Technical Report: Delineation of Surface Water Bodies in the Euwi+ Pilot Basins of Georgia (Alazani- Iori Basin, Khrami-Debed Basin)

European Union Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+): Results 2 and 3

ENI/2016/372-403

TECHNICAL REPORT: DELINEATION OF SURFACE WATER BODIES IN THE EUWI+ PILOT BASINS OF GEORGIA (ALAZANI- IORI BASIN, KHRAMI-DEBED BASIN)

Final Version. EUWI-EAST-GE-05; October 2019

Responsible EU member state consortium project leader

Alexander Zinke, Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) EUWI+ country representative in Georgia

Zurab Jincharadze (GE) Responsible international thematic lead expert

Alexander Zinke, Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Georg Wolfram, independent consultant, DWS (AT) Responsible Georgian thematic lead expert

Marina Arabidze, National Environmental Agency (GE) Irakli Kordzaia, National Environmental Agency (GE)

Authors Giorgi Mikeladze, GIS-Lab. ltd Vakhtang Geladze, GIS-Lab. ltd

Disclaimer: The EU-funded program European Union Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+ 4 EaP) is implemented by the UNECE, OECD, responsible for the implementation of Result 1 and an EU member state consortium of Austria, managed by the lead coordinator Umweltbundesamt, and of France, managed by the International Office for Water, responsible for the implementation of Result 2 and 3. This document, the “DELINEATION OF SURFACE WATER BODIES IN THE EUWI+ PILOT BASINS OF GEORGIA (ALAZANI-IORI BASIN, KHRAMI-DEBED BASIN)”, was produced by the EU member state consortium with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union or the Governments of the Eastern Partnership Countries. This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of, or sovereignty over, any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries, and to the name of any territory, city or area.

Imprint

Owner and Editor: EU Member State Consortium Umweltbundesamt GmbH Office International de’l Eau (IOW) Spittelauer Lände 5 21/23 rue de Madrid 1090 Vienna, Austria 75008 Paris, FRANCE

Responsible IOW Communication officer: Yunona Videnina [email protected]

October 2019

Technical Report on SW Delineation - Georgia

CONTENTS

1 Executive summary ...... 9 2 Introduction and Scope ...... 10 2.1 General ...... 10 2.2 Survey Area ...... 10 2.3 Deliverables ...... 11 3 Methods ...... 12 3.1 Criteria and Procedures of Delineation of Surface Water Bodies ...... 12 3.2 Identification of Surface Water Bodies ...... 12 3.3 Delineation and calculation of catchment areas ...... 15 3.4 Coding of Surface Water Bodies ...... 16 4 Typology ...... 18 4.1 Overview ...... 18 4.2 Description of types in the Alazani-Ioni basin ...... 20 4.3 Description of types in the Khrami-Debed basin ...... 20 5 Description of main catchment Basins/subbasins and rivers ...... 24 5.1 General hydrographic description of the rivers of Alazani-Iori basins ...... 24 5.2 General hydrographic description of the rivers of Khrami-Debed basins ...... 33 6 Human pressures and uses ...... 38 6.1 Hydro-morphological changes ...... 38 6.2 Identification of heavily modified and artificial water bodies in the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins ...... 41 6.2.1 Heavily modified water bodies (HMWB) ...... 44 6.2.2 Artificial water bodies (AWB) ...... 45 6.3 Pollution ...... 47 6.4 Other pressures and assessment of risk status ...... 48 7 Monitoring ...... 49 7.1 Surface water monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin ...... 49 7.1.1 Hydrological monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin ...... 49 7.1.2 Water quality monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin ...... 49 7.1.3 Hydro-biological monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin ...... 49 7.2 Surface water monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin ...... 50 7.2.1 Hydrological monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin ...... 50 7.2.2 Water quality monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin ...... 50 7.2.3 Hydro-biological monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin ...... 50 8 Open issues and data gaps ...... 52

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Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed Basins

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List of Tables Table 1. System A. Rivers and Lakes...... 18 Table 2. River types of the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed Basins...... 19 Table 3. Lake types of the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed Basins...... 19 Table 4.Types by System A are presented in the column “Type_A”, adapted (renumbering)types in the column “Type” ...... 19 Table 5. Hydro-morphometric characteristics of the rivers of Alazani basin...... 25 Table 6. Hydro-morphometric characteristics of the rivers of Tusheti Alazani basin ...... 30

List of Figures Figure 1. The River presented on the 1:25,000 scale topographic maps differs from the current situation of the river...... 13 Figure 2. Identification-precision of water bodies on the basis of multispectral analysis (NDWI- Normalized Difference Water Index) ...... 14 Figure 3. The trace of the former riverbed...... 14 Figure 4. Example of Khrami-Debed digital elevation model and catchment basins...... 15 Figure 5. The water head and tributaries of the Stori river are shown for illustration: the Stori is the left tributary of the Alazani and accordingly, it makes the first order tributary following (in this case Alazani) of the main river (the Kura)...... 17 Figure 6. River and Lake types in the Alazani-Iori Basin...... 22 Figure 7. River and Lake types in the Khrami-Debed Basin...... 23 Figure 8. Hydrological Observation Network in the Alazani-Iori basin ...... 32 Figure 9. Hydrological Observation Network in the Khrami-Debed basin ...... 37 Figure 10. Hydro-morphological changes on the River Stori and Intsoba ...... 39 Figure 11. Map of hydromorphological alterations in the Alazani-Iori Basin...... 40 Figure 12. Map of hydromorphological alterations in the Khrami-Debed Basin...... 41 Figure 13. The Magistral Canals and Canals (Category I) in the Khrami-Debed Basin...... 42 Figure 14. The Magistral Canals and Canals (Category I) in the Alazani-Iori Basin ...... 43 Figure 15. Heavily modified water bodies and Artificial water bodies in the Alazani-Iori Basin .. 46 Figure 16. Heavily modified water bodies and Artificial water bodies in the Khrami-Debed Basin...... 47

