LLI-449 Improving Governance and Management of Lakes in Kurzeme and North Lithuania (Live Lake)

Project Duration: 01.03.2021 - 31.05.2023

Project ERDF Financing: 834 491,70

Project call: 3rd call

The project involves 10 lakes and one pond in Kurzeme region, Latvia and 3 lakes in Northern Lithuania. Since the lakes are different by type and origin, they also have different management needs and problems. The project addresses lake management problems like flooding and unstable hydrological regimes, overgrowing with reeds and bushes, water quality problems and pollution, safety and navigation. Besides the practical management, there is also a demand from project partners to improve the governance of the lakes, and education of local residents on the issues that are important to save the lake ecosystems.
The project aims to increase efficiency of lake resource management and governance.
Lake exploitation rules are developed for Durbe, Usma, Puze and Sasmaka lakes. Study of pollution in Usma lake provides information about the contamination of the lake. Nature management plan is developed for Tosmare lake. Action Plan for Improvement of Water Quality is developed in Plateliai lake.
Habitat management activities are implemented in Būšenieku, Tosmare lakes and Kirkilai karstic lakes. Reed cutting equipment is purchased and reedland management ensured in Cierere, Remte, Brocēni, Tāšu, Platelieai and Usma lakes. Cleaning of water reservoir ‘Dzirnavu dīķis’ on Tebra river in Aizpute town is done to stop overgrowth and improve ecological conditions. Two local cleaning events are organised in Širvėna lake for picking up the garbage from the lake. Water level loggers for groundwater monitoring are purchased for use in Tosmare and Platelieai lakes. Navigation equipment for Ciecere lake is set up, including buoys and navigation signs. Security camera system for strict protected nature reserve Moricsala in Usma lake will is set up to monitor the Usma lake aquatorium in the Moricsala. Reconstruction of sluices is done in Sasmaka lake.
Educational campaign for limiting the use of phosphorus in the project region is implemented by creating animated movie, application for phones and educational program that is disseminated in schools in the project region for education of children. Also, educational campaign about amphibians is organised in Kurzeme to draw the public’s attention to the disappearance of amphibians (e.g., toads, frogs). Mobile exhibition about the development of lakes and their nature values is organised and exhibited in at least 8 locations. Nature Conservation Agency from Latvia has developed educational programme about waterbody ecosystems (including species identification guides and computer graphics that explain the creation and development of lakes) and offer lessons to schools at the Nature Education Center in Slītere, Liepāja and other places, as well as offer developed methodology to schools for use in biology lessons. Educational room with equipment, interactive game and materials for laboratory is established in Biržai Regional Park as well.
Cross border cooperation for the management or natural resources ensure exchanging information and experiences, as well ensure common platform for education and information activities. As a result, lake areas management and governance is improved. Educational activities included modern technologies to attract interest of younger generation in sustainable use of nature resources and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

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Contacts Project news Social media feeds Partners structure Calendar Project results

Social media and contacts:
Phone: +371 67331492
E-mail: pasts@kurzemesregions.lv
Website: www.kurzemesregions.lv
Address: 4a Valguma Street, Riga, Latvia (Administration office)

29 May 2023

Activities of the LIVE LAKE project are completed

The Interreg Latvia-Lithuania programme project No.LLI-449 “Improving Governance and Management of Lakes in Kurzeme and North Lithuania” (LIVE LAKE) which has been jointly implemented by the Kurzeme planning region and its eight partners for more than two years concludes with an educational seminar on freshwater habitats and lake governance, management and related issues.

A two-day seminar for lake managers was held on May 23-24, at the Hotel USMA SPA in Ventspils County Municipality and gathered more than 50 participants.

The achievements of the partners from Kurzeme and Lithuania involved in the project – various measures to improve the management of lake areas in ten lakes and one reservoir in Kurzeme and three lakes in Northern Lithuania, as well as the educational measures implemented in the project.

Within the LIVE LAKE project, lake exploitation (management) regulations have been developed for several lakes in Kurzeme – Durbe, Usma, Puze and Sasmaka, while a Nature Management Plan has been developed and approved for the Nature Reserve Tosmare. Also, a plan has been developed for Lake Plateliai in Lithuania to improve water quality.

