LLI-533 Joint management of Latvian – Lithuanian transboundary river and lake water bodies (TRANSWAT)

Project Duration: 01.10.2020 - 30.09.2022

Project ERDF Financing: € 598 395.66

Project call: 3rd call

Achievement of good ecological and chemical status of water are main objectives of EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Implementation of more effective measures in water bodies is the way to meet these objectives and improve water quality. As water cannot be divided by human drawn boundaries such as country borders, management of shared water bodies must be a joint effort.

The aim of TRANSWAT project is to ensure joint assessment and management of trans-boundary river and lake water bodies which hydromorphological and/or ecological quality pose a risk for not meeting WFD’s requirements.

Three trans-boundary river basins (Venta, Lielupe and part of Daugava/Dauguva) are covered by this Program area where ecological status of many river and lake water bodies is below “good”. Moreover, some river bodies are designated as “heavily modified” due to substantially altered natural conditions – the result of flow regime regulation by Hydro Power Plants (HPPs) cascades. Right now mainly in Latvia lakes located on cross-border area between Latvia and Lithuania are delineated as water bodies. Consequently, water quality monitoring and pressure analysis of these lakes is carried out primarily on Latvian side.

Project addresses two main components: (1) assessment and management of rivers affected by HPP’s cascades and (2) estimation and management of trans-boundary lakes ecological status and ecosystem health.

First component covers evaluation of ecological flow (E-flow) in trans-boundary rivers regulated by HPPs cascades within Venta River Basin and proposal of amendment to national water legislation for mitigation of impacts created by such river flow regulation. During the field surveys hydomorphological and fish data are collected for E-flow modelling needs in Lithuania (Varduva River, 5 HPPs) and Latvia (Losis River, 2 HPPs and Ciecere River, 3 HPPs). After, the most popular model for E-flow calculations in line with WFD’s requirements (MesoHABSIM) is used. TRANSWAT project uses previously developed harmonized approach for E-flow modeling from Interreg Latvia-Lithuania project “ECOFLOW”. As well the project performs E-flow calculations in web-based modelling platform which is created by LIFE GoodWater IP project. Based on E-flow assessment results, the modeling of HPP operations in cascade is done using HEC-RAS model to ensure the ecological regime downstream of each HPP and sustainable water recourse management in general. Finally, an amendment to national water legislation for mitigation of impacts created by river flow regulation is proposed based on developed results and recommendations.

Second component assesses ecological status of five trans-boundary lakes located in Lielupe and Daugava/Dauguva river basins. Three lakes are a part of NATURA 2000 network. New data are gathered during water quality and quantity monitoring, and detailed biological and fish surveys. Then, combining new data with in depth analysis of lake catchments (such as assessment of surface-groundwater interaction and source apportionment modeling) the ecological status of five lakes is evaluated. As well new joint methodology for lake ecosystem health assessment is developed and then tested in pilot area. Finally, harmonized Latvia-Lithuania monitoring program (MP) and Program of Measures (PoM) are established to ensure sustainability of project results and further improvement of water quality.

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

19 July 2022

Project Experts meetings

Two Project Experts meetings were organised by Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre in 16-17 June 2022 by Lithuanian Energy Institute in 4-5 July 2022.

The program of the first Expert meeting at Engure (Latvia) included planned Stakeholders meetings issues. Agendas of two meetings in Latvia (on regulated rivers and transboundary lakes problems) and one combined meeting in Lithuania have been prepared. Additionally experts discussed the harmonization of national method on lake ecological quality assessment and the common LT-LV Monitoring Program development.

The second Expert meeting on main project outputs was held in Plunge (Lithuania). The draft versions of 3 project outputs (Report of E-flow regime modelling for HPPs cascades, Report of the ecological status of transboundary lakes and Recommendations for the amendment to national water legislations regarding HPPs cascades management) were discussed.

Training Course of the MesoHABSIM web platform

The Training Course on the new applications of the MesoHABSIM model was organised by Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre in 7-8 June 2022.
In the Training Course participated LIFE GOODWATER and TRANSWAT LLI-533 projects’ experts from Latvia (Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre and Institute BIOR) and Lithuania (Lithuanian Energy Institute and Nature Research Centre), which are involved in hydromorphological pressure assessments and ecological flow calculations for rivers regulated by HPPs.
The Simstream-Web platform has been developed by Italian scientists from Torino Polytechnic University (manager – Paolo Vezza, professor).
The Simstream web modelling platform will be free available to any users. It is combined with an easy-to-use interface that allows simulate the river habitat for the freshwater organisms.
Simstream-Web is a Web service available online:https://mesohabsim.isprambiente.it/
This service generates special habitat maps in SHP format, habitat-water runoff rating curves, and habitat time series (annual habitat changes).
The Habitat Integrity Index (IH) as a result of habitat simulation is related to the ecological quality of the river and allows to assess the ecological status of water bodies.

