Living Rivers – Implementation of the Water Plan of Slovakia in selected basins

Narrative

The project is focused on the implementation of the Water Plan of Slovakia within the Danube, Hron, Ipeľ and Belá river basins. The goal is to ensure good ecological status / good ecological potential (GES / GEP) of waters in 10 water bodies and thus improve a total of 344 km of water courses through hydromorphological measures, appropriate care of protected areas, restoration of floodplain forests and non-forest habitats and ensuring the removal of barriers to migration fish and strengthening their populations. Design and implementation of measures based on natural solutions and principles of green infrastructure, which increase climate resistance, water retention in the basin, increase biodiversity and reduce the risk of floods. 1. A demonstration of the necessary step-by-step procedures leading to a successful, cost-effective and sustainable restoration, be it preparatory activities, stakeholder engagement, detailed monitoring, preparation of detailed technical documentation, obtaining permits and completing the necessary legislative procedures. 2. Restoring the longitudinal connectivity of selected water bodies by removing or reconstructing barriers, restoring the continuity of sediment transport, including sediment management, improving the hydraulic, morphological and ecological effects of existing structures in the riverbed (barriers, shoots, etc.) 3. Restoring the lateral connectivity of the main riverbed with its floodplains by connecting lateral arms and restoring natural riverbanks, restoring wetlands and backwaters as natural retention areas with a direct impact on groundwater retention, which would lead to an improvement in the diversity of habitats in the riverbed, its floodplains and better conditions for lateral migration and spawning of ichthyofauna 4. Improvement of the hydrological regime and flow dynamics of target rivers 5. Restoration of degraded natural ecosystems and natural populations of fish species: – improving the natural reproduction of native endangered and vulnerable fish species - restoration of wild populations of original protected rheophilic fish (sturgeon) using in situ methods, adoption of new methods for researching the early stages of fish and their adoption for the conditions of the Danube River in Slovakia 6. Implementation of land, wetland and forest management practices in territories of European importance and protected bird territories dependent on water, restoration of vegetation cover on riverbanks and in floodplains 7. Targeted monitoring and implementation of several innovative monitoring methods, e.g. screening of emerging substances in surface water pollution, telemetric surveys of the Danube's passage for fish, monitoring of ichthyoplankton with collection nets, biodiversity survey using DNA analysis (DNA metabarcoding) of both environmental (water) and large-volume samples (benthos), continuous monitoring of fine sediments based on ultrasound probes, establishment of a hydrological monitoring network with automatic data transmission based on IoT (Internet of Things), mapping by drones, mapping of vegetation cover using remote sensing tools, etc. 8. Use of project results, replication of actions in other regions within the Danube and Vistula basin in Slovakia, transfer of knowledge, education, cooperation and participation of public organizations and stakeholders in water management planning and implementation of relevant plans 9. Raising awareness and public acceptance of nature-friendly solutions and revitalization activities by promoting the necessity of increasing biodiversity and resilience to climate change 10. Mobilization and coordination of additional funds leading to the full implementation of the water plan

Financial data

Budget: €27,799,402.33 Contribution of the European Commission: €16,677,07339

Recommendations

The project is a good example of cooperation between the state administration and the third sector in the implementation of a complex nationwide issue