LLI-249 Ecological flow estimation in Latvian – Lithuanian trans-boundary river basins (ECOFLOW)

Project Duration: 11.04.2017 - 31.03.2019

Project ERDF Financing: 332 558.42 EUR

Project call: 1st call

Flow regime regulation is one of the most significant pressures in Latvian-Lithuanian (LV-LT) trans-boundary river basins, where about 100 small hydropower plants (HPP) are installed and flow regime modifications are made. Hydrological regime regulation for hydropower production dramaticaly impact the biotic composition and sustainability of ecosystems. However estimations of ecological flow (E-Flow) before this project have been carried out neither in Latvia, nor in Lithuania.

The overall objective of the project was to establish cooperation among the project partners in order to encourage development of new methodology for estimation of E-Flow, in compliance with standards and goals for protected areas under the WFD, Birds and Habitats Directive in Latvia-Lithuania border region. General idea of project was to assess the impact of small HPPs on river ecosystems in Latvia – Lithuania border regions, taking into account the sustainability of fish populations.

On Guidance document Nr.31 “Ecological flows in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive” based approach is used for the identification of insufficient water flow downstream HPPs and E-Flow estimation in LV-LT trans-boundary rivers. This approach includes in-situ measurements and modelling, and this was done in this project, too. New common activities of all involved partners were designation of habitat changes due to flow regulation and planning of ecological status improving by E-Flow control. This ensured a harmonized approach to water resource management in Latvian – Lithuanian cross-border region.

The main project outputs are elaborated Methodology for E-Flow estimation and Recommendations for the amendment to national water legislations in order to ensure effective implementation of E-Flow, binding the strategic planning for water uses and the permitting process.

Main conclusions from implemented project activities were that water regulation due to hydropower production in most cases significantly impacts the aquatic biota, both in Latvia and Lithuania. Current national legislation allow free interpretation of term “ecological flow” and the result is poor well-being conditions for fish. New methodology describes not only proposed approach but also proposes simplified approach of estimation of ecological flow.

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Phone: +37167770029
E-mail: inga.retike@lvgmc.lv
Website: www.meteo.lv
Address: Maskavas street 165, Riga, Latvia, LV-1019

26 November 2019

ECOFLOW project implemented

Project “Ecological flow estimation in Latvian – Lithuanian trans-boundary river basins” (ECOFLOW) that was led by Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, and participating Lithuanian Energy Institute, and Latvian Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, after two years of implementation has been ended in March, 2019. In the Final seminar on 26th of February 2019, in Riga, Latvia, were presented main results and achievements of project for wider public. General conclusion was that small hydropower plants that are built on rivers in Lithuania and Latvia within the Venta and Lielupe river basin districts, significantly impacts the fauna (fish species) in rivers.

Main aim of project was to gather information necessary for river management of small rivers with obstacles (small hydropower plants (HPP)) on them, as well as using scientific approach to assess the impact of small hydropower plants on fish species in Venta and Lielupe river basin districts.

Mid-term workshop held for ECOFLOW project

On 28-29 of March, 2018 in Lithuanian Energy Institute (Kaunas, Lithuania) was held Mid-term workshop of project ECOFLOW (No. LLI-249). Experts from all partners (Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR and Lithuanian Energy Institute), participated in this workshop.

During the Mid-term workshop project experts discussed about hydromorphological unit mapping in selected case studies of Venta River Basin District and modelling results from first habitat survey.

Summary of the progress made during the first period of the project ECOFLOW

Project main objective is to assess the impact of small hydroelectric power plants (HPP) on river ecosystems in Latvian-Lithuanian cross-border river basins.

ECOFLOW project will provide a scientific assessment of the impact of small HPP on aquatic ecosystems. As a result of the project, a methodology for determination of E-flow will be developed, proposals for amendments to national legislation, which would include the issuance and strategic planning of the use of water resources, as well as the list of vulnerable fish species in the Venta and Lielupe river basin districts.

Experts are trained on E-flow estimation

Experts from Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC), Lithuanian Energy Institute and Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR (BIOR) participated in a 3-week training seminar in Saldus from 3rd to 21th July . Under the leadership of Italian and Polish scientists, theoretical training on correct determination of ecological flow rate was held, as well as assessment of the impact of small hydroelectric power plants (HPP) on the ecological quality of waters. The workshop also included practical training in habitat mapping and recognition of river geomorphological units as well as in modeling ecological flow rates. Training for practical activities took place in the rivers of Venta River basin – Imula, Ciecere, Šķēde and Ēda.

Training seminar for ecological flow estimation in frame of ECOFLOW project

Two weeks later Project experts from 3 institutions – Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, Latvian Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR and Lithuanian Energy Institute will participate in 3-weeks long training seminar, which will held in Saldus, Latvia. During training scientists from Italy and Poland will explain and teach how to assess habitat degradation in rivers regulated by HPP, and what measurements should be carried out for ecological flow (E-flow) evaluation.