TRANSWAT project expedition, March

For a long time, natural conditions prevented TRANSWAT project experts (V. Šarauskienė, D. Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, S. Nazarenko) from removing water level sensors from a flooded river. After the flood subsided, we finally managed to do it. Researchers will now be able to see the impact of the hydropower cascade on water level fluctuations in the Varduva River.

The experts of the TRANSWAT project performed the last expedition of discharge measurements in the tributaries of Ilgė lake

The experts of the TRANSWAT project (V. Akstinas, D. Jakimavičius and S. Nazarenko. Lithuanian energy institute) performed the last expedition of discharge measurements in the tributaries of Ilgė lake (Rokiškis District Municipality) on February 21-23, 2022. The extremely high water levels were obtained in the inflow and outflow of the lake. Such favourable hydrological conditions helped to estimate the maximum amplitude of fluctuations of hydrological indicators during the season of 2021/2022.

The experts of the TRANSWAT project did an expedition on discharge measurements in the tributaries of Ilgė Lake

On January 11-13 of this year, the experts of the TRANSWAT project (V. Akstinas, D. Jakimavičius and S. Nazarenko) did an expedition on discharge measurements in the tributaries of Ilgė Lake (Rokiškis District Municipality). Due to the prevailing humidity together with the intensive rainfall, the surface water bodies was significantly fed by surface runoff. Therefore, it was decided to perform hydrological measurements in order to evaluate how these conditions affected the water level of Ilgė Lake and the balance between the inflow and outflow tributaries.

The experts of the TRANSWAT project went on an expedition

On November 22-26, 2021, the project experts (Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, Vytautas Akstinas, Darius Jakimavičius and Serhii Nazarenko) went on an expedition, during which the river hydromorphology and discharges in different sections of the Varduva River and the Kviste River were measured.

TRANSWAT project expedition on the Varduva river

TRANSWAT Project experts from Lithuanian Energy Institute Vytautas Akstinas, Darius Jakimavičius and Project Communication Specialist Simonas Mikalauskis on September 14-16, 2021 went on an expedition, during which the flow rates in different sections of the Varduva River and the Kviste River were measured.

The aim of TRANSWAT project is to ensure joint assessment and management of trans-boundary river and lake water bodies which hydromorphological and/or ecological quality pose a risk for not meeting the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) requirements.

The Mid-term results of the TRANSWAT project were presented at the Institute

The two-day long TRANSWAT (LLI-533) project seminar took place at the Lithuanian Energy Institute, during which the Mid-term results of the project were presented.

Expedition of scientists of the Laboratory of Hydrology

On August 2-6th and 16-20th, the scientists of the LEI Hydrology Laboratory went to study the hydromorphology of the Varduva River and perform the measurements required to create a hydrodynamic model of the Varduva River.

In May, TRANSWAT project experts conducted two expeditions

On May 5-7th TRANSWAT project experts from Lithuanian Energy Institute (V. Akstinas, D. Jakimavičius and S. Nazarenko) went on an expedition during which hydrological measurements of the tributaries of Lake Ilgė (Rokiškis district) were carried out in order to measure the water circulation and the balance between the inflow and outflow of water. To do this, during the expedition, the flow of inlet and outlet streams is measured and the water surface level of the lake is recorded.

On May 10-14th project experts (V. Akstinas, D. Jakimavičius, D. Meilutytė-Lukauskienė and S. Nazarenko) went on another expedition during which scientists measured the flow in different sections of the Varduvė and Kvistė rivers and measured the bathymetry of four HPP ponds.

TRANSWAT expedition of Lithuanian Energy Institutes’ Hydrology Laboratory scientists

During the TRANSWAT project expedition, which is taking place these days, hydrological measurements of the tributaries of Lake Ilgė (Rokiškis district) are carried out in order to measure the water circulation and the balance between the inflow and outflow of water. To do this, during the expedition, the flow of inlet and outlet streams is measured and the water surface level of the lake is recorded.

LEI Hydrology Laboratory has purchased a drone for aerial mapping work

Hydromorphological research can be performed in a variety of ways. Assessment of river sections can also be performed with modern aerial vehicles – drones. Therefore, in order to optimize and accelerate hydromorphological research in the Varduva River, within the framework of the TRANSWAT project, a drone was purchased for aerial mapping works. On March 8-9, TRANSWAT project experts Vytautas Akstinas and Darius Jakimavičius participated in a two-day training session, during which they were introduced to the basics of drone control, flight planning and processing of collected visual material, as well as tested the acquired theoretical knowledge in practice.

Researchers from LEI Hydrology Laboratory started the spring with an expedition

Researchers from Lithuanian Energy Institute’s Hydrology Laboratory started the spring with an expedition of the TRANSWAT project. On March 1-3, 2021, the project experts Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, Vytautas Akstinas and Serhii Nazarenko went on an expedition, during which the spring flood was measured in different sections of the Varduva and Kviste rivers.

