Human activity has resulted in substantial and permanent change in the ecology of the river and floodplain system of the Weser catchment area over the past century and particularly in recent decades. Ecological damage has depleted the Weser region’s water bodies, floodplains and natural biota.

The Weser’s bottomlands continue to be subjected to the following ecological depredations: increasing and intensive agricultural use, extensive raw material extraction, spread of human settlements, commercial activity, traffic thoroughfares, and recreational use of the last remaining floodplain areas. Plans calling for expanded use of the Upper Weser for shipping, and use of the Middle Weser for ships larger than those currently permitted pose a direct threat to the river’s ecology.

In the interest of meeting these challenges, the Weser ecological master plan was elaborated with a view to improving the ecology of the Weser, Werra and Fulda rivers and the surrounding areas in a manner that takes into account conditions in the entire floodplain.

In 1997, the hydromorphological characteristics of the Weser, Werra and Fulda were evaluated as part of a hydromorphology mapping project.

Current hydromorphology mapping results from the various regional states for the Weser catchment area can be found in 2000 Weser hydromorphology map.

Hydromorphology map 2000.pdf(434kB)