The river Minija

The Minija River Basin case study revealed a number of problems relating to the implementation of the new European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Different water uses are in direct conflict with one another.

The Minija River Basin is being used for agriculture (53%), recreational activities, fishing, power generation and industrial activities, especially for oil exploration. Intensive agriculture has been a source of excess nutrients (10 to 140 kg/ha/year) in the Minija River. Consequently, the lowered water quality does not help authorities to promote tourism and recreational activities. Overfishing and illegal fishing have threatened the production of migratory species like salmon, sea trout and vimba.

The absence of central sewage water collection and treatment in small human settlements is one of the sources of pollution. Oil exploitation in the river basin also contributes pollutants. Moreover, the hydrographic network of the basin is affected due to the modification of water bodies. Currently there are three hydropower energy stations built in the river basin. Therefore, a need for evaluation of the common sustainable river management policy for water resources in Europe is almost unavoidable.

Outcomes

• The chapter "Environmental problems and challenges of the Minija River - Towards a sustainable development of the river basin" of the Watersketch Handbook can be downloaded here