The replacement of a culvert in Bēne Parish, Dobele Municipality, has been completed. The culvert is located on the Auce River, where it is crossed by the municipal road “Lāmnieki–Īle”. The construction of the new culvert has removed a barrier to fish migration and has reduced the risk of flooding in the surrounding area.

Previously, the culvert consisted of two parallel metal pipes installed on a platform, creating a drop of approximately 0.7 metres. This structure was impassable for fish and other aquatic organisms. During the reconstruction, the pipes were completely removed and replaced with a new, fish-friendly culvert. Its base has been integrated into the natural riverbed, eliminating the drop and ensuring continuous water flow. This has improved migration opportunities for fish and other aquatic organisms. The culvert has been reinforced with stones and geotextile, while the road embankments have been restored and protected against erosion. Landscaping works have also been carried out.

Describing the need for the construction works, Jānis Šīre, LIFE GoodWater IP Project Manager at the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, says:

“The old double culvert significantly degraded the condition of the Auce River habitat in this section – it obstructed fish migration and the natural transport of sediments, while substantial riverbed erosion had developed downstream of the culvert. The new culvert not only reduces the risk of local flooding but also restores river continuity, improves the movement of aquatic organisms and creates the conditions for the development of a higher-quality, more natural river habitat.”

The new solution will also improve migration opportunities for various fish species.

“Free migration is important not only for salmon and sea trout, but also for pike, burbot and other freshwater fish that migrate. Culverts are like crossroads that should ensure equal passage opportunities both for people and the stream and its inhabitants. After the reconstruction of the culvert, the scales, which had previously tipped heavily in favour of people, are once again in balance! – and that gives me great joy and satisfaction,” says Kaspars Abersons, researcher at the Fish Resources Research Department of the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR” and LIFE GoodWater IP expert.

The cost of replacing the culvert was EUR 39,000.06. The works were carried out by SIA “Latimber” and commissioned by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.

The construction works were carried out within the framework of the European Union LIFE Programme integrated project “Implementation of River Basin Management Plans of Latvia towards Good Surface Water Status” (LIFE GoodWater IP). The LIFE GoodWater IP project is co-financed by the European Union, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, and the project partners – public authorities, municipalities, companies, scientific institutions and non-governmental organisations.