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What we do

LIFE RiverFlow implements activities across three directions — obstacle removal, habitat restoration and support tool development. Each direction is essential to restoring Latvia's river ecosystems and ensuring lasting results.

Action directions and activities

The project works across three parallel directions — obstacle removal, habitat restoration and sustainability.

Obstacles

Removing outdated dams and barriers, constructing fishways and reducing HPP impacts — so rivers flow freely again.

Habitats

Restoring fish populations, creating wetlands and protecting Natura 2000 habitats — so river life returns.

Support

Digital tools, financial mechanisms and legislation — so restoration work continues beyond the project.

Completed In progress Planned
ObstaclesIn progress

Obstacle Removal

Identify and remove obsolete obstacles in Latvian rivers to restore fish migration routes and improve hydromorphological status. The project plans to remove 12 obstacles.

ObstaclesNot started

Fishway Construction

Design and construct new fish passages at existing dams to enable free movement of fish and other aquatic organisms along rivers. 2 new fishways are planned.

ObstaclesNot started

BESS Water Level System

Implement battery energy storage systems (BESS) for water level regulation to mitigate the impact of hydroelectric power plant operations on river ecosystems and stabilise water levels.

HabitatsNot started

Salmon and Lamprey Reintroduction

Restore salmon and lamprey populations in Latvian rivers through artificial propagation and natural habitat restoration at spawning sites.

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HabitatsNot started

Nutrient Reduction

Reduce nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) inflows into rivers using natural treatment solutions and improvements in agricultural practices.

HabitatsNot started

Wetland Creation

Create and restore wetland ecosystems in river floodplains to improve water quality, reduce flood risks, and increase biodiversity.

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HabitatsNot started

Natura 2000 Protection

Ensure effective management and protection of Natura 2000 sites by developing and implementing management plans for the conservation of river ecosystems.

SupportIn progress

Digital Tools

Develop and implement digital tools for river ecosystem monitoring, data visualisation, and decision-making support.

SupportNot started

Financial Mechanisms

Develop sustainable financial mechanisms for river ecosystem management and restoration after the project ends.

SupportNot started

Legislation

Prepare proposals for improving the legal framework to promote the protection and restoration of river ecosystems in Latvia.

SupportIn progress

Monitoring

Regular data collection and monitoring of the situation in demonstration sites to keep track of changes after the project's activities are implemented.

SupportNot started

Sustainability and result transfer

Project's solutions continue to provide benefits even after the project ends and serve as an example for their implementation elsewhere.

HabitatsNot started

Detail impact assessment

A detailed impact assessment using monitoring data analyzes the effects of project activities on the environment and evaluates the significance of the achieved results.

SupportNot started

River catchment area action plan

Development of an Integrated Action Plan for the Iecava River Basin to Achieve Good Ecological Water Status

HabitatsNot started

Construction of sedimentation basin

Retention of sediments and nutrients close to the area of origin and before water discharge in recipient water bodies.

HabitatsNot started

Construction of controlled drainage system

Allows to accumulate water and nutrients in the area managed by a water level control structure thus reducing undesirable water and nutrient losses into the next sections of hydrographic network.

Project Timeline

Completed In progress Planned

Project launch

Completed

September 2025

LIFE RiverFlow project officially launched.

Pilot site assessment

In progress

May 2026

Initial assessment of 8 pilot sites.

First community cleanup

Planned

June 2026

Community engagement at Mazā Jugla.

Project completion

Planned

August 2030

Final project evaluation and completion.

Where

8 pilot territories across Latvia

Each river has specific activities tailored to its unique needs and ecological status.

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Learn more about the project

LIFE RiverFlow restores Latvia's river ecosystems — removing barriers, reconnecting fragmented rivers and building nature-friendly fish passages so rivers can flow freely again.