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List of Attachments Maps Map 1. Alazani-Iori Typology Map 2. Khrami-Debed Typology Map 3. Alazani-Iori Hydomorphology Map 4. Khrami-Debed Hydomorphology Map 5. Alazani-Iori Canals Map 6. Khrami-Debed Canals Map 7. Alazani-Iori Delineation Map 8. Khrami-Debed Delineation Map 9. Alazani-Iori HMWB/AWB Map 10. Khrami-Debed HMWB/AWB Map 11. Alazani-Iori Risk Assessment Map 12. Khrami-Debed Risk Assessment

Data Sheets Alazani-Iori basin / Shapefile layers Data Sheet 1. SWB_Delineation_Rivers Data Sheet 2. SWB_Delineation_Rivers_Typology Data Sheet 3. Lakes_Alazani_Iori_Typology Data Sheet 4. Alazani_Iori_Catchm_T Data Sheet 5. Alazani_Iori_Catchm Data Sheet 6. Alazani_Iori_HyMo Data Sheet 7. Alazani_Iori_Rivers Data Sheet 8. Alazani_Iori_Springs Data Sheet 9. Canals_Alazani_Iori Data Sheet 10. Lakes_Alazani_Iori Data Sheet 11. Alazani_Iori_Watershed_bnd Data Sheet 12. Districts Data Sheet 13. Georgia_State Data Sheet 14. Regions Data Sheet 15. Settlements Data Sheet 16. AWB_Alazani_Iori Data Sheet 17. AWB_Alazani_Iori_Ponds Data Sheet 18. HMWB_Alazani_Iori Data Sheet 19. Risk_Assessment_Alazani_Iori

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Alazani-Iori basin / Raster layers Data Sheet 1. DEM_30_Alz_ior.tif Data Sheet 2. Hillsh_30_Alz_ior.tif

Khrami-Debed basin / Shapefile layers Data Sheet 1. SWB_Delineation_Rivers Data Sheet 2. SWB_Delineation_Rivers_Typology Data Sheet 3. Khrami_Debed_Lakes_Typology Data Sheet 4. Khrami_Debed_Catchm_T Data Sheet 5. Khrami_Debed_Catchm Data Sheet 6. Khrami_Debed_HyMo Data Sheet 7. Khrami_Debed_Rivers Data Sheet 8. Khrami_Debed_Springs Data Sheet 9. Canals_Khrami_Debed Data Sheet 10. Lakes_Khrami_Debed Data Sheet 11. Khrami_Watershed_bnd Data Sheet 12. Districts Data Sheet 13. Georgia_State Data Sheet 14. Regions Data Sheet 15. Settlements Data Sheet 16. AWB_Khrami_Debed Data Sheet 17. HMWB_Khrami_Debed Data Sheet 18. Risk_Assessment _Khrami_Debed

Khrami-Debed basin / Raster layers Data Sheet 1. DEM_30_Khram_Deb.tif Data Sheet 2. Hillsh_30_Khram_Deb.tif

Excel file Data Sheet 1. List of the surface water bodies in the Alazani-Iori basin Data Sheet 2. List of the surface water bodies in the Krami-Debed basin Data Sheet 3. SWB Characterisation (forms are made for all water bodies)

Word file Data Sheet 1. Description of the major catchment basins/sub-basins and rivers

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Metadata Metadata for all of the above mentioned data sheets are presented in the form of identification (corre- sponding metadata sheet provided by EUWI+ project). “Data source identification form – Georgia”

Abbreviations BMO Basin Management Organization CEPA Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement CORINE Coordination of Information on the Environment DG NEAR Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations DSS Decision Support System EC European Commission ENI European Neighborhood Instrument EU European Union EUR Euro EEA European Environment Agency ENP European Neighborhood Policy EUWI European Union Water Initiative GIS Geographic Information Systems GWB Groundwater Body IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management LTD Limited Company NGO Non-Governmental Organization RBD River Basin District RBMP River Basin Management Plan SEIS Shared Environment Information System USSR Union of the Soviet Socialistic Republics WFD Water Framework Directive WUA Water Users’ Association

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The main objective of the European Union Water Initiative Plus (EUWI+) is to tackle the chal-lenges that exists while the implementation of water resources management in Georgia and five other countries of Eastern Europe. Specifically, it supports EU Eastern Partnership Countries to approximate legislation and methodologies of efficient water management in these countries with the EU standards and in accordance to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and better planning and management of the river basin areas. According to the Basin Management Planning practice of the WFD, the recommended water resources management tools have been elaborated, determining the general orientation and the priorities of the goals set. Within the EUWI+ project Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins have been selected as the pilot areas in Georgia. The specific goal of the current contract was to support the Georgian beneficiary institutions, specifically the National Environmental Agency (NEA) and the Ministry of Environmental Protec-tion and Agriculture of Georgia in the identification, delineation and description of the surface water bodies within the Alazani- Iori and Khrami-Debed basins in accordance with the principles of EU WFD. A summary of the obtained results is presented in the following table:

WB Delineation Alazani-Iori Khrami-Debed Rivers Lakes Rivers Lakes No. of types 12 3 14 3

Total no. of SWB 466 5 346 1 Natural SWB 437 1 307 1 not pHMWB 425 1 295 1 pHMWB 12 0 12 0 AWB 29 4 39 0

Risk assessment of natural SWB [AWB not assessed] SWB at risk 30 n.a. 45 n.a. SWB possibly at risk 142 n.a. 169 n.a. SWB not at risk 265 n.a. 93 n.a.

