Development of channel restoration strategies in contaminated floodplain environments

Dynamic rivers that are bounded by geochemically degraded floodplains pose unique challenges in the development of channel rehabilitation strategies. Channel restoration in such environments is largely controlled by the approach taken to tailings treatments, which may include complete removal, partial removal, or in-situ treatment applications. Where tailings are to be removed and the channel/floodplain configuration is to be entirely reconstructed, opportunities exist for the creation of a dynamically stable channel based on geomorphic design criteria and the application of deformable bank protection. Where tailings are to remain or will be treated in-situ, geomorphically based restoration strategies can be developed which integrate fluvial processes and tailings distributions such that the risk of tailings entrainment can be minimized.