Context
The Giffre River, has a partially braided facies in its alluvial plain (between Samoëns and Taninges / Haute-Savoie). Historically, these braids extended throughout the valley, but damming (particularly during the Sardinian period), and the extraction of materials, have modified its morphology.
Within the framework of the Giffre-Risse River Contract (2012-2019), several sectors of the Giffre underwent works aimed at restoring the morphology of the Giffre, by giving it more space (clearing of banks, scarification, creation of secondary channels, etc.).
In addition, the weir at the entrance of the Tines gorges was modified to promote sediment transit, whilst maintaining the existing material extraction activity; a solid material management plan has been in place since 2012 to promote natural sediment transit.
Other projects are underway in this sector, mainly aimed at managing the risk of flooding, while giving space back to the river (Etteley-Sages sector in Samoëns in particular). Indeed, there are flooding issues in the valley.
Objectives
The aim of this mission is to build an ambitious, concerted and sustainable restoration project for the Giffre valley between the communes of Samoëns and Taninges, in Haute Savoie, over a distance of approximately 15 kilometres.
Creating a global vision of the Giffre restoration, in the form of a guiding vision, is the main objective of the project. These guiding visions will have to cater to various goals: morphological restoration of the river and alluvial environments, landscape enhancement, restoration of the riverbanks, re-appropriation of the river by the local population and residents, protection of property and people, biological continuity.
This mission is approached with a transdisciplinary perspective: landscape, architecture, urban planning, ecology, hydromorphology, plant engineering.
After a diagnosis and consultation phase, the assignment will result in a landscape sketch that will provide the overall framework for action and will bring coherence to the projects carried out by the various actors in the area.
In addition, there is a request to zoom-in on certain sectors of the Giffre and carry out some short-term projects.
The Giffre is an asset of the territory and it is important to bring everyone around the table and build together a project that meets the wishes and expectations of everyone.
Project partner(s)
Project leader - team
Pierre-André Frossard
(HEPIA)