* HMWB are considered as SWB at risk in this table * No. of types (Lakes) also implies reservoirs (HMWB-rivers).

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2 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

2.1 General

The European Union Water Initiative Plus (EUWI+) for Eastern Partnership project works for the following six EU Neighborhood Countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Main objective of the EUWI+ project is to tackle the challenges that exists while implementation of water resources management in the region. Specifically, it supports EU Eastern Partnership Countries to approximate legislation and methodologies of efficient water management in these countries with the EU standards and in accordance to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and better planning and management of the river basin areas. According to the Basin Management Planning practice of the WFD, the recommended water resources management tools have been elaborated, determining the general orientation and the priorities of the goals set. Within the EUWI+ project Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins have been selected as the pilot areas in Georgia. The specific goal of the current sub-contract is to support the Georgian beneficiary institutions, specifically the National Environmental Agency (NEA) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agri- culture of Georgia in identification, delineation and description of the surface water bodies within the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins in accordance with the principles of EU WFD. Identification, delineation and typology of water objects within the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins have been implemented according to the analysis of the selected rivers as well as of surface water objects’ identification, delineation and classification methodology elaborated for EU Water Framework Directive. What is more important, the methodology elaborated for Chorokhi-Adjaristskali pilot basin during the previous water management project (EPIRB) and the related experience have also been used. The current report is prepared based on the spatial (digital) data and textual material acquired and elaborated by Gis-Lab, Ltd. Processing, analysis and evaluation of the given material has been implemented by the engagement of experts of hydrology and geo-informational systems.

2.2 Survey Area

The Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins cover Georgia’s transboundary rivers that in general belong to the Caspian Sea drainage area. The Khrami-Debed basin is located in the Kvemo-Kartli administrative district, the South-Eastern part of Georgia. This basin fully covers the districts of Bolnisi, Dmanisi, Te- tritskaro, Tsalka and (partially) the district of Marneuli. The total area of the Khrami-Debed catchment, including the Armenian part, is 8,340 km2. The Khrami-Debed Basin District includes also the hydrological catchment of the Algeti river, with the total area of 763 km2. The area of the Khrami-Debed watershed within Georgia is 5,186 km2, the total length of the river network is about 2,373 km. The rivers Alazani and Iori originate in the Southern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range and become two major tributaries of the Kura River. They flow out from the narrow gorges and having crossed inter- mountainous depression, stream along the Georgian-Azerbaijan border; after having crossed the state border, they flow into the Mingechavir Reservoir, situated in Azerbaijan. Before the construction of the Mungechavir Reservoir, Iori was a right tributary of Alazani, whereas today it is considered to be an independent tributary. The total length of the rivers in Georgia, including Tusheti’s Alazani, is 4,137.8

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km, with its basin area of 12,052 km2. The basin district completely covers Kakheti region, only partially Tianeti Municipality and very small part of Gardabani Municipality.

2.3 Deliverables

Below is the list of tasks that the contractor was assigned to accomplish and which are addressed in the presented Delineation Report:

1. Identify and delineate SWB (rivers and lakes, including HMWB and AWB) in the selected RBD according to the provisions of the WFD and the relevant CIS guidance documents of the EU Common Implementation Strategy, based on available and relevant information (e.g. geological maps, profiles etc.), 2. Give each SWB a code and a name, considering national provisions; 3. Provide the boundaries of the delineated SWB electronically in GIS format fulfilling the require- ments laid down in Annex 1 (e.g. production of datasets, shapefile layers, QGIS maps and ac- companying metadata); 4. Characterise the main sub-catchments (grouped SWB) within the basin in text form 5. Characterise all SWB by completing the template attached in Annex 2, as far as the requested information is available 6. Compilation of the typology of rivers and lakes according to Water Framework Delineation (WFD) System A 7. Prepare a summary text about lake and river types in the RBDs 8. Compile a list of significant surface water-relevant human pressures within the selected RBDs 9. Description of the current monitoring situation in the selected RBDs 10. Description of the methodology and information used 11. Prepare a summary of open issues and data gaps which need to be addressed in future

In order to achieve the set objectives, the following measures have been taken into account at the final phase of the contracted assignment:

 Identification of surface water bodies  Coding of surface water bodies  Differentiation of surface water bodies according to the types (typology)  Description of the major catchment basins/sub-basins and rivers  Identification of the hydro morphological changes  Identification of HMWB and AWB  Characterization all SWB by completing the template  A list of significant surface water-relevant human pressures within the selected RBDs  Description of the current monitoring situation in the selected RBDs  A summary of open issues and data gaps which need to be addressed in future  Provide the boundaries of the delineated SWB electronically in GIS format (shapefile layers, QGIS maps and related metadata)

The technical implementation of the above-described activities has been based on the EU WFD methodology and the practical application of the documents and elements of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) documents, particularly the CIS Guidance Document #2 - Identification of Water Bodies and CIS Guidance Document #4 - Identification and Designation of Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies.

