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LVM Restores a Forest Drainage System in Kurzeme

In July, forest drainage system “Gulāni” with an area of 229 hectares and seven forest roads with a total length of 11.5 kilometres were put into service in LVM Southern Kurzeme Region.

“Although the “Gulāni” forest drainage system is not large in terms of its area, the conditions for its renovation were difficult. Different soil conditions were encountered in the area. Ditches had to be restored in both peat and sandy soils. Most of them were highly clogged. In order to ensure water flow, cleaning of culverts under the former railway embankment was necessary,” tells Indris Stulpāns, LVM Infrastructure Managing Director, about the reconstruction process of the forest drainage system.

Reconstruction of the drainage system was started in 2018. Thanks to the prolonged drought in the autumn of last year, which ensured a low groundwater level at the site, construction work was carried out in good quality and within the set deadlines. The works were carried out by SIA “C.I.K.A.” in compliance with environmental and labour protection requirements.

Forest drainage systems - ditches, canal network and culverts - regulate the land water regime. Maintenance and restoration of forest drainage systems is performed by clearing the existing ditches to improve the water regime of the drained land and the surrounding area and ensure its operation. Functional drainage systems allow a better use of soil fertility potential. The annual increment of wood in drained areas is up to 3-4 times higher than in areas where the drainage system no longer works.

Drained forest areas also increase their resistance to wind because a well-regulated water system allows the trees to form deep roots. Ditches also have a positive effect on the condition of forest roads.