The field works season within the ICEREG project is now approaching its finish line. The field survey is already closed in Lithuania, and only a small part of the works planned has yet to be completed in Latvia.
Field works in Lithuania. Photo by Vytautas Akstinas
The field works took place in Mūša and Lėvuo rivers and Sanžilė Channel (Lithuania), as well as Daugava River stretch in Jēkabpils municipality and Lielupe River stretch in Bauska municipality (Latvia).
In Lithuania, 26 cross-sections were measured in Mūša River and 55 cross-sections in Lėvuo River with Sanžilė Channel.
Maps of the field works in the project pilot river stretches of Mūša River (left) and Lėvuo River with Sanžilė Channel (right)
In Latvia, the number of cross-sections measured in the Daugava River is 97, and 38 cross-sections were included in the field works on Lielupe River.
Maps of the field works in the project pilot river stretches of the Daugava River (left) and Lielupe River (right)
Four experts from Lithuanian Energy Institute and four experts from Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre measured a set of parameters on the rivers surveyed, including river channel depth and width, flow velocity, as well as the elevation of the riverbanks and water surface slope. The measurements were performed at least every 1000 meters of the river length (and even every 500 meters within cities).
Field survey equipment. Photo by Mārcis Tīrums
Information on bridges and other hydrotechnical structures that could potentially have a significant influence on the formation of ice-jam events was also collected.
In the next steps within the ICEREG project, the field survey results will be used to create the “geometry” of the pilot rivers and to calibrate the hydrodynamic model of these rivers to better understand the ice-jam floods in the project territory.
Field works in Latvia. Photo by Mārcis Tīrums
Ice-jam flood modelling, together with the update of the early warning system, will substantially improve the resilience of the Latvia-Lithuania cross-border region against the ice-jam flood episodes, which is especially important in the context of climate change.