Résumé
Summary
Sävjaån catchment is a lowland mixed land use catchment characteristic of central Sweden. Headwaters in the catchment drain a mixture of forest and agricultural land. Streams draining agricultural land are general deepened and straightened to promote drainage. Localized spring floods are common and summer droughts are increasing. Eutrophication is an issue throughout the catchment.
Photo gallery
Vue d'ensemble
Year of issue
2025
Project
OPTAIN
Implementation status
Modeled
Country
Sweden
NUTS2 Code
Östra Mellansverige
Sponge measures implemented in the case study
Wetland restoration and management
Buffer strips and hedges
Floodplain restoration and management
Site Information
Climate Zone
Cool temperate moist
Precipitation
639.00 mm
Temperature (°C)
6.00 °C
Elevation range
0–100 m a.s.l.
Groundwater level
< 5 m
Vegetation class
Riparian grasses, wetland vegetation, crops in adjacent fields
WFD Ecological status
Good
WFD Chemical status
Good
Design and Implementation
Project scale
Micro
Project scale specifications
localised ditches and buffer strips in fields
Project area
Varies; local plots to small sub-catchments (0.5–100 ha)
Project area specifications
Rural, cropland, ditch networks
Principles
Riparian areas proximal to streams and ditches that are not in agricultural production
can slow the movement of particulate matter and water from fields to receiving
waters, thereby potentially limiting peak flow.
Drainage ditches with a "bench" or floodplain can slow the movement of water and
retain nutrients, benches function as wetlands when wet.
Wetlands/ponds are created to retain nutrients and prevent drought/flooding.
can slow the movement of particulate matter and water from fields to receiving
waters, thereby potentially limiting peak flow.
Drainage ditches with a "bench" or floodplain can slow the movement of water and
retain nutrients, benches function as wetlands when wet.
Wetlands/ponds are created to retain nutrients and prevent drought/flooding.
Financing
No information provided for this section.
Policy and Governance
Land ownership
Mixed ownership: individual, company, community/ village; cooperative arrangements with farmers
Policy targets
Pollutants Removal
Requirement directive
| Requirement directive |
|---|
| WFD-mitigation of significant pressure |
Part of a wider plan
Oui
Wider plan
| Wider plan type | Wider plan focus | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Regional | Water | Regional/catchment-based strategy under EU directives |
Public consultation
Non
Has contractual arrangements
Non
Impacts and Monitoring
Monitoring System
Presence of formal monitoring system
No structured long-term monitoring in place
Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
Tree trimming, vegetation removal (annual to every 5 years), sediment management
Lessons Learned
Drivers
| Driver type | Driver role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Legal obligations | Main driver | EU Water Policy |
| Other | Main driver | research-based evidence of effectiveness |
Success factors
| Success factor type | Success factor role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Main factor | simplicity, ecosystem based |
| Attitude of relevant stakeholders | Main factor | farmers collaboration |
Sources
No information provided for this section.