Also, various measures have been taken to improve the management of lakes in both Latvia and Lithuania, including clearing overgrowth, clearing banks of waste, managing reeds, purchasing navigation equipment, installing a system of surveillance cameras and other activities. Biotope management measures have been taken in the lakes of Bušenieku, Tosmare, as well as Kirkilai karstic lakes in Lithuania. Reed cutting equipment has been purchased for Tāši, Ciecere, Remte, Brocēni, Plateliai and Usma lakes and reed management has been started. In order to reduce overgrowth and improve the ecological situation, the cleaning of the Dzirnavu pond on the Tebra River in the town of Aizpute has been carried out. In Lake Sirvena in Lithuania, clean-ups were organized to free the shores from waste. Water level gauges have been purchased and installed for Tosmare and Plateliai lakes to measure ground water level fluctuations. Navigation equipment – buoys and navigation signs – has been installed in Lake Ciecere. A surveillance camera system has been installed in Moritssala Nature Reserve in Usma Lake, as well as equipment has been purchased to ensure monitoring in the water area of Moritzsala in Usma Lake. The locks in Sasmaka Lake have been reconstructed.

In addition to various activities related to lake management, educational events were also held within the project, including an educational campaign in schools to limit the use of phosphorus and nitrogen. An educational campaign about amphibians “Mission – TOAD. Save the prince!” was organized and received a great response among children and young people, and drew public attention to the extinction of amphibians. A traveling mobile exhibition “Life in the lake” has been created about the development of lakes and natural values. Nature Conservation Agency has also created an educational program and methodical materials for introducing to lake ecosystems. An environmental education room with equipment, interactive games and laboratory equipment has been created in the Biržai Regional Park in Lithuania.

As a result of the project, the capacity of the involved partners to manage natural resources has been increased, providing both infrastructure investments and new knowledge, as well as improving the management of lake territories.

Information about the project results is available at Kurzeme Planning Region webpage:

https://www.kurzemesregions.lv/projekti/vides-aizsardziba/live-lake/

Opening of the mobile in-doors exhibition LIFE IN THE LAKE

Slītere National Park Nature Center of Nature Conservation Agency in Latvia invites families with children to the opening of interactive traveling exhibition LIFE IN THE LAKE.

Opening will take place in Šlītere lighthouse (Talsi County, Dundaga municipality) on Sunday September 18 at 11 A.M.

After the opening and visiting the exhibition, everyone is welcomed to visit the Lake Pēterezers nearby where the special lesson about lake inhabitants will take place. Lesson will be guided by the author of the exhibition, hydro-biologist Loreta Urtāne.

“The heroes of this exhibition are the Kurzeme lakes and their various inhabitants. Only by learning, getting to know and understanding them, we will learn to manage the lake in a friendly way and be able to properly protect it. This is what this exhibition is about!” reveals the author of the exhibition, hydrobiologist, representative of the “Udensaina” society, Loreta Urtāne.

The exhibition with 11 informative stands, five different lake cognitive games and tasks will offer to discover the lake’s ecosystem in an exciting way, inviting to better understand the role of the lake and its surroundings as a habitat for aquatic plants, aquatic animals, insects, fish and birds. It will be an opportunity to learn more than one interesting fact about the inhabitants of the lake, see them “in the face” and better remember them. At the exhibition, you will also be able to understand the formation, development, and management possibilities of lakes, gain an insight into their research, as well as the human influence on the development of the lake environment. A special place in the exhibition is dedicated to the Kurzeme lakes.

The exhibition will be on display at the Šlītere lighthouse until October 2, after which it will begin its journey around Kurzeme and North Lithuania. Information about the location of the traveling exhibition will be published on the administration’s website https://www.daba.gov.lv/ , as well as on the https://www.facebook.com/SliteresNacionalaisParks.

Exhibition is created in the project LLI-449 “Improving Governance and Management of Lakes in Kurzeme and North Lithuania” (LIVE LAKE).

Live Lake Project Current Achievements

Partners of the project “Improving Governance and Management of Lakes in Kurzeme and North Lithuania” (LIVE LAKE) have been implementing the planned activities.

Development of lake exploitation rules is onging in four lakes of Kurzeme region – Sasmaka, Usma, Durbe and Puze. Most of them are planned to be elaborated by the end of 2022.

The two biggest investments of the Project are completed. Cleaning of Dzirnavu Pond on Tebra River in Aizpute has been completed in the section from Liepājas Street until the pedestrian bridge at 5B Liepājas Street. During the vegetation period, the Pond was overgrown with aquatic plants. The treatment of dead parts of aquatic plants has a positive effect on species diversity. Sediments, which were 1.2 – 1.5 m thick mineral sediments and sludge mixtures, were taken out, which significantly improved the water quality in the Pond. The value of the river has increased from environment point of view as well as from landscape, health and well-being of the town population as a whole.

