ASSESSMENT OF THE ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF NEVĖŽIS RIVER

Abstract

Upon Lithuania's accession to the EU, water bodies are managed and protected
according to hydrologically defined natural river basin boundaries, as the quality of river water is
determined by natural processes taking place in the territory of a river basin and the overall
impact of economic activities. A river basin is an area from which all surface water flows into a
single river. By implementing the requirements of water protection legislation, Lithuania has to
achieve good status in all water bodies in the country by 2021. This article discusses the
ecological status of Nevėžis river in Nevėžis sub-basin. Summarising all the parameters
assessed (BOC7, NO3-N, Pb, Nb, O2, NH4-N bei pH) and assessing the water quality of Nevėžis
river according to its ecological classes, it is from average to very good condition.
Key words: river basin, Nevėžis river, Nevėžis sub-basin, ecological status of a river.