Author(s): Francisco Miguel Cortes Sanchez; Beatriz Molina Martin; Maria Diaz Redondo

Linked Author(s): Francisco Miguel Cortés Sánchez

Keywords: Vinalopo; Groundwater overexploitation; Water resources management; Hydromorphology; River restoration

Abstract: The Vinalopó River is the main waterway within the province of Alicante, with a length of 96 km, and a watershed area of 1692 km2. Its geomorphological diversity is notable and differentiated between its headwater, middle and final sections, which in turn allows for the existence of a wide variety of ecosystems. In parallel, its hydrological behaviour also varies substantially along its course. Since its source, in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park, the river has a low but permanent flow, which disappears by diversion of its waters 10 km downstream, at the Beneixama weir. From this point, and except for periods of intense rainfall, the riverbed remains dry along a segment of around 22 km, and it is even occupied by crops. The channel only regains some flow after receiving the effluents from the Villena WWTP. Successive discharges from other treatment plants allow it to maintain a continuous flow until its mouth in the Salinas de Santa Pola. However, the inadequate management of the water resources in the basin and the numerous anthropic pressures on the river system have notably altered its hydrodynamics, its ecomorphological integrity, and the ecosystem services it provides to society. One of the most relevant pressures is the overexploitation of aquifers to meet the growing water demands in the Alicante territory, causing not only the depletion of underground resources, but also the river-aquifer disconnection. On the other hand, wastewater discharges and agriculture have primary responsibility for the poor physical-chemical water quality. Additionally, transversal obstacles, such as dams and weirs, successive canalizations, and the occupation of the fluvial corridor, have caused alterations in hydrogeomorphological processes and in longitudinal and transversal connectivity, thus increasing the risk of flooding and erosion in certain basin areas. Finally, the presence of both plant and animal invasive alien species endangers autochthonous communities, threatening the Vinalopó riparian biodiversity since it constitutes an ecological corridor for the dispersal of numerous species among existing protected areas. The range and extent of these pressures in the present global change scenario demands a necessary sustainable land and water resources management, including active population involvement and European Environmental Directives compliance. In this context, the CEDEX has drawn up a study, which aims at aiding the Generalitat Valenciana’s Master Plan in holistically addressing this situation, and which proposes restoration alternatives for the comprehensive environmental recovery of the basin.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC252171192022995

Year: 2022