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3 METHODS

3.1 Criteria and Procedures of Delineation of Surface Water Bodies

Surface water means all water located on inland territories including rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and ponds. For the purpose of assessing the ecological status of surface water and planning and implementing measures, rivers and lakes are divided into discrete volumes, or bodies of surface water (WBs). Accord- ing to the Water Framework Directive, the “water body” should be a coherent sub-unit in the river basin, towards which apply the environmental protection objectives of the directive.

3.2 Identification of Surface Water Bodies

Surface “water bodies" are discrete sections or parts of water bodies, which differ from each other in specific natural characteristics, the nature of the impact of human activity, or any other significant and distinguishable parameters (Sall et al, 2012). The process of delineation and definition of surface water bodies consists of the division of water bodies into sections and parts according to the (agreed) parameters and criteria. Each surface water body is subject to regular assessment of status and measures for improving and maintaining the status of water bodies. All rivers with a catchment basin over 10 km² were considered for the purpose of establishing and iden- tifying surface water bodies. However, as an exception, rivers with catchment areas smaller than 10 km² were also categorized into individual water bodies with respect to their significance. It should be mentioned, that most of the small rivers have been included into larger catchment basins. Except for rivers, reservoirs and ponds, in the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins, according to the appropriate criteria all the lakes exceeding 0.5 km² by their space, have been revealed. In the process of implementation of the current project surface water bodies/objects-rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and ponds have been marked out. At this stage, 307 water bodies (SWB) in the Khrami-Debed basin and 437 (SWB) in the Alazani-Iori basin are identified. Identification of the surface water bodies (SWB) have been implemented by means of the hydrological network originally based on the 1:25,000 scale topographical maps. In order to adjust the latter with the current situation, the photo interpretation and remote sensing (RS) methods have been applied, by means of which they have been updated and made more precise (See Figure 1 to Figure 3).

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Figure 1. The River presented on the 1:25,000 scale topographic maps differs from the current situation of the river.

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Figure 2. Identification-precision of water bodies on the basis of multispectral analysis (NDWI-Normal- ized Difference Water Index)

Figure 3. The trace of the former riverbed.

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3.3 Delineation and calculation of catchment areas

Catchment basins and their areas are important parameters in the process of delineation of surface waters. Delineation of catchment areas was implemented by means of the geo-informational technologies, where only two variables have been applied - digital elevation model (STRM 30) and digital hydrological network with the 1: 25,000 resolution original scale data-sheets, based on the Soviet topographical maps. In addition, these images (raster data) and vector data-sets have been geo-rectified and corrected on the basis of most recent satellite imagery of a high intelligibility.

Figure 4. Example of Khrami-Debed digital elevation model and catchment basins. The modelling process of the catchment basins was implemented in several phases:

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Restoration of digital elevation model (DEM reconditioning), during which the correction of un-processed digital elevation model was corrected against the hydrological network. This stage of modelling implies so called "burning out" the river beds on top of the digital elevation model. 1. Filling the sinks (‘fill sinks’) represents the next step, during which the digital elevation model is being corrected for faults and hydrological distortions 2. Detection and modeling of flow directions 3. Accumulation modeling of flow 4. Segmentation of tributaries 5. Catchment delineation 6. Polygon processing As a result, the polygon geo-database was developed for the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed catchment basins that were used for identification of basin contours and catchments areas (Figure 4).

3.4 Coding of Surface Water Bodies

Coding of the given surface water bodies has been an important stage of the delineation. International hydrological coding system - Classic stream order has been applied, ranking the river streams based on a concrete hierarchy of tributaries.

Each delineated water body obtains a unique identifier using the following format: XxxYZZ, where Xxx stands for the first 3 letters of the river name; Y marks the order of the river

 0 - Denotes order of the main river flowing to the sea,  1 - Order of tributary of the main river,  2 - Order of tributary following the 1st order river,  3 - Order of tributary following the 2nd order river; ZZ - Is the sequential amount of water objects by the given order.

In order to avoid an endless division of surface water bodies, all small rivers/tributaries were united and joined under the most important river code. However, some exceptions still exist were made by expert judgment and taking into account the importance of the rivers (Figure 5).

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Figure 5. The water head and tributaries of the Stori river are shown for illustration: the Stori is the left tributary of the Alazani and accordingly, it makes the first order tributary following (in this case Alazani) of the main river (the Kura).

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4 TYPOLOGY

4.1 Overview

The next stage of the study was to differentiate each surface water object according to the types. The types were defined in accordance to System A of the WFD (Table 1). Table 1. System A. Rivers and Lakes Fixed typology RIVERS LAKES Descriptors Descriptors Ecoregion 24 (Caucasus) 24 (Caucasus) Type Altitude typology Altitude typology

 high: >800 m  high: >800 m  mid-altitude: 200 to 800 m  mid-altitude: 200 to 800 m  lowland: <200 m  lowland: <200 m Size typology based on catchment area Size typology based on surface area

 small: 10 to 100 km2  0.5 to 1 km2  medium: >100 to 1 000 km2  1 to 10 km2

 large: >1 000 to 10 000 km2  10 to 100 km2  very large: >10 000 km2  >100 km2 Depth typology based on mean depth

 <3 m  3 to 15 m  >15 m Geology Geology

 calcareous  calcareous

 siliceous  siliceous  organic  organic

Each water body (of the river basins/sub-basins) was differentiated according to the appropriate geographical ecoregions. Both selected basins belong to Ecoregion 24 (Caucasus). The type of a water body depends on the set of the natural properties of the water body or their parts. Identification of the types of rivers are mainly based on geographical and morphological properties. Based on the parameters altitude, geology and catchment area, 18 river types were identified in the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins (Table 2). In addition, with the parameter mean depth and surface area, 5 lake types were identified (Table 3). For an optimal typological differentiation of a water body, the length of a river ≤10 km was used as the lower threshold (as required by the WFD). Similar to the coding of surface water bodies, a few exceptions were made by expert judgment.

