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OPTAIN : Csorsza, Hungary

Last update
2024
Summary
The Csorsza case study is located in Veszprém County, Hungary. The size of the study site is 21.3 km2, where 29% of the total catchment area is forest, 29% orchards and vineyards, 17% shrubs, 13% is arable land, 6% is grassland, and 5% is urban.

Some selected analysis are performed at the Felső-Válicka catchment, too. The Felső-Válicka study site is located in Zala County, flows in south-north direction into the River Zala. The size of the catchment is 131 km2. 27% of the total catchment area is forest, 35% is cropland, 11% is grassland, 3% is wetland and 11% is urban.

Both study sites are located in the catchment of Lake Balaton, therefore state of the environment and nature in these small catchments influences the touristic and economic potential of the Balaton region. Their water and nutrient management affects water quantity and quality of the lake. Extreme weather events will increase the environmental and social conflicts in the region.

Main challenges identified in both sites are decreasing soil erosion and nutrient load, preventing flash floods, and implementing integrated water resources conservation.

OPTAIN project aims to identify effective combination of the NSWRMs and optimize their allocation, in order to improve water and nutrient retention in the soil and the catchments. Emphasis will be put on suitable options to foster the resilience of agricultural production to climate change.
Latitude
46.90908
Longitude
17.67489
Project
Optain
National Id
HU_07

Sponge Measure(s) implemented in the case study
Design Authority
Authority type Authority name Role Comments
Site name
Csorsza, Hungary
Light or indepth?
Light
Transboundary
0

Design land use change
Land use change type Comment
Contractual arrangements
0
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments

Financing
Financing type Authority name Share Comments
Financing(old)
Financing type Comments
Financing share(old)
Financing share type Share Comments

Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Policy target
Target purpose
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Part of wider plan
0
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Financing mechanism
0

The in-depth description of the case study
Monitoring impacts effects
0

OPTAIN : Cherio river basin

Last update
2024
Summary
The Cherio River basin is located in the eastern part of Bergamo province, Lombardy region. It extends from the pre-alpine reliefs to the irrigated plain area, down to the confluence of Cherio River into Oglio River. The catchment area is about 153 km2, broken down mainly into forest (42%) and agricultural (39%) land. The territory is vulnerable to overflows and flooding events, which requires constant reclamation activities. Moreover, the increasing water withdrawals from Cherio River for industrial and agricultural purposes compromises the possibility to ensure environmental flows, especially during summer and drought periods. Pollution from nitrogen, phosphorus and wastewaters finally contributes to deteriorate the overall water quality.

OPTAIN seeks the involvement of local actors to identify strategies and solutions for an efficient water management, aimed at ensuring quali-quantitative standards to safeguard natural and aquatic habitats and to support an agricultural system deeply dependent on water resources.
Latitude
45.74249
Longitude
9.90888
Project
Optain
National Id
IT_05

Design Authority
Authority type Authority name Role Comments
Site name
Cherio river basin
Light or indepth?
Light
Transboundary
0

Mean annual rainfall
600 - 900 mm

Design land use change
Land use change type Comment
Contractual arrangements
0
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments

Financing
Financing type Authority name Share Comments
Financing(old)
Financing type Comments
Financing share(old)
Financing share type Share Comments

Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Policy target
Target purpose
Pollutants Removal
Peak-flow reduction
Erosion Control
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Policy description
There has been an increase in severe droughts and extreme rainfall events, leading to floods in both urban and agricultural areas. The area is also suffering from pollution of both urban and agricultural origin.

