Long Profile Evolution of a Mountain Stream in Relation to Gravel Load Management: Example of the Middle Giffre River (French Alps)

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m³) following extensive gravel extraction from the channel, this evolution appears to be reversed today, showing that this river is capable of rehabilitating itself. The watershed supplies the river with 50,000 m³/yr of material and part of this load (30,000 m³/yr) is extracted. Although it is theoretically possible to reverse this phenomenon, it is unacceptable for the local economy as man-made installations unadapted to flooding were developed along the river during the period of incision. Today, the development policy is in conflict with the maintenance and the preservation of natural sediment transport and deposition.