Scientific design strategy for promoting sustainable sediment management: the case of the Magra River (Central‐Northern Italy)

The Magra River (Central-Northern Italy) and its main tributary, the Vara River, have been heavily affected by sediment mining and other human disturbances that have caused channel incision and a series of associated negative environmental effects. As a consequence, the Basin Authority of Magra River has recently implemented a new river management policy based on an understanding and analysis of gcomorphic processes. This paper describes and illustrates a methodology that defines a scientifically-based strategy for promoting future sustainable management of sediment and channel processes within this catchment. The methodology is based on a diagnosis which incorporates retrospective analyses of channel geometry, causes of changes and hydraulic sediment budgets to evaluate potential sediment transport. All these data are summarized using a multi-criteria approach to develop an overall design strategy for medium-term (i.e. some decades) bed sediment management. A practical methodology to identify potential sources of sediment at the catchment scale and to promote sediment delivery is also described. Finally, a 'map of strategies for sediment management' is presented, which synthesises all the aspects studied (morphological evolution, sediment budgets and considerations of potential sediment recharge).