River floodplains and riparian areas are highly valued because they not only provide easy access to water but also to transportation, food production, recreation, and natural beauty, with high levels of biological diversity. Managing the rivers must address the growing development pressure on each of these values including water related disasters such as floods and droughts, sustainable water supply, protection and remediation of water quality, management of river sediments and soil erosion, river restoration, protection of riparian habitats, etc.

Water shortage, water pollution and flood impacts are among the most urgent problems in river management. As an example, the number of flood disasters world-wide has increased significantly in recent years. While this may partly be due to a changing climate, the increasing utilisation of flood plains and a reduction in the natural retention capacity of catchments play a significant role.

Dams and reservoirs contribute significantly to the management of the world’s water which is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. They ensure water for power, irrigation, and are used to mitigate the potentially devastating effects of floods and droughts. At the same time, dams and reservoirs may have adverse environmental and social impacts. There is therefore an increasing demand for detailed and accurate assessments of the environmental impacts and for the efficient operation of existing dams to minimize the adverse effects while maximizing the benefits.

Our services in this field are tailored and can assist rivers and reservoir managers faced with complex decisions in meeting these demands – both in real-time and for planning purposes.