Rivers and their surrounding areas have become increasingly frequented spaces. Swimmers, canyoners or hikers, among others, share often fragile river stretches, where pressure is growing and management is becoming increasingly complex. In this context, #cafèPrismàtic dedicated a session to reflecting on how to organise these uses without losing natural values, and on what tools are currently available to better manage these spaces.

The session addressed the management of recreational activities in stream and river areas from a practical perspective, based on real cases and experiences applied in the territory.

The meeting began with a presentation by Sara Sánchez, who shared the management experience in Alta Garrotxa. Based on this case, aspects such as planning and protection instruments, available services and infrastructure, regulation systems through public fees or prior booking, and mechanisms for controlling access to rivers were discussed.

The session also focused on the governance models needed to make this management possible, with the involvement of administrations, organisations, local residents and security forces, as well as the main needs identified on the ground.

Next, Anna Freixa and Josep Pueyo, researchers at the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), contributed the perspective of applied research. Their presentation showed how scientific knowledge can help address current challenges and improve decision-making in the management of river areas.

They did so through several projects developed in areas such as Les Guilleries, the Natural Park of the Headwaters of the Ter and Freser Rivers, and work linked to the Catalan Water Agency, highlighting the role of scientific evidence in defining more robust, efficient and sustainable models.

The session helped to provide a better understanding of how river areas are currently being managed and what tools exist (and which still need to be developed) to move towards more sustainable, coordinated and evidence-based models.

The session can be watched again on the #cafèPrismàtic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/fDnrpYRVvEk