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Table 2. River types of the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed Basins

Table 3. Lake types of the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed Basins

It should be mentioned that in a first step all possible type combinations of System A were used leading to 36 types of rivers and lakes, while within the selected basins Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed only 18 river types and 5 lake types were registered. Accordingly, for a simple orientation, it was decided to renumber the types within these two basins. However, both type numbers were kept in the database (Table 4). Table 4.Types by System A are presented in the column “Type_A”, adapted (renumbering)types in the column “Type”

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4.2 Description of types in the Alazani-Ioni basin

Rivers As a result of the abovementioned procedure, 323 units of different types of rivers, with the total length of 4,137.8 km were identified in the Alazani-Iori basin. Type III – consists of 6 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 to 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type IV – consists of 18 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type V – consists of 3 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation less than 200 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type VI – consists of 113 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 to 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type VII – consists of 59 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type IX – consists of 2 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type X – consists of 1 water body with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation less than 200 m and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type XI – consists of 40 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 m to 800 m and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type XII – consists of 27 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type XV – consists of 6 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation less than 200 m and catchment area from 1000 km2 to 10,000 km². Type XVI – consists of 47 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 m to 800 m and catchment area from 1000 km2 to 10,000 km². Type XVIII – consists of 1 water body with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation less than 200 and is characterized by the biggest catchment area of more than 10,000 km². Lakes/reservoirs Within the Alazani-Iori basin, the following lake water bodies were identified: 1 lake (Jikurebi Lake – type I), 2 reservoirs (Sioni Reservoir – type IV and Dali reservoir – type II) and 4 ponds (2 ponds – type II, 2 ponds – type I).

4.3 Description of types in the Khrami-Debed basin

Rivers 291 units of different types of rivers, with the total length of 2,373.2 km were identified in the Khrami- Debed basin. Type I – consists of 1 water body with the organic geological formation, altitude variation from 200 to 800 meters and catchment area of less than 100 km².

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Type II – consists of 4 water body with the organic geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 meters and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type III – consists of 10 water body with the carbonate geological formation altitude variation from 200 to 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type IV – consists of 31 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type VI – consists of 22 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 to 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type VII – consists of 128 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area of less than 100 km². Type VIII – consists of 4 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 to 800 meters and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type IX– consists of 8 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type XI – consists of 19 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 m to 800 m and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type XII – consists of 34 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area from 100 km2 to 1000 km². Type XIII– consists of 9 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 to 800 meters and catchment area from 1000 km2 to 10,000 km². Type XIV – consists of 2 water bodies with the carbonate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment area from 1000 km2 to 10,000 km². Type XVI – consists of 11 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation from 200 to 800 m and catchment area from 1000 km2 to 10,000 km². Type XVII– consists of 8 water bodies with the silicate geological formation, altitude variation higher than 800 m and catchment are from 1000 km2 to 10,000 km². Lakes/reservoirs 2 reservoirs were identified in the Khrami-Debed basin (Tsalka Reservoir – type V and Algeti reservoir - type I) and 1 lake (Bareti Lake – type III). The identified river and lake types as well as reservoirs and artificial ponds of the Alazani-Iori and Khrami Debed basins are presented on the maps below (Figure 6 & Figure 7).

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Figure 6. River and Lake types in the Alazani-Iori Basin.

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Figure 7. River and Lake types in the Khrami-Debed Basin.

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5 DESCRIPTION OF MAIN CATCHMENT BASINS/SUBBASINS AND RIVERS

5.1 General hydrographic description of the rivers of Alazani- Iori basins

Alazani. The Alazani river basin is bordered by the southern slope of the Caucasus Range to the north, by Kakheti and Tsiv-Gombori ridges and Iori valley - to the south and south-west and by Azerbaijan - to the south-east. The basin has three distinct landscapes: the steep slopes of bordering ridges; foothills and stretching downhills of a plain that is mainly built from the cone-shaped deposits brought down from the tributaries of the river Alazani, and the flat parts of the plain. The river Alazani’s headwater comes from the southern slope of the Caucasus Range close to the Borbalo Mountain at 2,750 m asl. The local population calls the part from water head to the confluence of Samkuristskali -Tsiplovanitskali (Tsiplovani water) while after both rivers are united - Alazani. Near the village Kortabude, the river comes out from the narrow gorge and streams down the wide Pankisi Gorge at the length of 18 km, up to the river Ilto confluence. Then it flows to the south-east across the Alazani valley and having taken the direction to the south joins with the Mingechevir reservoir on the Azerbaijan territory. Dry gullies/ravines are common in the south-eastern part of the right side of the river. Main characteristics of Alazani river Length of the river: 390 km Catchment area: 16,920 km² (including the basin located in Azerbaijan) Average altitude of the basin: 850 m Difference between head and source: 745 m Average slope: 2.12% There are more than 500 rivers in the basin, with the total length of 1,770 km. Important tributaries: Ilto (length 43 km), Khodasheniskhevi (length 31), Stori (length 38 km), Turdo (length 28 km), Lopota (length 33 km), Chelti (length 28km), Kisiskhevi (length 37 km), Duruji (length 26 km), Chermiskhevi (length 35 km) etc. The left tributaries of the river Alazani that flow down on the southern steep slope of the Cauca-sus Range are characterized by sufficient water discharge, narrow deep gorges (ravines) and the beds with rapids and waterfalls. They cause intense deep erosions and create cone-shaped deposits by bringing out a considerable amount of debris, branch out and by the narrow bed join with the river Alazani. Right tributaries are characterized by relatively less waters and have a smaller slope. The geological structure of the mountainous part of the left bank side of the basin is formed by sandstones and clay slabs, while the right side predominantly contains limestone and partially marl. The main rock layers are covered by sand and clay (loam) and soil ground. River feeding sources: Underground waters – 40%, rain waters – 31%, snow waters – 29%. Durable low level of water – in the winter, floods in the spring and summer.

