Inventory

The survey of the international river basin Rhine required by the European Water Framework Directive was accomplished in 2004. Nine states participated and described the survey of the international river basin Rhine required by the European Water Framework Directive was accomplished in 2004. Nine states participated and described the chemical and ecological state of rivers, lakes and coastal waters and estimated whether waters will achieve the environmental targets prescribed.

The detailed sub-reports on the inventory (reports part B) were prepared by the nine BAG of the Rhine IFGE and are still valid, as no significant changes in content have occurred.

The current assessment of chemical and ecological status can be found in the 2022-2027 management plan.

Natural, artificial and heavily modified
Even though, for reasons inherent to their use, many constructions must be maintained, the water bodies concerned should be ecologically revalued to the greatest possible extent: at least the best possible status permitted by the existing uses should be achieved. This is true of considerably modified water bodies – almost the entire Rhine and all of its most important tributaries – as well as of artificial water bodies such as channels or flooded gravel pits. Only the R. Sieg and the upper reaches of Neckar, Main, Moselle, Saar, Ruhr, Lippe and Vechte are largely still natural.