The project is being implemented in coordination with the following stakeholders: Regional government, the local reclamation board, and local farmers.
Part of wider plan
0
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Financing mechanism
0

The in-depth description of the case study
Monitoring impacts effects
0

OPTAIN : Petite Glâne River Basin

Last update
2024
Summary
The case study area “Petite Glâne” belongs to the Broye catchment in the southwestern part of the Swiss Plateau. The river Petite Glâne is about 30 km long, repeatedly crosses borders between the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg, and has a catchment area of 94 km2. Its upper reaches have remained fairly natural and are lined with forest, whereas its lower reaches in the Broye plain have been canalized and straightened. The soils and climate here are highly suitable for arable farming. Overall, the catchment of the Petite Glâne is strongly characterized by agriculture: nearly three quarters of its area consists of pastures and cropland. However, the region is increasingly experiencing water shortages in summer, and there is often not enough water in the Broye and Petite Glâne to irrigate the fields. Climate change will further aggravate the situation. Farmers are therefore considering new options to mitigate the increasing drought events – for example an irrigation project using water from Lake Neuchâtel.

Against this background, OPTAIN explores efficient land use and land management strategies as well as technical measures that increase the capacity of soils to absorb and store water while improving nutrient retention and decomposition. These natural and small water retention measures (NSWRMs) are discussed and evaluated jointly with regional stakeholders. Based on model calculations, OPTAIN works to determine the maximum possible water and nutrient retention potential that can be achieved with NSWRMs if they are optimally combined and positioned in the catchment. Although the focus is on the Petite Glâne, the case study extends to the entire Broye catchment when it comes to modelling and stakeholder involvement.

The OPTAIN project will support the case study team with identifying and developing efficient land management strategies and small technical solutions to improve the soils’ infiltration and water holding capacities as well as its capacity to filter, buffer and transform pollutants.
Latitude
46.83664
Longitude
6.89970
Project
Optain
National Id
CH_04

Sponge Measure(s) implemented in the case study
Design Authority
Authority type Authority name Role Comments
Site name
Petite Glâne River Basin
Light or indepth?
Light
Transboundary
0

Climate zone
cool temperate moist
Mean annual rainfall
900 - 1200 mm
Average slope range
moderate (6 - 10%)
Depth groundwater
5 - 50 m

Design land use change
Land use change type Comment
Age
10 - 50 years
Contractual arrangements
0
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments

Financing
Financing type Authority name Share Comments
Financing(old)
Financing type Comments
Financing share(old)
Financing share type Share Comments

Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Policy target
Target purpose
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Policy description
Project developed in coordination with the following stakeholders: Authorities of the agricultural sector, authorities of the environment sector, famer associations, local farmers, NGOS, and AGRIDEA
Part of wider plan
0
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Financing mechanism
0

The in-depth description of the case study
Monitoring impacts effects
0

OPTAIN : Tetves

Last update
2024
Summary
The study site is the sub catchment of Tetves, is considered a priority area in terms of water protection. The size of the study site is 68 km2. 49% of the total catchment area is forest, 39% is arable land, 1% orchards, 1% vineyard, 1% is grassland and 2% is urban.

The study site is sensitive to nutrient and nitrate loss. Extreme weather events, the presence of loose parent material and a lack of best management practices in some part of the study site increase soil degradation, especially gully erosion. The water and nutrient management of this small catchment affects water quantity and quality of Lake Balaton. Extreme weather events will increase the environmental and social conflicts in the region.

The most pressing issues recognized in the study site are: revise the aspects considered for the delineation of soil erosion prone areas, wider application of measures that efficiently decrease soil erosion and nutrient load, and implementation of integrated water resources conservation.

OPTAIN project aims to identify effective combination of the NSWRMs and optimize their allocation, in order to improve water and nutrient retention in the soil and the catchments. Emphasis will be put on suitable options to foster the resilience of agricultural production to climate change.
Latitude
46.67319
Longitude
17.77640
Project
Optain
National Id
HU_06
Contact
Agártudonmányi Kutatóközpont (ATK)

Temperature
10.3
Mean annual rainfall
600 - 900 mm
Precipitation
644
Mean rainfall unit
mm/year

Design land use change
Land use change type Comment
Contractual arrangements
0
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments

Financing
Financing type Authority name Share Comments
Financing(old)
Financing type Comments
Financing share(old)
Financing share type Share Comments

Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Policy target
Target purpose
Runoff control
Pollutants Removal
Erosion Control
Oher Societal Benefits
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Policy description
Lake Balaton is a key resource in Hungary, providing not only freshwater but also a source of economic development associated with tourism and recreational activities. It is also of environmental importance for the region. Poor land management practices, particularly in agricultural lands, have resulted in soil erosion issues. Changing weather patterns are susceptible to produce more frequent flash floods, soil erosion and nutrient loads, negatively impacting the water quality of Lake Balaton.