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River regime. Floods in spring, constant low water level in winter and freshets in spring and summer during heavy rains. The Alazani river and its tributaries are characterized by irregular water flow: spring – 37%, summer – 31 %, autumn – 21 %, winter – 11%, during which the river does not freeze. The water resources of the river Alazani (within Georgia) equal to 3.10 km³ (570 mm). The river runoff module in the direction of the current fluctuates within 49.0-9.00 l/sec km². The both sides of the river tributaries are characterized by mudflows. Water balance: Precipitations – 800 mm, evaporation - 470 mm, runoff – 330 mm, underground runoff – 135 mm. The water balance has a relatively beneficial structure. The loss (the total amount of surface runoff and non-productive evaporation) makes 66%. River water is characterized by little salinity and is mainly used for the irrigation purposes. Table 5. Hydro-morphometric characteristics of the rivers of Alazani basin. Catchment area, Discharge Runoff rate, Basin Water layer, mm km2 m3/sec l/sec km2 Tsiplovaniskhevi 92 3.08 1050 33.4 Samkuristkali 121 5.30 1380 43.8 Stori 326 9.55 920 29.3 Didkhevi 95 2.84 940 29.9 Lopota 352 6.58 590 18.7 Chelti 144 3.74 820 26.0 Duruji 103 3.46 1060 33.6 Bursa 84 1.10 410 13.1 Kabali 391 10.0 810 25.6 Ilto 360 6.5 570 18.0 Khodasheniskhevi 90.6 0.84 290 9.27 Turdo 144 1.14 250 7.92 Matsantsara 50 0.26 160 5.20 Shromiskhevi 37 1.42 1210 38.4 Chermiskhevi 154 1.06 220 6.88 Alazani 6700 106 500 15.8

The Stori River – The left tributary of the river Alazani with its head water at 2,950 m altitude is located on the southern slope of the Caucasus Range near Stori Mountain. The length of the river is 38 km. Phshaveli-Omalo road going to Tusheti contours along its bank. The villages: Lechuri, Pshaveli and Laliskuri are located on its bank. On the river between Pshaveli and Lechura a water reservoir is built. The river is fed by snow, rain and groundwater. Flooding is common in spring time, low level of water in winter and freshets during the autumn time. The Stori river is one of the most affluent rivers, which during the summer time feeds Alazani river the most. Lopota – the river in the municipality of Telavi and Kvareli, the left tributary of the river Alazani. It starts at the southern slope of the Caucasus Range in the part of Kakheti at the 2,560 m altitude. Length – 33

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km, the basin area – 263 km. The river is fed by the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. Flood is common in spring, shallow waters – in the winter and spring. Freshets can sometimes be of a mudflow nature. Average annual discharge – 6.58 km³/sec. Lopota water is used for irrigation purposes. The Telavisrike River – with its source on the northern slope of the Tsiv-Gombori ridge at 1,795 m altitude joins the river Alazani from the right side. The length of the river is 21.0 km, while the area of the catchment is 50.0 km². The total length of the river tributaries is 16.4 km. The Chermiskhevi River – with its source at 1,260 m altitude, is at the southern slope of Dastape mountain. The length of the river is 35 km, and the basin area is 154 m². In the beginning, the river flows to the southern-east direction, while from the village Cheremi changing to the northern-east. It passes by the village Veliskhikhe to the east, joins with Papriskhevi river until the Alazani main canal and then enters the Alazani river. The basin of the river Chermiskhevi water head is of a complex landscape; the slopes are inter-sected with small ravines and chasms. In some places there are small landslides. The landscape becomes even more difficult in the vicinity of the village Cheremi; the village itself is located on an island that is attached by the river Chermiskhevi to the south and a small river to the north, taking its water head from the southern slope of Tbatsveri mountain. Both ravines on the edge of the village have deeply cut chasms (120-150 m). In the vicinity of the village, we meet active, potential and stable landslides. The landslide on the left side of Chermiskhevi spreads up to 1 km². The river Chermiskhevi is joined by the river Tkhiliskhevi to the right, with its water head from the Ka- daura mountain. On the slopes of the gorge and especially on the right side, have active landslides and denuded areas. The slopes of the river Chermiskhevi, 3 km away to the east of village Cheremi, developed two-sided landslides (length 250 m, width – 30-50 m). In the middle part of the gorge landslides have intensely developed; the length of some of those is 600-800, width 100-130 m. The width of the gorge bottom in this area is around 300 m. In the water head basin of the river Chermiskhevi, the denuded parts cover a considerable space. Due to exhaustion and destruction of the area, a huge amount of solid material is added to the gorge. Cher- miskhevi gorge is developed of limestones, sandstones and sand and clay (in the upper part), while in general by the cold conglomerates and sand and clay. It should be mentioned, that transitional accumulation starts from the upper part of the gorge and gradually increases. The village Velistsikhe is located on the former cone-shaped deposit from the river Chermiskhevi. At present, the river streams down the village to the east and has a tendency to overflow from both of its sides. The Papriskhevi River. The river, to the east from village Veliskhikhe joins Chermiskhevi ravine from the right side. The river is characterized by strong mudflows. Starts from the source near the Gombori mountain summit (950 m altitude) and flows into woodlands. At the water head of the river, where the ravine makes a V shape, landslide has formed. To the north, even wider areas are covered by landslides. The two-sided landslide existing in the middle part of the ravine, closes the bed of the gorge in spring, and for some time dams up the mudflow. The big rock stones of 4-5 m diameter carried down by the landslides are scattered over the bottom of the gorge. In this place, the bottom of the gorge is con- siderably wide (40-50m). Attention should be paid to the higher denuded parts (20-25 m); Landslide areas are mainly developed in the loam (sand and clay). To the south, the width of the bottom reaches 500-600 m. Because the decline angle of the bottom is weak, the river’s transitive accumulation is stronger and meandering watercourse flows in alluvium. To the north side of the railway, the accumulation gets even stronger, where the deposits form into a cone-shape. The accumulation is the strongest where the river Papriskhevi joins to the river Chermiskhevi. Because the river fully fills the bottom of the ravine, the artificial bed has been accommodated. The canal starts 1 km to the south from the river Papriskhevi’s confluence point (width 20-25 m), and because of its serpentine-shape, it quickly accu- mulates alluvial and fills up.

