Variazioni idrografiche e condizionamento antropico. Esempi in Pianura Padana

Abstract

On the basis of an investigation of historical maps and archive materials and with the aid of airphoto-interpretation techniques, significant channel changes which occured in the upper Po river system during the last few centuries are described. In particular, instances of an extreme evolution of the river pattern are illustrated, including: a) multi-thread braiding pattern which have evolved into a single transitional channel; b) single thread meandering channels that have evolved into straight or transitional channels through a reduction of sinuosity. The physical system of the Po River plain has been affected by the presence of man activities for thousands of years and examples focus on the channel deepening and straightening as induced by the recent developments of human activities.