. 323–350). Chichester: Wiley.
Sabatier, F., Maillet, G., Provansal, M., Fleury, T.-J., Suanez, S., & Vella, C. (2006). Sediment budget of the Rhône delta shoreface since the middle of the 19th century. Marine Geology, 234, 143–157.
Salvador, P.-G., Berger, J.-F., Gauthier, E., & Vannière, B. (2004). Holocene fluctuations of the Rhône River in the alluvial plain of the Basses Terres (Isère, Ain, France). Quaternaire, 15(1–2), 171–186.
Sauquet, E., & Haond, M. (2003). Examen de la stationnarité des écoulements du Rhône en lien avec la variabilité climatique et les actions humaines. Coll. Barrages et développement durable en France. Paris, Comité Français des Grands Barrages & Ministère de l’Ecologie et du Développement Durable, pp. 261–270.
Schiemer, F., Baumgartner, C., & Tockner, K. (1999). Restoration of floodplain rivers: The Danube restoration project. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management, 15, 231–244.
Schoor, M. M., Wolfert, H. P., Maas, G. J., Middelkoop, H., & Lambeek J. J. P. (1999). Potential for floodplain rehabilitation based on historical maps and present-day processes along the River Rhine, The Netherlands. In S. Marriott, J. Alexander, & R. Hey (Eds.), Floodplains: Interdisciplinary Approaches (Vol. 163, pp. 123–137). London: Geological Society Special Publications.
Schumm, S. A. (1977). The fluvial system. New-York: Wiley.
SOGREAH. (2000). Etude globale pour une réduction des risques dus aux crues du Rhône. Etude du transport solide. Report for the Institution Interdépartementale des bassins Rhône-Saône, Valence, 469 p.
Tockner, K., Schiemer, F., & Ward, J. V. (1998). Conservation by restoration: The management concept for a river-floodplain system on the Danube River in Austria. Aquatic Conservation, Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 8, 71–86.
Tockner, K., Robinson, C., & Uehlinger, U. (Eds.). (2009). Rivers of Europe (700 p.). Oxford: Elsevier.
Vischer, D. (1989). Impact of 18th and 19th century river training works: Three case studies from Switzerland. In G. E. Petts, H. Möller, & A. L. Roux (Eds.), Historical changes of large alluvial rivers in Western Europe (pp. 19–40). Chichester: Wiley.
Walling, D. E., & He, Q. (1999). Changing rates of overbank sedimentation on the floodplains of British Rivers during the past 100 years. In A. G. Brown & T. A. Quine (Eds.), Fluvial processes and environmental change (pp. 207–222). Chichester: Wiley.
Acknowledgements
This work would not have been possible without the collaboration with many peoples and organisms, amongst which the National Rhône C°, the Rhône and Mediterranean Water Agency and the Regional Direction of Environment, Land Management and Dwelling. The present work benefited of the financial support of the Rhône River Master Plan through the OSR (Rhône Sediment Observatory, www.osr-Rhône.org).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bravard, JP., Gaydou, P. (2015). Historical Development and Integrated Management of the Rhône River Floodplain, from the Alps to the Camargue Delta, France. In: Hudson, P., Middelkoop, H. (eds) Geomorphic Approaches to Integrated Floodplain Management of Lowland Fluvial Systems in North America and Europe. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2380-9_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2380-9_12
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2379-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2380-9
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)