Riga City Adapts to the Hydrological Processes (LIFE HydroClimateStrategyRiga)

Description:

The water regime of the Daugava River is largely dependent on the operations of the Riga Hydropower plant. Increased frequency and severity of flash floods is becoming an alarming problem for the city of Riga. They have caused widespread hazards to built-up areas, infrastructure and natural territories, including Natura 2000 areas. In 2008, Riga County Council (RCC) commissioned a hydro-dynamic modelling system to calculate flood risks and trends under different scenarios. The growing trend in floods is linked to climate change phenomena. In particular, storms are increasingly pushing water from the Riga Gulf into the River Daugava. To address both the floods and their causes according to the provisions of international, EU and national legislation in Latvia, there is a need for more integrated management planning. There is also greater need for awareness of the relevant issues amongst the general public, specialists from municipalities and politicians. The main objective of the project is to create the means necessary to ensure that hydrological processes intensified by climate change phenomena in Riga are adequately investigated and incorporated in the city’s planning system. This hopes to mitigate their current and future impact on Riga’s economy and society, nature and biodiversity, water resources and human health.

Project information

Lead

Riga City Council

Partners

None

Source of funding

LIFE08 ENV/LV/000451