The hydroelectric development of the Rhône has greatly disrupted the hydrology and sediment transit. On the Geneva Rhône, the Verbois reservoir is a real trap for fine sediments, which must be regularly «cleaned» in order to guarantee the safety of the lower districts of Geneva (Jonction).
Since 2016, a new fine sediment management strategy has been put in place, jointly with the French authorities and operators (CNR - Compagnie Nationale du Rhône). This strategy is based in particular on controlled flushing operations, where the lowering of the reservoir is partial rather than complete, and where the concentration of suspended solids downstream of the dam must not exceed certain thresholds over a given period. The consequences of this resuspension of fine sediments on the fish fauna are significant.
The objectives of this project are as follows:
Project partner(s)
Project leader - team
Franck Cattaneo
(HEPIA),
David Grimardias
(HEPIA),
Antoine Polblanc
(HEPIA),
Eliane Demierre
(HEPIA),
Jane O'rourke
(HEPIA)