The water conveyance capacity of the Bārta River has been restored and the right-bank protective embankment strengthened in Nīca and Otaņķi parishes, Dienvidkurzeme Municipality. The completed works have significantly improved flood protection in the area.
More than 300 residents of Nīca and Otaņķi parishes living in the Bārta River flood risk area, as well as owners of land adjacent to the watercourse, farmers and other businesses, are the direct beneficiaries of the project. The restored infrastructure will help reduce flood risks in the long term and promote a safer living and business environment.
Within the framework of the project, 4.5 kilometres of the Bārta River and 5.2 kilometres of the right-bank protective embankment have been restored. The main objective was to reduce flood risks, protect residents, properties and agricultural land, as well as strengthen the resilience of the area to challenges caused by climate change.
Regulation works on the lower reaches of the Bārta River and the construction of the protective embankment were historically carried out in 1936–1939. During the long period of operation, the watercourse had become overgrown, sediment and fallen trees had accumulated in the riverbed, significantly reducing its water conveyance capacity. Flood risks were also increased by wind-driven surges, spring ice jams and ice jams caused by ice floes during winter thaws.
During the restoration works, the Bārta River watercourse was improved by clearing vegetation and removing accumulated soil and biomass deposits from the riverbed. The removed material was transported to designated locations, levelled, and the affected areas were restored after completion of the works. The cross-section of the Bārta right-bank protective embankment was restored, the embankment structure and slopes were reinforced, and landscaping works were carried out along its entire length. The completed works will improve the durability of the hydraulic structure and its resilience to loads caused by high water levels and ice.
To ensure that the protective embankment is not only safe but also more convenient for residents and emergency services, road surfaces were restored in sections where roads run along the embankment. Two stairways and a boat launching site were also constructed, providing easier access to the river.
The restoration of the Bārta River and the right-bank protective embankment represents a significant investment in the safety of Dienvidkurzeme Municipality and the development of national flood risk reduction infrastructure. The project strengthens the region’s capacity to adapt to climate change challenges by ensuring a safer and more sustainable living and business environment.
The project “Restoration of the Bārta Watercourse of National Importance and the Bārta Right-Bank Protective Embankment” was implemented with funding from the EU Recovery Fund and the state budget. Construction works started on 27 August 2024 and were completed on 10 July 2026. The total project cost amounted to EUR 4.5 million.
