Rhine River Basin

Abstract

With a length of 1320 km and a river basin of 168.757 km², the Rhine is the largest river in Northwest Europe. On its way, the Rhine passes through eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the eighties of the last century, the water and spatial quality of the river were very poor. A chemical disaster stimulated international cooperation on river basin level. Restoration measures started in the nineties, with success. Key principles used are Working with Nature (Room for the River), Integrated approaches, strategic partnerships and flag ship species. The latter used to bring parties from different backgrounds together, and unite them in their efforts. The working with Nature approach involves the entire river basin: from the mountains, where water can be stored near the source in natural sponges; the middle reach, where the Room for the River concept can be applied; and the Delta, where natural processes can keep pace with a rising sea level. Although many challenges are still there, nowadays the Salmon and Sturgeon are back in the Rhine.