The project “Rehabilitation and determination of zones for the removal of aggregates of the Achelou riverbed downstream of Stratos dam” resulted from the need to implement the mandates of KYA 129264/ 23-05-2007 for the approval of Environmental Conditions for the operation of the “Existing STPs: Kremasto, Kastraki and Stratos I, II in the Acheloos River of the Prefecture of Etoloakarnania and Evrytania” of D.E.H. S.A. and related to the works for the restoration of the Achelou riverbed, the determination of aggregate extraction zones downstream of the Stratos dam and the removal of levees.

The project concerned the section of the Achelou river bed downstream of the Stratos dam and up to its mouth. The area in which the proposed restoration works will be constructed is defined to the north by the Stratos I dam, to the west by the escape channel and for a length of approximately 7 km, to the south by the rejoining point of the escape channel to the old bed of the Acheloos and to the east by the embankment of the old bed along which a rural road passes. The study area belongs to the prefecture of Etoloakarnania, which is located in the western part of the geographical division of Central Greece.

The project was distinguished in the following three axes:

• Investigation of shaping projects of the old bed of the Acheloos downstream of the Stratos dam and for a length of 7km, so that possible flood supplies can be safely drained. Great attention was paid to the passage of the benefits so that they do not in any case approach the restored landfills of the area, creating the risk of water mixing with the expanders, nor the risk of creating conditions for the failure of the restoration projects and entrainment of the waste stored in them.
• Appropriate configuration of the old Bed of Acheloos with a view to exploiting in the best possible way the supply of 7m³/s that will flow continuously in the first 7Km. Creation of interconnected lakes with the aim of maintaining the liquid element in the area, ensuring the possibility of enriching the underground aquifer with free infiltration and, in general, the creation of a recreational area. Visual restoration of the area, which after the continuous and uncontrolled interventions to remove aggregates presents a particularly disturbed and aesthetically unacceptable relief.

In the removal of predetermined quantities of sediments from specific and selected locations through the Acheloos bed, for one and only time, with the aim of anti-flood protection of the area, since the deposition of sediments in these locations has reduced the drainage capacity of the riverbed

The projects were classified in sub-category A1 of the 2^nd Group of Projects & Activities (Hydraulic Works) and specifically in the type of project that refers to anti-flooding projects and water flow management projects such as: construction of a cross-section with or without lining, construction or reinforcement of embankments, removal alluvium, watercourse cover, artificial branch construction, etc.