First Habitat Surveys on Ciecere and Losis rivers in Latvia

The first Habitat survey of four planned on Losis River has been carried out during 19-21 October 2020 Hydrological measurements and river habitats mapping were conducted downstream Grantini and Lejnieki HPPs operated in cascade regime. In accordance with work plan it has to be the survey in presence of minimum flow in the low flow period. However during the survey downstream Grantini HPP water was released through HPP turbines. As a result habitats were mapped for average water discharge. In a next day measurements and habitat mapping have been repeated downstream Grantini HPP for low flow conditions.

On Ciecere River the Habitat survey has been carried out 11-13 November 2020. Hydrological measurements and river habitats mapping were conducted in three river stretches downstream Ciecere, Dzirnavnieki and Pakuli HPPs. It was first Habitat survey in presence of minimum water discharge in low flow period.

Initial Survey

The Initial Survey has been carried out on Ciecere and Losis rivers in order to select measurements sites in 15 October 2020.

As a result 3 places have been selected on Ciecere River for water level and water discharge measurements: upstream Ciecere HPP nearby lake Ciecere, between Ciecere and Dzirnavnieki HPPs in Saldus town and downstream Dzirnavnieki HPP. On Losis River has been selected 3 places as well: upstream Grantini HPP, between Grantini and Lejnieki HPPs and downstream Lejnieki HPP. Water level data loggers will be install in all above mentioned places.

Media about the TRANSWAT project: Researchers have begun to investigate whether small hydropower plants in Lithuania do more harm than good

The article in Lithuanian language: https://www.15min.lt/mokslasit/straipsnis/laboratorija/mokslininkai-emesi-tirti-ar-mazosios-hidroelektrines-lietuvoje-daro-daugiau-zalos-nei-naudos-650-1431604

TRANSWAT project’s researchers ended the year with another expedition

The hydrological measurements of the TRANSWAT project take place both in winter and at night!

On December 14-16, 2020, the project experts (Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, Vytautas Akstinas and Serhii Nazarenko) from LEI went on an expedition, during which the flow rates in different sections of the Varduva River and the Kviste River were measured.

Project experts from LEI surveyed Varduva and Kvistė rivers

During 16-20th of November, project experts (Vytautas Akstinas, Darius Jakimavičius, Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, and Serhii Nazarenko) participated in the field survey. The water level loggers were installed in different segments of the Varduva and Kvistė rivers.

Additionally, the barologgers were used in order to compensate the fluctuations of atmospheric pressure in the water level measurements. The multi-annual characteristics of the Varduva River runoff were observed only in the period 1956-1973, therefore these works are necessary for the determination of current runoff characteristics of this river since the Varduva River is strongly affected by the cascades of five hydropower plants. Accordingly, it is important to evaluate how the runoff characteristics had changed under the influence of mentioned hydropower plants.

Project experts from LEI surveyed Ilgė, Laukesa, Šalna, Kampiniškiai, and Skirnas lakes

On November 4-5, 2020, the first expedition to the selected lakes was organised. The project experts (Jūratė Kriaučiūnienė, Diana Šarauskienė, Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, Vytautas Akstinas, Aldona Jurgelėnaitė, and Darius Jakimavičius) from Lithuanian Energy Institute surveyed Ilgė, Laukesa, Šalna, Kampiniškiai, and Skirnas lakes. During this expedition, river outflow and inflow from/to the lakes were evaluated, and the most significant tributaries were selected for more detailed investigation. The Laukesa River that flows through Lake Laukesa and forms the natural border between Lithuania and Latvia has been chosen for the close field examination of its hydrological regime.

LEI scientists organised the first expedition of TRANSWAT project

On October 26-27, 2020, the first expedition (survey of a case study) was organised. The Interreg project’s Nr. LLI-533 “Joint management of Latvian – Lithuanian transboundary river and lake water bodies” (TRANSWAT) experts (Jūratė Kriaučiūnienė, Diana Šarauskienė, Diana Meilutytė-Lukauskienė, Vytautas Akstinas, Aldona Jurgelėnaitė, and Serhii Nazarenko) from the Lithuanian Energy Institute together with the project expert Tomas Virbickas (Nature Research Center) visited different reaches of the Varduva River.

This river was selected to investigate because of its vulnerability due to intensive anthropogenic activities in the river catchment. As many as five small hydropower plants are built and form a cascading regulation in the Varduva River. To implement one of the TRANSWAT project objectives (to assess and sustainably manage the water resources of rivers regulated by hydroelectric cascades), the experts identified representative reaches of the river for hydrological, hydromorphological, and ecological surveys during further project activities.

