Rivers are precious natural spaces that provide us refreshing comfort and peace of mind, and where many creatures live and grow. We need to move beyond the traditional approach of placing the priority on flood control and water resources development. Then we shift to an approach toward improving rivers that makes full use of the wonderful dynamism that rivers have, and that achieves harmony with the natural environment.

Nature-Oriented River Works

      In improving and managing rivers, our approach is to achieve harmony with good environment for habitat and growth of living organisms, as well as to conserve and restore beautiful natural environments. Toward that goal, we are conducting research into creating nature-oriented rivers.
The Hikichi River has been restored nature
in one united body with park.
(Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
The Shojin River has been restored stream in City.
(Sapporo City, Hokkaido)


Restoring to Natural Rivers

      In order to restore natural diverse river environment, it is necessary to renaturalize river system including natural disuturbance from the standpoint of the river basin. We are conducting research on measures of renaturalizaiton projects such as wetland, natural rivers estuary mudflats and so on.
The Kushiro River where aims for the
restoration of the Wetland.
The Tama River where aims for the restoration
of Rich Ecosystem and Dry Riverbed.


National Censuses on River Environments

      We systematically collect basicinformation on habitat of animals and plants in rivers and surrounding environment. This data, and analyses based upon it, are used for the improvement and conservation on river environment.


By integrating the research data into GIS,
it becomes possible to draw up river environment information maps.


Evaluation of River Environment

      We collect information on environmental impact of river improvement works, especially how they may change wildlife habitats and channel shapes. We conduct research into forecasting and evaluating impact on overall river environment. Our researchis also focusing on cost-benefit analysis of river works in harmony with nature.
Immediately after construction work.
 3 years after completion of construction.
Wholesome river environment has been restored by nature-oriented
river works at the Nuki River. (Kitakyushu City)


Back to the Top