Résumé
Summary
The project was implemented in 2009 by the Russenski Lom Nature Park Directorate, Club “Friends of Russenski Lom” and WWF, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, and was funded by WWF and the German Federal Ecological Foundation (DBU). Applying the principle “more space for the river – more safety for people”, it aimed to open sections of the dykes, allowing water to re-enter the floodplain, reducing road flooding risk, and restoring river–floodplain connectivity.
Since then, the intervention has been embedded in the park’s long-term management framework. In 2022, an updated 10-year Management Plan for the park was formally adopted, prepared under the Interreg V-A Romania–Bulgaria “GreenManagement” project. This plan integrates the earlier floodplain restoration into a wider strategy for Natura 2000 site conservation, hydromorphological monitoring, sustainable tourism, and cross-border cooperation. WWF has also reported complementary river restoration measures within the park, including barrier removals and the installation of a fish pass to improve longitudinal connectivity and support protected fish species. These actions consolidate the ecological and hydrological benefits initiated in 2009, now supported by structured governance, mapping tools, and systematic monitoring.
Photo gallery
Vue d'ensemble
Year of issue
2025
Project
NWRM
Implementation status
Completed
Contact
REC
Location of the project
The site is within the Russenski Lom Nature Park, Ruse Province, near the village of Ivanovo.
Country
Belgium
NUTS2 Code
Prov. Hainaut
Sponge measures implemented in the case study
Floodplain restoration and management
Removal of dams and other longitudinal barriers
Objectives
Primary goal: Apply the principle “more space for the river – more safety for people” by opening sections of existing dykes to restore river–floodplain connectivity.
Flood risk reduction: Reduce flooding on nearby roads by allowing water to spread into the floodplain rather than being constrained by dykes.
Hydrological restoration: Reconnect the Russenski Lom river with its natural floodplain to improve flow dynamics.
Biodiversity support: Enhance habitats for riparian and aquatic species by increasing lateral connectivity.
Community benefit: Improve safety and reduce damage from high water events.
Flood risk reduction: Reduce flooding on nearby roads by allowing water to spread into the floodplain rather than being constrained by dykes.
Hydrological restoration: Reconnect the Russenski Lom river with its natural floodplain to improve flow dynamics.
Biodiversity support: Enhance habitats for riparian and aquatic species by increasing lateral connectivity.
Community benefit: Improve safety and reduce damage from high water events.
Involved partners
| Authority type | Authority name | Authority role | Comments | Authority responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local water authority | Russenski Lom Nature Park Directorate | Implementation | — | Responsible |
| NGO | Club "Friends of Russenski Lom" | Implementation | — | Supporting |
| NGO | WWF | Initiation of the measure | — | Supporting |
| Other | Ministry of Culture | Implementation | Culture national authority | Supporting |
| NGO | WWF Gemany | — | — | Supporting |
| Other | German Federal Ecological Foundation DBU; Deutsche bundesstiftung umwelt (DBU) | Financing | German environmental fundation | Supporting |
Site Information
Climate Zone
Cool temperate dry
Precipitation
525.00 mm
Temperature (°C)
12.00 °C
Runoff
0.80 mm
Runoff coefficient
0.50
Elevation range
42
Slope range
5.0
Vegetation class
Riparian forests dominated by Populus alba, Salix alba, Alnus glutinosa.Alluvial meadows.Reedbeds (Phragmites australis) in wetter zones.
WFD Ecological status
Bad
WFD Chemical status
Failing to achieve good
Water quality status
Pollution from untreated urban wastewater entering the rivers. Diffuse agricultural pollution (nutrients, pesticides). Illegal waste disposal in and near the riverbed. Illegal waste disposal in and near the riverbed. Overextraction of inert materials .
Design and Implementation
Project scale
Meso
Project scale specifications
The project targets a defined section of the Russenski Lom Nature Park, specifically the “Lomovete” protected area and its floodplains along the Cherni, Beli, and Malki Lom rivers, near Ivanovo in Ruse Province. It covers multiple kilometres of river and adjacent habitats within a sub-basin of the Danube, and is part of broader regional management and cross-border cooperation (GreenManagement project), but does not span an entire national catchment. It addresses hydromorphological restoration, fish passage, and habitat conservation at a regional river-floodplain scale rather than at a single small site.
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
3.00 ha
Size
2.00
Size unit
km
Constraints
It is a Nature park
Favourable preconditions
Dyke was broken by high waters at 3 spots - thus the weak spots indicated naturally and then used to design sluices
Financing
Total cost information
N/A info
Costs investment information
N/A info
Costs maintenance information
Less than 1000
Administrative annual cost information
Less than 1000
Policy and Governance
Policy description
River was trained by dyke; Frequent flod events - water overflow the dyke at peak levels and remains on the arable lands
Policy targets
Runoff control
Peak-flow reduction
Oher Societal Benefits
Part of a wider plan
Oui
Wider plan
| Name |
|---|
| Management plan of Rusenski Lom Nature park |
Public consultation
Non
Has contractual arrangements
Non
Impacts and Monitoring
Monitoring System
Monitoring requirements
Monitoring is required under the Natura 2000 framework and the park’s Management Plan, with regular assessment of habitat condition, key species populations, and pressures.
Monitoring parameters
Habitat quality: extent, structure, and function of riparian forests, alluvial meadows, and reedbeds.
Species presence and abundance: especially target species under the Habitats and Birds Directives (e.g., otter Lutra lutra, certain bird species, protected fish).
Pressures: evidence of pollution (wastewater inflow, agricultural runoff), illegal waste deposits, and hydromorphological changes.
Hydrological regime: qualitative assessment of flow connectivity between river and floodplain, presence of blockages or erosion.
Species presence and abundance: especially target species under the Habitats and Birds Directives (e.g., otter Lutra lutra, certain bird species, protected fish).
Pressures: evidence of pollution (wastewater inflow, agricultural runoff), illegal waste deposits, and hydromorphological changes.
Hydrological regime: qualitative assessment of flow connectivity between river and floodplain, presence of blockages or erosion.
Upstream station
BG1RL00001MS020
Downstream station
BG1RL00001MS010
Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
Maintenance consists mainly of preserving floodplain and riparian habitats through vegetation management, removal of invasive species, and preventing illegal activities such as waste dumping and unregulated construction.
Impact Assessment Methodology
Performance impact assessment method
Catchment outlet
Performance impact estimation information
Regular visits
Socio-economic Impacts
Direct benefits information
N/A info
Ancillary benefits information
N/A info
Biophysical impacts: Hydrology
Retained water
3000.00
Retained water unit
m3/month
Biophysical impacts: Biodiversity
Improved biodiversity
Oui
Information on improved biodiversity
Improve the habitat of the black stork
Biophysical impacts: Water & Soil Quality
Water quality overall improvements
Neutral impact-no change in WQ status
Soil quality overall improvements
Neutral impact-no change in SQ status
Ecosystem erosion control
Oui
Biophysical impacts: Others
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
Not relevant for the specific application
Lessons Learned
Key lessons
The restoration project is successful because the habitat restoration objectives are not in contradiction with the interests of the local population and authorities. The measure allows improved flood control on agriculture lands and improves the road safety.
Drivers
| Driver type | Driver role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Main driver | Continuous flooding during heavy rainfall ??? |
Success factors
| Success factor type | Success factor role |
|---|---|
| Attitude of decision makers | Main factor |
| Existing staff and consultant knowledge | Main factor |
| Financing possibilities | Secondary factor |
| Available support tools | Secondary factor |