Project partners met in kick-off meeting

In 25^th of April 2017 was organized first project ECOFLOW meeting where all three project partners – Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC), Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) and Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR (BIOR) – met.

Ecological flow rates will be evaluated in Latvian-Lithuanian cross-border river basins

On April 11, 2017, Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC) together with partners launched project ECOFLOW (Ecological flow estimation in Latvian -Lithuanian trans-boundary river basins).

Project main objective is to assess the impact of small hydroelectric power plants (HPP) on river ecosystems in Latvian-Lithuanian cross-border river basins.

Tiks veikta ekoloģiskā caurplūduma noteikšana Latvijas – Lietuvas pārrobežu upju baseinos

2017.gada 11.aprīlī Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs (LVĢMC) kopā ar projekta partneriem Lietuvas Enerģētikas Institūtu un Pārtikas drošības, dzīvnieku veselības un vides zinātniskais institūtu BIOR uzsāka projekta ECOFLOW (Ekoloģiskā caurplūduma noteikšana Latvijas – Lietuvas pārrobežu upju baseinos/ Ecological flow estimation in Latvian – Lithuanian trans-boundary river basins) īstenošanu.

Projekta mērķis ir novērtēt mazo HES darbības ietekmi uz upju ekosistēmām Latvijas – Lietuvas pārrobežu upju baseinos.

Ekologinio debito vertinimas Latvijos ir Lietuvos pasienio regiono upių baseinuose

2017 metų balandžio 11 dieną Lietuvos energetikos institutas kartu su Latvijos aplinkos, geologijos ir meteorologijos centru bei Latvijos maisto saugos, gyvūnų sveikatos ir aplinkos tyrimų institutu pradėjo vykdyti Latvijos–Lietuvos bendradarbiavimo per sieną projektą „Ekologinio debito nustatymas Latvijos–Lietuvos pasienio upių baseinuose”.

Šis projektas yra svarbus Latvijos-Lietuvos tarpusavio bendradarbiavimo stiprinimui. Taip pat jis padės užtikrinti suderintą požiūrį į vandens išteklių valdymą Latvijos – Lietuvos pasienio regione.

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Partners structure

Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre
- Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI)
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment - "BIOR"

26. February 2019

Final Conference of ECOFLOW project

Riga, Latvia

In Final report on modelling results is described common approach and works done in the project, including final modelling results, and it can serve as ‘Manual” for similar works. FINAL REPORT ON MODELLING RESULTS (T2.5.1.)

In Methodology is described approach on how to make estimation of ecological flows. METHODOLOGY

Recommendations were prepared for necessary changes in national legislation, taking into account made analysis on national legislation regarding ecological flows, as well as practical aspects from ECOFLOW project. RECOMMENDATIONS

In Project progress Report on modelling results is included information about modelling, using MESOHABSIM model to estimate e-flow regimes, and how specific fish species react to different water levels and discharges in rivers, taking into account also available bottom sediments and other hydromorphological elements. REPORT ON MODELLING RESULTS (T2.3.1.)

For each trans-boundary river basin were prepared hydrographs (describing hydrological regimes during wet, dry and normal years) and list of specific species (to elaborate conditional fish model, and to assess available habitats). This was prepared for Venta river basin district and Lielupe river basin district, in each country.

Case study sites and hydrographs for Venta river basin district (Latvia)

Case study sites and hydrographs for Venta river basin district (Lithuania)

Case study sites and hydrographs for Lielupe river basin district (Latvia)

Case study sites and hydrographs for Lielupe river basin district (Lithuania)

List of specific species in Venta river basin district (Latvia)

List of specific species in Venta river basin district (Lithuania)

List of specific species in Lielupe river basin district (Latvia)

List of specific species in Lielupe river basin district (Lithuania)

Hydrographs and lists of specific species, as well as gathered data during field works (First and Second Habitat surveys) were used to prepare First Habitat Survey Report (Venta river basin district) and Second Habitat Survey Report (Lielupe river basin district).

First habitat survey report

Second habitat survey report

In beginning of project for Venta and Lielupe river basin districts were prepared Reviews of hydropower plants influence on water quantity and quality, as well as there was prepared Review of national legislation in the field of water uses.

Review of national legislation in the field of water uses

Review of hydropower plants influence on water quantity and quality in Lielupe river basin districts in LV and LT

Review of hydropower plants influence on water quantity and quality in Venta river basin districts in LV and LT

In summer 2017 was organized intensive training course, led by Polish and Italian scientists on ecological flow estimation, main principles and practices. Most important information is included in Training report. ECOFLOW training report

Bringing neighbours closer

Bringing neighbours closer

Bringing neighbours closer