Line of action:

Urban environments

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Vic, Barcelona (Catalonia)

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025

Total budget:

€1,898,748.65

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€1,803,811.22

Coordinating entity:

Vic City Council

River systems have been strongly modified, especially in urban sections, and we currently find an infinite number of transversal infrastructures in the riverbed with a great ecological impact, which directly or indirectly affect the hydromorphological and biological characteristics of the river (Cowx and Welcomme, 1998).

Obstacles in the river channel lead to the loss and alteration of habitats because they modify sediment transport, the natural profile of the river and prevent the movement of most aquatic species (Ordeix 2015). The restoration of river connectivity is necessary to restore the natural population of fish and other aquatic organisms as it facilitates their migrations. In obstacles currently in use or that host non-extinct infrastructures, fish passage devices are proposed.

In addition, it is currently bounded by two longitudinal defence systems, an external one aimed at protecting the urban area against flooding and a low-water wall. The low-water wall, in most sections, does not play a protective role for infrastructures and, however, reduces and constricts the ordinary course of the Meder River, limiting its movement and lamination. The Meder River as it passes through the town centre of Vic, between the old mill d’en Saborit and the bridge over Avinguda dels Països Catalans, adjoins a space previously occupied by a textile industry. This has constricted the riverbed, being notably boxed in and has modified the banks, which currently have a very steep slope and are practically unpopulated of native riverside vegetation.

The Méder and Gurri rivers have undergone major modifications in the past and today, they have numerous infrastructures that affect the hydromorphological and biological characteristics of the channel. The demolition and integration of these constructions and the recovery of riverside ecosystems to generate habitats that allow the establishment of fauna and flora are the main actions of the project. In addition, the hydraulic capacity will be increased and the flooding of some buildings will be reduced.

Some of the actions included in this project are:

• Construction of a fish passage device, bottom ramp type, in the Passeig de la Generalitat dam.
• Demolition and adaptation of longitudinal defences (low-water wall) and renaturation of the banks.
• Hydraulic, environmental and landscape management of the Azud de las Adoberies.
• Construction of a passage device for fish in the Azud de las Adoberies.
• Demolition of transverse structures in the riverbed.
• Widening and recovery of the banks of the Meder river between the Molí d’en Saborit and the bridge of the avenue dels Països Catalans.