Le bassin-versant de l’Yerres (1030 km²) est localisé au sud-est de l’agglomération parisienne et s’étend sur le plateau de Brie au relief très modéré. Ses caractéristiques physiographiques et sa situation géographique confèrent au lit de l’Yerres une très faible pente (0,009 %), entravée par une forte segmentation longitudinale (0,5 ouvrage/km). Cette dernière est ancienne (moulins hydrauliques) ou plus récente (barrages mobiles) et s’est généralement accompagnée d’une chenalisation du lit. Les perturbations engendrées par ces ouvrages et les modifications morphologiques du lit ont provoqué une altération considérable de la dynamique fluviale et de la diversité morphologique du cours d’eau. Dans ce contexte d’un cours d’eau de faible énergie (< 10 W/m²) fortement artificialisé, notre recherche s’est attachée à évaluer l’efficience de l’effacement de trois barrages à clapets mobiles (h < 3 m) sur la restauration hydromorphologique du lit. À cet effet, des suivis topographique et sédimentologique à haute résolution spatio-temporelle ont été mis en œuvre entre 2015 et 2017 afin d’appréhender les réajustements du système fluvial à partir de l’évolution des caractéristiques morphologiques et granulométriques de son lit. Ils ont dévoilé un remblaiement alluvial se produisant principalement sous la forme de banquettes latérales de vases, à l’exception du site d’Ozouer (le plus en amont). Sur ce dernier le remblaiement alluvial sableux est plus généralisé. À la suite des abaissements hivernaux, celui-ci a fait l’objet des changements morphologiques les plus prononcés, caractérisés par une érosion marquée du fond du lit de la retenue et un faible alluvionnement en aval. Les réajustements morphologiques restent toutefois modérés compte tenu des débits exceptionnellement forts sur la période de suivi et semblent par ailleurs être subordonnés à la présence de substrats sableux. Ainsi, si les abaissements améliorent indubitablement les conditions hydro-éco-morphologiques (i.e. la diversité des faciès d’écoulement), la restauration physique du lit fortement dégradé de l’Yerres se limite au rétablissement du transport du matériel de fond sableux. / The Yerres catchment (1030 km²) is located at the southeast border of the Paris conurbation and spreads on the low relief Brie Plateau. Topographical characteristics and geographical location provide the Yerres River with a very low gradient (0,009 %) and a high longitudinal partitioning (0,5 dam/km). Cross-structures are either ancient (medieval watermills) or more recent (mobile dams) and often associated with river channelling. Dam perturbation on sediment fluxes and bed morphological modifications have led to a significant degradation of the river fluvial dynamic and morphological diversity. In this context of a much artificialized low-energy river (< 10 W/m²), we aimed at assessing the efficiency of three mobile dam (h < 3 m) lowering on bed hydromorphological restoration. For that purpose, high spatial and temporal resolution monitoring of bed topography and sediment-size were carried out between 2015 and 2017, in order to document fluvial system adjustment to dam lowering through morphological and grain-size change. Before dam lowering, fine sediment had mainly deposited in channel margins forming mud banks, except for Ozouer impoundment (the more upstream study site). For the latter, sand sedimentation had been extended to the whole channel width. After dam lowering, it also experienced the more pronounced morphological change, characterised by significant bed erosion upstream and little bed aggradation downstream. However, morphological response to dam lowering remained moderate given the high discharges over the monitoring period. Channel adjustments also appeared to be linked to sand-bed. Thus, while dam lowering undoubtedly improve hydro-eco-morphological conditions (i.e. flow facies diversity), physical restoration of the highly degraded Yerres riverbed is restricted to the sand bed material transport restoration.

