River mobility area

Area of the floodplain within which the riverbed can move in accordance with the decree of 24/01/2001 relating to the exploitation of quarries. The river is a dynamic system, moving in space and time: it constantly adjusts to fluctuations in the liquid flow. These adjustments result in lateral translations allowing the mobilization of sediments and the functioning of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The mobility area corresponds to the "shifting" of the riverbed: i.e. the area of potential location of windings or braids. Mountain streams are normally recognized as having very small mobility areas on both sides of the riverbed; this area increases when further away from the headwaters, to become very large when it corresponds to the floodplains of major rivers. Geological maps show the routes of floodplains and are useful for defining the mobility area of streams. We also talk about river free space.