Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions

Conference Track:  Sustainable Engineering

Keywords:         river restoration, sustainable development, floodplain river, water resources management

Contact Title::    Dr.

Contact First Name: John

Contact Last Name:  Nestler

University:       US Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Web:              www.erdc.usace.mil

Position:         Director, Environmental Modeling and System-wide Assessment Center

Country:          USA

Email:            john.m.nestler@erdc.usace.army.mil

Fax:              601-634-2324

Paper Title:

Rio Paraná and Mississippi River:  Can Rivers in Two Continents be Similar?

Abstract:

The normal functions of most of the world's great floodplain rivers are disrupted because the blend and scaling of processes that characterize them in their natural states have been shifted to new states.  The altered states are often associated with major environmental quality problems and do not provide habitat suitable for desirable plant and animal communities.  Restoration of large rivers is typically guided by the concept of a historical or a site "reference condition".  However, most of the world's large rivers were already extensively modified from their initial states before the systematic collection of monitoring data.  Using ordination analysis, we show that the Mississippi River of North America and the Middle Paraná River of South America are relatively similar and can, therefore, be considered references for each other.  The unleveed mid and lower reaches of the Paraná River provide insight into probable conditions that existed in the Mississippi River more than one hundred years ago.  In contrast, the present state of the Mississippi River can serve as a negative reference for the Paraná River and demonstrates what my happen to the mid- and lower-reaches of the Paraná River with unsustainable water resources development.  We propose that scientists and engineers working in North America and South America should collaborate to take advantage of the unique opportunity presented by the similarity of two of the world's great rivers.  Their synergy will improve water resources management in both continents.

Mailing Address: 

IV-Z

3909 Halls Ferry Road

Vicksburg, Mississippi  39180-6199 

Phone: 

601-634-2720

601-634-3059

Authors: 

John M. Nestler / john.m.nestler@erdc.usace.army.mil / US Army Engineer Research and Development Center / P

Claudio R. M. Baigun / claudiobaigun@intech.gov.ar / Instituto Tecnologico de Chascomus /