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The accumulation of the river is strong when crossing lower Alazani and as a result of the river bed also gets filled. Here the width of the old riverside fluctuates between 600-700 m. Down in 1, 5 km, the underground waters are flowing out on the Chermiskhevi bed, where the new river starts, streaming across the woodlands, where its bed width fluctuates between 20-30 m. The bed is cut through by its depth of 1-1.5 m and joins the river Alazani. Near Alazani it creates a small cone-shaped deposit. Through the observations made on the modern geomorphological processes, slope denudation and the cone-shaped deposits from the next rivers, it can be deducted, that in these ridges it is expected that periodically turbulent torrents may be developed. The rivers of southern-east part of the region are of small size and their mudflows are weak, however, they still manage to damage the agricultural lands. Attention should be paid to the following rivers in the Gurjaani Municipality: Ketiskhevi, Vedziruli (Akhtaliskhevi), Zghudriskhevi (Gurjaaniskhevi, Akh- taliskhevi), Tsiliankhevi, Kvelatsmindakhevi, and Amaghlebiskhevi. As it has been noted, these are relatively smaller rivers and their catchments are equally smaller. The landslides and denuded areas are found in the upper part that creates lots of solid material. During the heavy rains, it’s expected to have huge turbulent mudflows in the basins of these rivers. Freshets are more common, of which the strongest is Zghudriskhevi. The Baisubniskhevi River – takes its origin near the main watershed. Highly bent down hillsides are covered by forests while the formation of solid materials is seldom. According to the terms of creation of raging mountain torrents, floods are expected to occur. In the past, the river used to overflow its banks quite often. The Intsoba River – is mainly characterized by freshets. In the vicinity of its head water, where we meet denuded and intensively weathering areas, development of turbulent mudflows are expected. The slopes of the gorge are covered by forests. During freshets, the river sometimes overflows and damages agricultural lands. The Duruji River – The left tributary of the river Alazani flowing through the town of Kvareli. The river is formed by the united of the black and white Duruji on the southern slope of the Caucasus Range. Black Duruji starts from the mountain black rock, and the white Duruji starts on the southern slope of Nini- kastsikhe mountain. Length – 27 km, basin area – 103 km². In the upper stream the river is of a fan shape. The upper part of the highly declined slopes of the hillside and the river bed is covered with the thick debris of the fragmented shale product. The river bed also cuts through the debris. In the middle course, the gorge has the shape of a narrow canyon and is covered by forest. The bed is rocky, with waterfalls and rapids. In the lower course, the basin is relatively wide. Near the town of Kvareli, the bed of the gorge is fully comprised of cone-shaped deposit, where the river itself branches out. The river Duruji mainly is fed by the waters of snow and rain. It is shallow watered, with average annual water discharge of 1.06 m3/sec. The river is characterized by the freshet regime. In the upper stream of Duruji, periodically structural mudflows are created, where water discharge may reach 200m³/sec and more. It brings out a colossal amount of solid material from the mountains created into mud that is a huge danger to the town of Kvareli. Measures have been taken to eliminate the danger. The Samkuristskali River – the river in the Akhmeta municipality, it is one of those rivers that form the river Alazani. Its source is on the southern slope of the Caucasus range in the part of Kakheti at 2980 meters above sea level. Length – 18 km, basin area – 92 km2. The river is fed by snow, rain and underground waters. Floods occur usually in spring, shallow water and water below level – in the winter. Annual average discharge – 5.3 m3/sec. The Orvili River – takes its origin from the summit of Gombori ridge, at 1587 meters above sea level. It joins the river Alazani at the opposite side of the village Alvani. Town of Akkmeta is located on the former deposit from the river Orvili.

