On 11 September, LIFE RiverFlow project partners took part in a river restoration event on the Mazā Jugla River near Suntaži, organised by Latvenergo and WWF Latvia. Together, they contributed to ongoing efforts to clear excessive accumulations of woody debris along an approximately 12-kilometre stretch of the river. The restoration work is being carried out by the association “Mēs – zivīm” on behalf of Latvenergo.
As the LIFE RiverFlow project progresses, we will be sharing more about practical river restoration activities. This time, we invite you to take a closer look at the work itself and see how expert knowledge, practical experience and collective effort can come together to help restore a river’s natural processes and improve its free flow.
The location near Suntaži was not chosen at random. BIOR experts had assessed an accumulation of woody debris in this particular section of the Mazā Jugla river and identified it as requiring intervention. The accumulation was blocking most of the river channel, restricting water flow and sediment transport, as well as fish passage. During the event, a substantial part of the woody debris was therefore removed, restoring the river’s flow while leaving part of the natural structure and habitat undisturbed.
Fallen trees and naturally occurring woody debris are not harmful in themselves. On the contrary, they are an important part of a healthy river ecosystem, providing shelter for fish, creating a variety of habitats and contributing to the natural diversity of the river channel. Intervention is needed when an accumulation significantly obstructs the river channel and interferes with water flow, sediment transport or fish passage. This is why expert assessment is essential before carrying out this type of restoration work.
What did we accomplish?
The larger pieces of wood were cut into manageable sections, and some of the material was moved onto the riverbank outside the flood-prone area. Participants worked together in human chains to move the material. Over the course of the day, the river’s flow through the affected section was restored.
As water levels rise following heavy rainfall or during periods of high flow, the current will continue to rearrange the branches and woody material left in the channel. This will allow natural river processes to continue shaping the riverbed and contribute to a more diverse and natural river habitat.
Make sure volunteers have the right equipment!
When organising a river restoration event, it is essential to consider both the safety and comfort of everyone involved. The organisers provided all the necessary equipment, including chainsaws and appropriate protective gear for chainsaw operators. Volunteers were provided with high-visibility safety vests and gloves, as well as chest waders for those working directly in the Mazā Jugla River.
When planning this type of event, it is also important to provide drinking water and consider other essentials such as sunscreen, safety glasses and hats, as well as mosquito and tick repellents.
Our September event was only a small part of a much broader restoration effort on the Mazā Jugla River. Under the coordination of Latvenergo, the association “Mēs - zivīm” is working this year along an approximately 12 kilometer stretch of the river to reduce the impact of excessive accumulations of woody debris and help restore water flow, sediment transport and the movement of fish and other aquatic organisms. The initiative was developed by LIFE RiverFlow project partner Latvenergo, which aims not only to improve the ecological condition of this particular stretch of river, but also to make a practical contribution to river restoration in Latvia.
We also encourage other organisations and companies wishing to contribute to river restoration to explore opportunities to get involved and support initiatives that help improve the ecological condition and free flow of rivers. Such activities are regularly organised by WWF Latvia, as well as by the Nature Conservation Agency in cooperation with WWF Latvia through the “Daru labu dabai” (“Doing Good for Nature”) initiative.
Want to help your local river? First find out whether it actually needs your help!
If you come across a large accumulation of woody debris or a location where a river appears to no longer flow freely, the first step should be to consult experts and find out whether intervention at that particular site would actually benefit the river.