Also, reconstruction of the partially collapsed sluices of the Lake Sasmaka has been carried out. The sluices will prevent flooding risks, stabilize the water level, thus providing major contributing to the improvement of the ecosystem status of Lake Sasmaka in the future.

The Latvian Nature Conservation Agency has been implementing habitat management activities in nature reserves “Būšnieku ezera krasts” and “Tosmare”. Also, the Latvian Nature Conservation Agency completed the education campaign for protection of amphibians, as well as started to develop educational programme about coastal lakes.

Within the project, Saldus County Municipality (the former Brocēni Municipality) has purchased reed cutting equipment and ensured reed cutting in Lake Remte, Lake Ciecere, and Lake Brocēnu. Also, Ventspils County Municipality purchased reed cutting equipment and started reed cutting in Lake Usma.

Directorate of Žemaitija National Park has purchased a reed cutter and started manage reedland in Lake Plateliai to reduce the area overgrown due to eutrophication.

Directorate of Žemaitija National Park started to develop Action Plan for Improvement of Water Quality in Lake Lake Plateliai.

Directorate of Žemaitija National Park, in cooperation with Kurzeme Planning Region is preparing to implement education campaign in schools for limiting phosphor and nitrogen use in project region in autumn 2022.

In June 2022 Kurzeme Planning Region organised study visit to Rāzna and Lubāna lakes in Latvia for project partners and other target group representatives. It was a great possibility to introduce with lake management and nature conservation in lakes of Latgale region in Latvia and exchange experience.

Mission – Toad. Save the Prince!

Nature Conservation Agency in Latvia started education campaign about amphibians ‘Mission – Toad. Save the Price!’

Partners of the Live Lake Project take measures to manage lakes

Partners of the project “Improving Governance and Management of Lakes in Kurzeme and North Lithuania” (LIVE LAKE) have started carrying out the planned activities.

Latest Facebook activity - Kurzemes plānošanas reģions

Partners structure

Kurzeme planning region

23. May - 24 May 2023

Educational seminar about governance and management of lakes

Usma, Latvia

21. February - 22 February 2023

Seminar Maintenance, Monitoring and Regulation of Territories

Biržai, Lithuania

09. February - 10 February 2023

FINAL CONFERENCE of LIVE LAKE PROJECT

Paplatelė, Lithuania

18. October - 19 October 2022

Live Lake Project Partner Meeting

Liepāja, Latvia

18. September 2022

Opening of the mobile in-doors exhibition LIFE IN THE LAKE

01. September - 31 December 2022

Education campaign for limiting the use of phosphorus and nitrogen

28. June - 29 June 2022

Study visit to Razna and Lubana lakes in Latvia

28. April 2022

Cleaning event in Širvėna lake

09. April 2022

Cleaning Event in Širvėna Lake

03. February - 30 April 2022

Educational campaign about amphibians ‘Mission – Toad. Save the Prince!’

As a result of the project 5 organisations were supported by strengthening capacities to promote sustainable lake resource governance:

LP Kurzeme Planning Region;
PP6 Ventspils County Municipality;
PP7 Nature Conservation Agency;
PP8 Directorate of Aukštaitija Protected Areas;
PP9 Directorate of Žemaitija National Park.

LP Kurzeme Planning Region organised:

joint study visit to Razna and Lubana lakes in Latvia on 28-29 June, 2022. In the study visit participated 28 participants (22 from Latvia, 6 from Lithuania). Study visit provided possibility to exchange experience, create new useful contacts and obtain information regarding lake management and governance for the target groups.
a two-day educational seminar about lake governance and management on 23-24 May, 2023 in Usma. 51 representatives from target groups from Latvia participated. Target groups were educated about freshwater habitats, their values, protection and management needs in theory as well in practice, experience from Usma and Engure lakes, experience from the Nature Conservation agency from ongoing habitat restoration and management projects. Also, information on lake management and governance – e.g., possible use of sapropel, microplastic problems, water quality problems, findings from other projects, lake governance and actual legislation information regarding public waters in Latvia.
Educational campaign for limiting the use of phosphor where more than 250 children in Kurzeme region learned how phosphor and nitrogen damages lakes and Baltic Sea, how to prevent pollution of lakes.