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Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre

07. September - 08 September 2021

TRANSWAT (LLI-533) Mid-term Workshop

Kaunas, Lithuania

Sustainable water resources

The main objective of the EU Water Framework Directive is good ecological status of all water bodies and it requires more effective measures to improve water quality. Unfortunately, several water bodies in Latvia and Lithuania have a lower than good ecological quality but some of them are significantly affected by fluctuations in water levels caused by hydroelectric power plants cascades. Lakes, which are located on the LV-LT border, are mainly designated as water bodies only in Latvia, so water quality monitoring are mostly carried out on the sites of Latvia.

The project contributed to the co-operation between Latvian and Lithuanian scientists, municipalities and responsible state institutions in the improvement of water quality. Thus, as Latvian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development as Lithuanian Environment Protection Agency activated process of changing some Water Use Acts in both countries. Project collected actual information about lake ecological status that allowed to develop the harmonised Latvian-Lithuanian Program of Measures.

Project developed the innovative approach in Latvia and Lithuania to estimate the ecological regime for rivers regulated by HPP cascades. It assessed the ecosystem health of 5 transboundary lakes: Ilzu(Garais)/Ilģe, Kumpinišku / Kampiniskiai, Galiņu/Salna, Laucesas/Laukesas un Skirnas.

Environment Protection Agency of the Republic of Lithuania approved the selection of lake water bodies including 4 transboundary lakes in a List (Ilzu(Garais)/Ilģe, Kumpinišku / Kampiniskiai, Galiņu/Salna un Skirnas) and to the River Basin Management Plans of Lithuania for 2022-2027.

Project developed:

A two-day stakeholders’ workshop was organized in the municipality of Daugavpils to discuss the results of the project in the lake water management on 29-30.08.2022. 42 experts from Augsdaugava Regional Authority, Environment Protection Agency, State Environmental Service, Daugavpils University and project institutions participated in that workshop. It included the study visit to one of the project lakes, where sampling methods of different lake ecological quality elements were demonstrated. Another stakeholders’ workshop was organized in the municipality of Saldus on 13.09.2022 to discuss the results of the project regarding the E-flow regime in regulated rivers. In the workshop participated Saldus Region Authority, Saldus municipality, State Environmental Service, Dzirnavu HPP owners, Kurzeme Planing Region, local administrations from Navdnieki, Zirnu Jaunlutrini un Nigrande parishes. In Lithuania the stakeholders’ meeting to present the project results was organized online. During final conference of the project that was held at the University of Latvia in Riga on 06.09.2022, the results of the project were discussed and scientific information was exchanged. It was attended by 62 participants from both countries.

Here following reports can be found:

River Habitat survey Report
Report of E-flow regime modelling for HPPs cascades prepared in English and translated to Latvian
LV-LT Recommendations for the amendment to national water legislations
Methodology of lake ecosystem health assessment prepared in English and translated to Latvian
Lake ecological status
Conceptual model of surface – groundwater interaction
Risk assessment of surface and groundwater interaction
Report on Ilzu(Garais)/Ilge Lake ecosystem health
Report of the ecological status of transboundary lakes prepared in English and translated to Latvian
Report of the Source apportionment of nutrient loads
Report about Lake residual time
Manual of SimStream Web platform
Bathymetric maps of transboundary lakes (pdf, shp and kml files)

https://bior.lv/lv/latvijas-lietuvas-parrobezu-ezeru-kartografija

Harmonized LV-LT Lake Monitoring Program
Harmonized LV-LT Program of Measures
List of the most effective measure for heavily regulated river water bodies

More detailed information about the project’s outputs and project’s events is provided on project partners’ websites:

– Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, LEGMC: https://videscentrs.lvgmc.lv/iebuvets/projekts-latvijas-lietuvas-parrobezu-upju-un-ezeru-udens-baseinu-vienota-parvaldiba
– Lithuanian Energy Institute, LEI (lei.lt), project website: http://www.lei.lt/wp-sub/ecoflow/lt/
– University of Latvia, LU: https://lubi.lu.lv/par-mums/zinas/zina/t/73443/
Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment, BIOR: https://bior.lv/lv/instituta-bior-zivju-resursu-petniecibas-departamenta-petnieki-veic-zivju-uzskaiti-projekta-udenstilpes
Lithuanian Nature Research Centre, NRC: http://www.gamtostyrimai.lt/lt/projects/tarptautiniai-mokslo-projektai/interreg

Study visit to Laucesas/Laukesas Lake during Stakeholder’ workshop, 30.08.2022

Study visit to Laucesas/Laukesas Lake during Stakeholder’ workshop. Macrophyte sample demonstration, 30.08.2022.

Explanation of fish sampling from BIOR expert, Study visit to Laucesas/Laukesas Lake, 30.08.2022

Stakeholder’ workshop in Saldus, 13.09.2022

Project Final Conference at University of Latvia, 06.09.2022