In order to change land management practices on landscapes within the watershed the following stakeholders will be involved in the development and implementation of the project: General Directorate of Water Management, Local farmers, Balaton Limnological Institute, Lake Balaton Development Council, Hungarian Young Farmers Association (AGRYA), Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK), AGRO PROFI, and WWF Hungary.
Part of wider plan
0
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Financing mechanism
0

The in-depth description of the case study
Monitoring impacts effects
0

OPTAIN : Wimbe River Basin

Summary
The Wimbe basin is about 112 km2 in size and is classified as a continental bioregion. The basin consists of the water bodies LE8-10. The municipalities within the basin are Daverdisse, Wellin, Beauraing, Gedinne and Rochefort. The basin’s land use is 2% urban, 21% arable, 11% pasture and 66% forest. The region where the stream flows is representative of the Famenne schisteuse and the landscape is open. The region is vulnerable to both floods and low flows. The area is also vulnerable to nitrate concentration in water that is exceeding or is likely to exceed 50 mg/l, may have undergone or likely to undergo eutrophication.
The OPTAIN project will support the case study team with identifying and developing efficient land management strategies and small technical solutions to improve the soils’ infiltration and water holding capacities as well as its capacity to filter, buffer and transform pollutants.
Last update
2024

OPTAIN : Schwarzer Schöps River Basin

Last update
2024
Summary
The Schwarzer Schöps case study is located in the East of Germany. The catchment area is about 136 km2, most of which is used as cropland (54%) and grassland (20%). The area is facing an increase in severe floods, soil erosion, and droughts, with negative implications for crop yield stability. In addition, the downstream reservoir Quitzdorf suffers more often from low water tables and high phosphorus pollution which is causing blue-green algae bloom and threatening its multiple services, in particular its important role for nature protection, recreation, and maintaining downstream environmental flows.
The OPTAIN project will support the case study team with identifying and developing efficient land management strategies and small technical solutions to improve the soils’ infiltration and water holding capacities as well as its capacity to filter, buffer and transform pollutants.
Latitude
51.226066
Longitude
14.792066
Project
Optain
National Id
DE_07
Contact
Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

NUTS Code
Stockholm
Design Authority
Authority type Authority name Role Comments
Site name
Schawrzer Schöps
Light or indepth?
Light
Transboundary
0

Design land use change
Land use change type Comment
Contractual arrangements
0
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments

Financing
Financing type Authority name Share Comments
Financing(old)
Financing type Comments
Financing share(old)
Financing share type Share Comments

Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Policy target
Target purpose
Runoff control
Peak-flow reduction
Pollutants Removal
Erosion Control
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Policy description
The river basin has faced increasing numbers of climatic events such as floods and droughts as well as increased soil erosion. This has impacted the quantity and quality of the Quitzdorf reservoir, located at basin outlet. The reservoir is a key water resource for the region and notably Berlin. It is used as a service water supply, for downstream flood protection, to increase downstream flow, as well as for recreation and nature protection. Pollution of the reservoir has resulted in strong eutrophication, blue-green algae blooms, and the poor ecological status of the water body.
The project will be implemented with a variety of stakeholders including: Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology, the State Reservoir Administration of Saxony, the Saxon Farmers’ Association, as well as local farmers and stakeholders implicated in landscape management and conservation.
Part of wider plan
0
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
WFD identified pressure
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Financing mechanism
0

The in-depth description of the case study
Monitoring impacts effects
0