PP6 Ventspils County Municipality:

purchased reed cutting equipment (reed mower for summer season, two bush cutting sets with inventory and accessories (2 sets), special clothing and shoes) and started reed cutting in 11 ha area in Lake Usma. Reed cutting will decrease the overgrowth with reeds and improve the ecological status of Lake Usma.
developed and endorsed water body exploitation (management) regulations for Lake Usma and Lake Puze. Exploitation regulations will form the basis for the development of binding regulations of Ventspils County municipality. These regulations include also activity plan that will lead to improved environmental status in lakes.

PP7 Nature Conservation Agency:

Completed pollution research in Lake Usma in 20 scattered sample plots, which together cover an area of 1 ha. The purpose of the research was to find out the pollution of the bottom of the lake with household waste created by fishermen, water tourists and other vacationers. In general, the results of the research are better than expected, the pollution with household waste is not large, however, the research was hampered by a thick layer of silt in some places. Results of the research were handed over to the Ventspils County Municipality and were used in the preparation of the water body exploitation (management) regulations for Lake Usma.
Purchased and installed 10 water level loggers in Lake Tosmare (8 pieces) and in Moricsala nature reserve in Lake Usma (2 pieces) for groundwater monitoring. The collected data will be used for the management of the lakes and for research of the ecology and distribution of rare species. Additional equipment was purchased to improve monitoring of the hydrological regime and improve environmental condition of lakes – 2 barometric pressure gauges, a special tablet for reading data outdoors, gasoline ground drill for installing loggers, oxygen meter with a probe.
Ensured habitat management in nature reserve “Būšnieku ezera krasts” included habitat restoration and management in EU protected habitat 7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs in 4,5 ha area.
Ensured habitat management in nature reserve “Tosmare” included habitat restoration and management in EU protected habitat 7230 Alkaline fens on an area of 22.77 ha.
Created a system of security cameras and a drone for the control and monitoring of the territory of the Moricsala nature reserve, including the water area of Lake Usma. The security camera system in combination with a drone will help to improve the quality of monitoring and control of the nature reserve and prevent illegal activities for a long period of time even after the project expires.
Developed and endorsed Nature Management Plan for nature reserve “Tosmare”, that will allow to develop this area, planning the use and protection of the territory for the next 10 years, thus ensuring the territory’s involvement in the tourism flow of the city of Liepāja, as well as determining renewable meadows and swamps.
Created education program for students about the formation of lakes – includes methodical materials, determinants of water plants and amphibians, two computer graphics animation short films about lake ecosystems in Latvian and Lithuanian, research equipment and equipment for outdoor education classes.
Created traveling exhibition on the biological diversity of lakes “Life in the Lake” in the period from September 2022 to May 2023 was exhibited in 11 places in Latvia and 2 places in Lithuania.
Organised educational campaign “Mission – TOAD. Save the prince!”, created methodical material on identification of amphibian migration routes and support measures to save amphibians, and organised volunteer patrol training.
Organized a media trip to the Moricsala nature reserve in Lake Usma, as a result publications in the mass media, information was broadcast on television, radio, and social networks was published about the project and its results.

PP8 Directorate of Aukštaitija Protected Areas:

Organised two cleaning events in Širvėna lake shores and islands for picking up the garbage from the lake.
Purchased and set up barriers in Kirkilai karstic lakes, consisting of wooden fences on the edges of sinkholes, and metal folding barrier to stop cars using path and causing unsafe condition for visitors.
Ensured habitat management of Kirkilai karstic lakes – cutting and removal of trees (deadwood, diseased) from the lakes protective strip, extraction and removal of drought trees from water, cutting and removal of meadow grass (4 ha), cutting and removal of bushes (3 ha).
Purchased bush cutters with inventory and accessories for cutting grass, reeds and small bushes 3-4 times a year in several areas in Biržai Regional Park.
Created educational room with equipment and content for environment education in Biržai Regional Park.
Organised two days training seminar “Maintenance, monitoring and regulation of territories” in Biržai on February 21-22, 2023, 33 participants from the target groups.

