Line of action:

Urban environments

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Gandía, Valencia (Valencian Community)

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

17/09/2022 - 31/12/2025

Total budget:

2.511.103,06 €

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

2.385.547,91 €

Coordinating entity:

Gandía City Council

Gandía City Council

The Barranc de Beniopa/Sant Nicolau ravine crosses the city of Gandía and flows into the port. This is a non-permanent watercourse that drains a territory formed by foothills around the Mondúver massif. This area registers the highest rainfall values in the Valencian territory, with peak flows that have caused serious flooding in the neighborhoods of Gandía. On November 3, 1987, the city registered more than 800 mm/m₂ (national rainfall record) in 24 hours, flooding the city and causing considerable material damage. Since then, the ravine has been on the verge of overflowing on several occasions. Currently, the riverbed has evolved towards a state of degradation and has seen its drainage capacity reduced due to the proliferation of invasive species and the progressive occupation of riparian spaces. On the other hand, the upper basin has suffered a large forest fire in 2018 (LLutxent fire, 3270 Ha), with a relevant affection to the infiltration and runoff retention capacity. All these factors, together with the foreseeable impacts derived from climate change, make the Beniopa ravine a potential danger for a densely populated territory.

The Barranc de Beniopa ravine crosses the city of Gandia and flows into the port after running through a marsh. The rainfall is the highest in the Valencian territory, with peak flows that have caused serious flooding in Gandía. On November 3, 1987, the city registered more than 800 mm/m in 24 hours (a national rainfall record), flooding the city and causing considerable material damage. Currently, it requires a comprehensive intervention since the ravine has evolved towards a state of degradation of its functionality by drastically reducing its drainage capacity due to the presence of invasive species and uncontrolled agricultural land use. The 2018 forest fire affected its infiltration and retention capacity, with serious danger to a densely populated territory.

Some of the actions included in this project are:

• Special Plan of the Green Infrastructure Network of the municipality of Gandía.
• Beniopa Ravine Master Plan.
• Recovery of riparian vegetation and habitat improvement.
• Creation of lamination basins and secondary channels to reduce hydrological risk.