Ecohydraulics Model Development for Restoration of a Stream in

West Wales, UK
A unique data set, containing hydraulic, substrate and ecological parameters was
collected over a three-year period for a 3 km meandering section of the Afon
Morlais. The reach was investigated commencing immediately after it had been
reinstated over a disused open cast coal mine in West Wales, UK, with the aim
being to evaluate the overall success of the restoration scheme and for
calibration and validation of the ecohydraulic and hydro-morphodynamic model
developed in this study. Surveying results showed that the river bed was stable
and chemical data analysis indicated that the water quality was good.
Macroinvertebrates were collected and taxa also showed good water quality,
characterised by a slightly lower diversity than in an upstream "natural" reference
reach.
Two computer modelling tools were used and further developed to investigate the
dependence of habitat creation on hydro-morphodynamic factors. Firstly, the one
dimensional HECRAS model was used for predicting velocities and water depths
longitudinally. An additional program was developed to determine the necessary
sediment size to prevent the initiation of sediment motion. Secondly, the
Research Centre's two dimensional finite difference model DIVAST was applied
to several meanders, taking account of the cross-sectional velocity and depth
distributions. A curvilinear computational mesh was applied, which allowed an
ideal application to narrow meandering river bathymetries. DIVAST was then
linked with the stream ecology, through macroinvertebrate suitability criteria and
river bed changes were predicted with the model. The developed modelling tools
enabled habitat predictions to be made and addressed current design guidelines
for enhanced recolonisation processes in river regeneration projects.