PP9 Directorate of Žemaitija National Park:

Developed and endorsed Action Plan to Improve Water Quality in Lake Plateliai, based on research of lake water quality.
Purchased reed mower and bush cutting sets and started cut reeds and bushes in the Lake Plateliai in the area of 7 ha to take nutrients out of the lake.
Developed and implemented educational campaign for limiting the use of phosphor, where more than 250 children in Lithuania learned how phosphor and nitrogen damages lakes and Baltic Sea, how to prevent pollution of lakes.
Purchased water level meters to monitor water level in swamp which connects to Lake Plateliai. Swamp ecosystem near the lake is very important, because swamp block the way for nutrients to enter the lake. 3 water level meters were installed to monitor water level in different parts of swamp.
Purchased underwater drone to monitor plants and inspect illegal fishing equipment in Lake Plateliai.
Organized final conference of the project in Plateliai on 9-10 February, 2022. During conference presentations were given on how to communicate about nature protection, global impact of climate change to lakes eutrophication, about action plan to improve water quality and LIFEIP GoodWater project. There were 74 participants from Latvia and Lithuania in the project final conference.

As a result of the project 3 organisations were supported by building/improving of green infrastructure and purchasing equipment in order to increase efficiency of environmental resource management:

PP3 Saldus County Municipality;
PP5 Talsi County Municipality;
PP10 Dienvidkurzeme County Municipality.

PP3 Saldus County Municipality:

Installed navigation signs and buoys in the Lake Ciecere for regulating the use of areas according to lake exploitation plan and limiting movement of motorized vehicles thus improving the environment conditions in Lake Ciecere, also improving safety on the water according to lake exploitation rules.
Purchased reed mower set for mowing reeds in summer season and started reed cutting in Lake Remte (0,63 ha area), Lake Brocēnu (2,29 ha area) and Lake Ciecere (4,79 ha area) to improve environment conditions in lakes.

PP5 Talsi County Municipality:

Reconstructed sluices of Lake Sasmaka that will prevent flooding risks, stabilize water level, thus providing major contribution to the improvement of the ecosystem status of Lake Sasmaka in the future.
Developed and endorsed water body exploitation (management) regulations for Lake Sasmaka. These regulations include also activity plan that will lead to improved environmental status in lake.

PP10 Dienvidkurzeme County Municipality:

Cleaned water reservoir “Dzirnavu dīķis” on Tebra River in Aizpute town – the total area cleaned – 3 ha, amount of sediments taken out – 36400m. The treatment of dead parts of aquatic plants has a positive effect on species diversity. Sediments, which were 1.2 – 1.5 m thick mineral sediments and sludge mixtures, were taken out, which significantly improved the water quality in the pond. The value of the river has increased from environment point of view as well as from landscape, health and well-being of the town population as a whole.
Purchased reed mower set for mowing reeds in summer season in Lake Tāšu.
Developed and endorsed water body exploitation (management) regulations for Lake Durbe. These regulations include also activity plan that will lead to improved environmental status in lake.

Altogether Live Lake project activities have been implemented in 13 lakes and 1 water reservoir (11 in Kurzeme region and 3 in Northern Lithuania) – lakes Durbe, Usma, Puze, Sasmaka, Būšenieku, Tosmare, Tāšu, Ciecere, Remte, Brocēni, Platelieai, Širvena and Kirkilai karstic lakes, and Dzirnavu water reserviour on Tebra River in Aizpute.

Project main outputs – elaborated documents, developed publications and digital materials are available at web sites of partners:

https://www.kurzemesregions.lv/projekti/vides-aizsardziba/live-lake/

https://www.saldus.lv/pasvaldiba/projekti/posts/ezeru-parvaldiba-un-apsaimniekosana-kurzeme-un-ziemellietuva-improving-governance-and-management-of-lakes-in-kurzeme-and-north-lithuania/

https://www.talsunovads.lv/lv/projekts/ezeru-parvaldiba-un-apsaimniekosana-kurzeme-un-ziemellietuva-live-lake

https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/projekts/live-lake

https://ventspilsnovads.lv/category/projekti/live_lake/

https://birzuparkas.lt/live-lake-kurzemes-ir-siaures-lietuvos-ezeru-valdymo-bei-prieziuros-tobulinimas-nr-lli-449/

http://zemaitijosnp.lt/saugome/lii-449-kurzemes-ir-siaures-lietuvos-ezeru-valdymo-bei-prieziuros-tobulinimas-live-lake/

https://www.dkn.lv/lv/projekts/lli-449-ezeru-parvaldiba-un-apsaimniekosana-kurzeme-un-ziemellietuva-live-lake