This thesis aims to improve our understanding of how riverine ecosystems respond to dam removal. Riverine and particularly riparian ecosystems are among the most variable and important features of all landscapes. They connect landscape elements both longitudinally and laterally, and are governed by processes such as flooding, erosion and deposition that create dynamic, diverse and heterogeneous habitats. In fact, riparian zones are among the world’s most species-rich habitats. Worldwide there are millions of dams that fragment stream and river systems, regulate flows and degrade ecosystems. Dams impact freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems and threaten biodiversity by disrupting organism movements and energy flows in the landscape. An important upstream effect of dams is inundation of habitats and development of new shorelines around impounded areas. Effects downstream of dams are mainly caused by changed hydrological regimes and retention of organic and inorganic materials in reservoirs, leading to reduced transport and dispersal of for example seeds to reaches downstream. The removal of dams create expectations that biota will eventually recover. We have studied a number of dam removal projects in Sweden. Our experimental results showed that following dam removal, newly exposed soils in former impoundments were rapidly colonized by pre-removal species. Their species richness increased slightly with time and their species composition indicated a slow change towards that in the reference site. In addition, the vegetation in formerly impounded areas showed a direction of change from lentic riparian plants (high proportion of aquatics) towards lotic ones, consisting of native perennials typical of free-flowing streams. We also found that the apprehensions that former impoundments would turn into pools of mud did not come true; in fact, a process towards more pristine channel morphology was observed. After removal there was erosion and downstream transport of sediment. We found only minor effects on macroinvertebrate communities. For example, a few species decreased over the years, suggesting that dam removal in itself might cause a temporary disturbance. This highlights the importance of long-term studies after dam removal, and also the importance of comparisons with pre-removal conditions and stretches unaffected by dams. Thorough documentation of executed dam removal projects and distribution of the results and experiences are tremendously important in the planning process of future decommissioning projects. Also, our experiences have taught us that in order to attain a successful dam removal it is important to involve stakeholders such as non-governmental organizations and local inhabitants in the process.

Dada a importância estratégica das barragens no Brasil e à disputa de interesses, o descomissionamento dessas estruturas é um assunto inevitável a ser discutido. Um conjunto de casos de descomissionamento de outros países é apresentado e ilustra de maneira abrangente essa questão pouco discutida e ainda não legislada no Brasil. Uma metodologia para avaliação da necessidade de descomissionamento com base no potencial de risco oferecido foi proposta e aplicada aos barramentos constantes do Cadastro de barragens das bacias PCJ, no estado de São Paulo. Apesar de a metodologia não poder ser aplicada em sua total extensão devido à insuficiência de dados do cadastro, é possível perceber quando algumas barragens encontram-se descuidadas, sem nenhum tipo de monitoramento podendo ser elegíveis para escomissionamento. / Due to the importance of dams in Brazil and to different interests, dam decommissioning is an unavoidable issue to be discussed. Some examples of dam removal in some countries are presented to generally elucidate this subject that still hasnt been acknowledged, neither legislated in Brazil. A methodology for evaluation of decommissioning demanding, based on the potential risk offered by dams has been set up and tested over a few dams that are constituent of a data basis of dams of Piracicaba-Capivari-Jundiaí (PCJ) basins, in São Paulo state. Despite the fact that the methodology couldnt be used at its full length due to lack of field data, it has been realized when some dams of the data basis are most despised, recklessly maintained and are contestant for decommissioning.

Thesis advisor: Noah P. Snyder / Though previous studies have shown saltmarsh adaptability to some degree of sea-level rise (SLR), sediment supply is critical to sustaining saltmarshes as SLR accelerates. Land-use activities, such as dams, often influence watershed sediment transport and delivery to the coast. Previous studies have suggested that, even in small watersheds, dams can significantly impact coastal sediment budgets. The Parker River watershed (PRW) in northeastern Massachusetts hosts 20 dams and several natural lakes, and drains into the Plum Island Sound Estuary (PIE). This research aims to evaluate the impact of dams and sediment transport in the PRW. Three approaches were used: theoretical modeling of sediment transport patterns using digital elevation models; spatial analysis of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and remote sensing data; and empirical calculations of reservoir trap efficiency. Geomorphic modeling indicates that bankfull discharge can transport 20 μm grains (silt) as wash load throughout the PRW. Sediment deposition might happen at Crane Pond and in reservoirs, but removing dams would not change this pattern. Both SSC data and observations of satellite images during high-flow events indicate low supply and transport of sediment throughout the PRW. The estimates of sediment yield (Y) are low for the PRW. An empirical calculation indicates little-to-no trap efficiencies for all dams. Therefore, fluvial contribution to the sediment budget of the PIS estuary is limited and dam removals in the PRW are unlikely to change the rate of sediment delivery to the PIE. The proposed method of this study provides an additional scope to assess the ecological benefits of removing a dam and could be easily replicated for other locations for similar assessment. Future studies should assess sediment dynamics and management practices from a more thorough perspective incorporating the riverine, estuarine and shelf system. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences.

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