Sustainable management of sediment fluxes in the Rhône river cascade

Abstract

The Rhône is one of the major river systems of Europe. Originating in the Swiss Alps, it flows mainly through France to the Mediterranean Sea. At the catchment outlet, the mean annual discharge is approximately 1,700 m³/s for a basin area of 95,500 km². Compared to similar catchments, the Rhône River is quite steep and its flow discharge is significant. A powerful waterway, the Rhône River is not only a source for hydropower generation but also a carrier of sediment.