MONET 2030: Structure of watercourses

SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal description

« Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. […] Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. […]»

Swiss target 6.6: As far as possible, some water bodies with heavily built-up shores will be restored to their natural state. Sufficient space will be set aside for all bodies of water and managed extensively as areas reserved for promoting biodiversity. To the extent possible, the adverse impacts of the use of waterbodies for hydropower (hydropeaking, sediment transport, fish migration) are eliminated by 2030.

Significance of the indicator
The indicator shows the share of the total length of watercourses in a poor ecomorphological condition. Corrections and the building of dykes on watercourses compromise their ability to fulfil their natural functions and deplete the surrounding ecosystems. A reduction in this rate is, therefore, a step towards sustainable development.

Help for interpretation
Some 30 000 km of small or medium size watercourses were included in ecomorphology survey. Major watercourses such as the Rhine or the Rhône are not included. The results were then carried over and extrapolated to Switzerland’s hydrographic network so that an analysis could be conducted covering the whole country. It should be noted, however, that the method used for the ecomorphological survey does not apply to the major watercourses (Rhine, Aar, Rhône, Limmat and Reuss) due to their complexity. These watercourses are therefore not included in the data used for extrapolation of the results to the whole of Switzerland.

International comparability
This indicator cannot be compared at international level.

Synthesis

Comments: no assessment possible for this indicator as there is no time series.

The indicator shows the percentage of the length of watercourses in a poor ecomorphological condition. The indicator is collected by the cantons (with funding from the FOEN) as part of the “modular stepwise procedure: Ecomorphology Level 1 (regional survey)”. Between 1998 and 2006 nearly 30 000 km of watercourses were mapped. To survey the ecomorphological conditions of the watercourses, a record was made of how close they were to their natural state, canalised sections and obstacle features.
The method used is suitable for small to medium size watercourses but was not tested on large watercourses such as the Rhine or the Rhône. The results relating to these approximately 30 000 km of watercourses were then carried over and extrapolated to Switzerland’s hydrographic network so that an analysis could be conducted covering the whole country. It should be noted, however, that the method used for the ecomorphological survey does not apply to the major watercourses (Rhine, Aar, Rhône, Limmat and Reuss) due to their complexity. These watercourses are therefore not included in the data used for extrapolation of the results to the whole of Switzerland.

FOEN - Ecomorphology Level I (regional survey)

Swiss target 6.6: As far as possible, some water bodies with heavily built-up shores will be restored to their natural state. Sufficient space will be set aside for all bodies of water and managed extensively as areas reserved for promoting biodiversity. To the extent possible, the adverse impacts of the use of waterbodies for hydropower (hydropeaking, sediment transport, fish migration) are eliminated by 2030.

International target 6.6 : By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.