Case study:Restoration of Ilabekken brook
Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | |
Themes | Fisheries, Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity, Monitoring |
Country | Norway |
Main contact forename | Morten |
Main contact surname | Bergan |
Main contact user ID | User:Arolam |
Contact organisation | Niva |
Contact organisation web site | http://http://www.niva.org/home/ |
Partner organisations | Municipality of Trondheim and The Norwegian Public Roads Administration |
Parent multi-site project | |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
No |
Project summary
The Ilabekken brook is a small watercourse in the City of Trondheim. Since the early 20th century the area of the brook has urbanized. Because of the urbanization and loading from the sewage waters there has been loss of habitats and natural biodiversity in the brook. The sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) population had disappeared, in addition to other aquatic organisms and birds.
Local actions were taken during 2005-2008 to restore the area. Dedicated plan for the whole Ila valley was done integrating the needs of many different stakeholders. Large construction projects, especially the construction of a new ring road system around the town centre required relocation and upgrading of sewage and water works. The idea of opening the old water course of Ilabekken brook was assessed early in the planning process
The aim of the restoration was to improve the whole Ila valley area for recreation and well-being. The object was to reopen the Ilabekken brook and to stop the loading from sewage waters. Also habitat adaptations were made to recover the biodiversity in the brook for example creating more spawning and living places for sea trout and aquatic organisms by adding stones and gravel in the stream.
After the restoration the area of the Ilabekken brook has been a popular respite site in the city. The content of phosphorous and other pollutants have decreased in to the natural levels and populations of pollution sensitive species has recovered. Salmonid fish has rehabitated the brook and right after the restoration spawning and reproduction of trout has been also successful. Also macroinvertebrate communities have been re-established after the restorations. Monitoring studies performed by NIVA from the last 5 years have showned rapid recolonization from upstream during the first year. And maintaining this biodiversity will reflect to more pristine streches upstream. This is in accordance with the enhanced water quality, more steady water level (during winter) and habitat improvement measures that have been taken during the restoration project. The restoration of Ilabekken brook has been a good example of good co-operation between different stakeholders. There were open and broad channels of communication with the local population and other actors throughout the planning process.
Monitoring surveys and results
Lessons learnt
Image gallery
Catchment and subcatchment
Site
Project background
Cost for project phases
Reasons for river restoration
Measures
MonitoringHydromorphological quality elements
Biological quality elements
Physico-chemical quality elements
Any other monitoring, e.g. social, economic
Monitoring documents
Additional documents and videos
Additional links and references
Supplementary InformationEdit Supplementary Information
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