Narew river restoration project

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Narew river restoration project


Factsheet: Narew river restoration project

General
Country PL
River Name Narew
Site Name Narew river restoration project
River Characterisation
    River typology
    Location (Lat Lon) 53.150005, 22.8716193
    Altitude lowland: < 200 m
    Catchment area very large: > 10000 km2
    Geology Organic
    National code/
    River type name
    Hydromorphological quality elements

    Biological quality elements
    Ecosystem Services
    EU Directives
    Pressures
    Measures
    Other
    Project size 13.4 km2
    Approximate costs 100 000 - 1 000 000 Euros
    Synergy recreation, agriculture, increase biodiversity, water quality improvement
    Status Realised
    Period of realization 1995 - present
    Evaluation Hydromorphological and ecological changes
    Implemented by Polish Society for Bird Protection


    Key features of the case study

    The Narew river restoration project concentrates on the area of the buffer zone of Narew National Park (NPN). NPN was created in 1996. Narew valley between Suraż village and Żółtki village (area of the NPN and its buffer zone) was fully natural area until implementation of hydrotechnical works that were carried out in the Narew valley from 1960 until 1980. Prior the regulation, the Narew river was of anastomosing character along entire length of this stretch. The main aim of the restoration project was protection of environment in Marshy Valley of the Narew (Natura 2000 site code PLB200001) with a special consideration of hydrological conditions and integrated program of economic development. The work proceeded in stages and focuses on restoring an anastomosing system of Narew river downstream of the NPN in its buffer zone.

    Site description

    Particular conditions of the site: size, river type, type of pressures, ecological status, etc.

    Narew river is located in North-east Poland. Narew is a large lowland river with catchment area exceeding 28 000km2 (up to gauge station in Zambski Kościelne) and length reaching almost 500km. It is the fifth biggest river in Poland. The restored part of the river is located in the upper part of the catchment, between Rzędziany-Pańki levee and the road bridge in Żółtki village in podlaskie voivodeship. In this stretch the Narew river is classified as type 24 Small and medium size river in the area influenced by peat forming process, according to the national river typology. The area of the restored site is 13.4 km2. On this area, the following habitat and vegetation transformations, resulted from river valley reclamation works, were observed:

    • drying out and disappearance of old river beds
    • changes in the species composition and disappearance of mesotrophic rushes Caricetum elatae, strictly connected with long-term flooded fens
    • increase of the number and size of the area of expansive plants species as Calystegia sepinum, Phalaris arundinacea, Urtica dioica, Phragmites australis
    • expansion of the invasive species Echinocystis lobata
    • increase size of the area of extremely poor in species aggregation of Phragmites australis and Urtica dioica
    • decrease of mesotrophic grasslands areas
    • increase of the area of Salix L. and marshy deciduous forests.

    Measures selection

    Success criteria

    Ecological response

    Hydromorphological response

    Monitoring before and after implementation of the project

    Socio-economic aspects

    Contact person within the organization

    Extra background information

    References


    Related Measures

    Related Pressures