Environmental restoration of the Guadiaro River Estuary, Cadiz, Spain

During 1998, the Spanish Ministry of Environmental Protection has developed the restoration of the Guadiaro estuary, near the Strait of Gibraltar, through the Coastal General Directorate. The main environmental problems, amongst others, detected at the area were a high eutrophication level of the estuarine waters and fish mortality mainly due to the low summer river effluent, the urban sewage inputs and no tidal renovation caused by the blockage of the sand bar at the mouth of the river. Some of the actions developed concerning the estuary restoration project were the implementation of a management plan for the natural site, limitation of road traffic access, cleaning operations, suppression of the main sewage water input to the estuary and dune flora plantation for the sandbar stabilisation. Furthermore, dredging of sand (175.000 m(3)) at the estuary mouth was carried out in order to improve tidal renovation. Material was availed for the nourishment of the south beach. Although water quality parameters have been improved, complementary measures are under study to guarantee the permanent opening of the Guadiaro estuary mouth.