Developing and using geomorphic condition assessments for river rehabilitation planning, implementation and monitoring

Frameworks for assessing geomorphic river condition constitute a core part of the river management process, providing a critical platform for environmental decision-making and associated actions. The evolution of approaches for assessing the geomorphic (also called physical, morphological, or hydromorphological) condition of rivers has shifted from a design and development phase in the late-1990s and early 2000s to application and use of approaches for assessment, monitoring, and rehabilitation decision making. In this paper I review the core geomorphic principles that are embedded in more sophisticated, process-based frameworks, and demonstrate how the information generated through use of these frameworks can be used to guide management choices, change management activities or opt-out of management activities as part of precautionary river management practice. I propose that a key challenge now faced by geomorphologists and managers is to move beyond the development of more new frameworks, and consolidate efforts to use, test, and adapt existing approaches and datasets to achieve river management visions and objectives framed around improving river condition.