LIFE Águeda Project –to (re)naturalise the morphology of several stretches of the Vouga, Águeda and Alfusqueiro rivers
The Municipality of Águeda, a member of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, of the Covenant of Mayors Europe and engaged in the Green City Accord and the European Climate Pact in 2022, is confronted with increasing risks of urban and river flooding making its population more vulnerable and exposed to serious climate risks.
The Municipality is developing strategies to counter those risks. Projects include installing hydrometric stations to monitor and detect water flows and levels, conducting rehabilitation and enhancement of the Águeda River, the river’s vegetation, and carrying out interventions in the Vouga and Alfusqueiro Rivers with the help of the Portuguese Environment Agency and the support of the Environmental Funds.
Among funded projects is ‘LIFE Águeda’, a project in cooperation with LIFE program – the EU’s funding instrument for environment and climate action, which aims to (re)naturalise the morphology of several stretches of the Vouga, Águeda and Alfusqueiro rivers, classified as Natura 2000 Network, as well as to restore associated habitats, in order to achieve the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive (WFD). The Municipality of Águeda is one of the project partners, coordinated by the University of Évora.
Interventions within this project include the restoration of river continuum and riparian habitats for the benefit of migratory and freshwater fish, the removal of obstacles on the river to restore the aquatic habitat and, additionally, the implementation of 5 fish passages (3 permanent and 2 temporary, in place during the summer season) and the control of invasive flora species and reforestation with native plant species in order to improve the ecological balance of river ecosystems.
In addition, the project aims to improve the ecological status of 51 kilometres of river stretches and 68 hectares of riverbeds. This will lead to an expansion of agricultural plains by 35 hectares and increase resilience to flooding thanks to enhanced riparian forests and embankments along more than 9,000 metres of river margins. Five devices are being placed to restore the ecological corridor and overcome obstacles for the ichthyofauna, improvement of habitats and fluvial ecotones by removing AIS and planting more than 15,000 plants of native species, in order to create adequate conditions for the development of the fauna and flora that once populated our rivers, are some of the technical measures applied along 25 km of rivers intervened by the project, completely located within the Nature2000 Network.
A major component of this project consists of other activities such as volunteering for groups and families, workshops, promotion of activities for youth during holidays and environmental education work with schools. These educational programs for the environment, sustainability and science, integrated into the LIFE ÁGUEDA project, enhance the acquisition of valuable knowledge regarding nature conservation, which has already involved around 5,300 people.
To ensure inclusive participation, the project purchased electrical equipment to support and enhance the experience “close to nature” of people with limited mobility. Several pedestrian paths have been adapted for use by people with motor difficulties, over a stretch of 20 km, along the Águeda river and the Pateira de Fermentelos lagoon, one of the largest lagoons in the Iberian Peninsula.
"The city of Águeda is one of the most sustainable cities in Portugal and one of the world Top 100 Green Destinations. Our municipal strategy aims the sustainable development, aligned with the 2030 SDG (Sustainable Development Goals), improving the quality of life for all inhabitants, as well as visitors, students and workers. The LIFE ÁGUEDA project is one of the major interventions implemented to restore the good ecological state for the preservation of the water lines and water bodies in our territory, also with a significance regarding the adaptation and resilience of the territory to climate change. With this Project (and others), the Municipality aims to bring back the people to their river promoting it’s valorisation and protection, raising awareness among the community so that they love, value and above all, preserve the natural resources!" Edson Santos, Deputy Mayor of the City of Águeda
The municipality of Águeda is demonstrating that it is at the forefront of biodiversity protection and restoration while trying to adapt to new climate risks.
For more information, please contact:
Municipality of Águeda: [email protected]
CDP-ICLEI Track 2022: https://data.cdp.net/
European Climate Pact: https://climate-pact.europa.eu/index_en
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: https://iclei.org/
Green City Accord: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/urban-envi...
Covenant of Mayors Europe: https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org/region/euro...
Life Águeda:https://www.life-agueda.uevora.pt/en/index.php
LIFE programme: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
The EU Water Framework Directive: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-frame
The EU Floods Directive: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/flood_risk/