Sustaining Latvia’s Aquatic Ecosystems – Solutions for Hydrological and Morphological Restoration

The overall aim of the LIFE River Flow is to improve Latvia’s river connectivity and ecosystem functions by reducing impacts and
implementing innovative solutions for hydrological, morphological and ecosystem restoration.

The project specific objectives include:

• restoration of longitudional connectivity of rivers by removing of obstacles and constructing the natural fish passages;
• improvement of lateral connectivity of water bodies; reduction of pressures caused by small HPP;
• enhancing the conservation status and conditions of fish species and habitats of EU significance (river lamprey, Atlantic salmon as well as Habitat 3260);
• development of support tools and mechanisms;
• provision of support to the competent authorities for by evaluation and development of recommendations;
• fostering partnerships, knowledge and dissemination.

The Project addresses hydromorphological pressures identified in RBMP and originating from land or water uses in order to achieve good water status or potential as required by the WFD objectives and attain the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. The demonstration activities will be carried out in 8 water bodies across Latvia (all classified as at risk due to hydromorphological alterations, either as the primary load or one of the contributing loads). The ambition of impacts is to delivernsolutions addressing 3 out of TOP5 identified priority fish migration barriers in the rivers in Latvia. By restoring natural continuity at a total of 1034 km of demo rivers and its tributaries, the project contributes over 4.1% towards the Biodiversity Strategy’s goal of restoring at least 25,000 km of rivers to free-flowing conditions by 2030. There will be improved ecological quality of water bodies (557 km) and at the end of the Project it is expected that there will be improved status of 2 water bodies at risk achieving good WB status.