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In the formation of the river Orvili the cretaceous and third aged plaster clays, loam, sandstones, limestones and conglomerates participate. In many places of the gorge, we meet landslide areas of 300- 330 m width and 200 m length that fill the river with the solid material. It should be mentioned, that there are also denuded areas starting from 2-25 m height and 300-500 length. The rock layers intensely experience weathering. The tributaries of Orvili (Sabajokhevi, Kovaskhevi and Litrogoriskhevi) are V- shaped, while the river Sabajokhevi deposits huge amount of rocks and creates debris cone. The river Orvili gorge is narrow in its upper part (3-4 m), in the middle part it gets as wide as 30-50 m, while in the lower part is from 80 to 120 m. We encounter floodplains which either bushes or trees. There are thick rocky places and solid materials of sand on the bottom of the river. If the river manages to snatch this rocky place during the torrential waters and destroy the bottoms of the two side landslides of the gorge, then it is expected to have turbulent mudflows. By overflowing, the river Orvili has damaged town of Akhmeta for quite a few times. Near Akhmeta, when the river Alazani reaches the plain, the river Orvili forms the cone debris, where the gorge bed is cut and the river fills and overflows it almost every year. It becomes necessary to clean out the gorge. The river Orvili brings in to the river Alazani the solid material deposits in the form of loam. The Gurula River – With its water source from the summit side line of the Gombori ridge, has V-shaped gorges, the denuded areas and landslide. In spring-summer sometimes freshets take place that is con- nected with the rains. It rarely creates the turbulent mudflows. The Didrike River. (Sometimes by mistake called Khodashniskhevi or Khorkhlisrike) – starts from the southern slope of Gombori mountain at 1,680 m altitude. From the beginning, it has three branches that merge in the so called Nariani Valley. From here on, the gorge has quite a deep bed. There are active landslides to the right of the gorge. On the landslide slopes, trees are either torn or dried out. The left side of the river attracts attention by the rock avalanches. The landslide areas (width 2-2.5 km) lie just below the former village Sakevre (in 7-8 km from the water head). It flows down to the Didrike bed. Landslides are developed in the clay sediment. More to the north, on both sides of the river Didrike, the strong landslide bodies are observed; those following along the river for almost 2 km. The strong two- sided landslides are met in the vicinity of the village Akhaldaba, they sometimes even close the gorge. For example, this is how the gorge was filled by the two-side landslide in 1946 as a result of which the15 m depth temporary lake was created that was dammed up to the 4 km. The river that crossed over the lake, started gradually to cut into it and after 6 years the lake completely dried out. In the agricultural lands of the village Akhaldaba, to the left of the river, there are landslide areas (length 400, width 250 m), the large landslide has developed to the south-east of the village Akhaldaba as well, more precisely to the right side of the gorge (1 km length and 200-260 m width). Near the village Charekauli, close to the river Godli, the river Didrike flows out on the Alazani plain, where from the right side, it is joined by the river Shavkaba. To the left, on the southern slope of the Godli hillside, the developed landslide comes down to the bottom of the gorge that is washed away by the river. Here the river Didrike widens the bottom of its gorge up to 180-220 m. Besides the landslide bodies, along the gorge Didrike, there are denuded areas. The surface consisting of loam, marl and sandstones, is weathering intensively and provide the river with the considerable amount of solid material. Avaniskhevi – the river in Kvareli region, the left tributary of the river Alazani. Its water source is located on the watershed ridge of the Caucasus Range in the Kakheti part. Length – 28 km, basin area 185 km². From time to time, the upper flow can cause mudflows, while the lower flow - freshets. The Kabali River– the left tributary of the river Alazani. The water source is located on the southern slope of Caucasus of Kakheti. The length – 45 km, basin area – 391 km. Fed by the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. Floods usually occur in spring, stable low-level water in winter, unstable – in summer, freshets in autumn. 2854 ha area gets irrigated by the water of the river Kabala. Matsimistskali – the river in the Lagodekhii region and Azeirbaijan, the left tributary of the river Alazani. With its water source on the southern slope of the Caucasus Range on the part of Kakheti. Length – 39

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km, basin area – 326 km2. Fed by the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. The river is characterized by the floods in spring, low-level water- in winter and freshet- in summer-autumn. The river is used for irrigation. The Ilto River – the right tributary of the river Alazani, with its water source on the southern-eastern slope of the Kakheti ridge. The length - 43 km, basin area – 37 km2. Fed by the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. Flood in spring, low-level water – in winter. Freshets occur in spring and autumn. The average discharge 6.5 m3/sec. From the river Ilto the Matani canal is installed that irrigates 1,190 ha area. Turdo – the river in Telvi region. With its water source on the eastern slope of the Gombori mountain joins to the river Alazani from the right side. The length – 32 km, basin area – 114 km2. It creates a vast debris cone. Fed by the waters of snow and rain. Floods occur in spring, freshets in summer-autumn. Kisiskhevi – the river in the region of Telavi. The length – 37 km, basin area – 142 km2. With its water source on the northern-east slope of the Gombori ridge. Joins the river Alazani from the right side. Fed by the waters of snow and groundwater. Floods occur in spring, low-level water in winter. Freshets and torrents occur in summer-autumn causing mudflows. Average annual discharge by the village Kisiskhevi is 1.45 m3/sec. Lagodekhistskali – the river in Lagodekhi region, the right tributary of the river Mitsimistskali. Starts on the southern slope of the Caucasus Range, lengths - 31 km, and basin area – 98 km2. Fed by the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. Floods occur in spring, low-level water in summer, winter and autumn. Annual average discharge – 2.5 m3/sec. The river is used for irrigation. The Iori River – starts from the southern slope of the Caucasus range near the confluence of Kakheti and Kartli slopes on 2,800 m altitude. The river has tributaries only in the upper body. It flows in the narrow gorge, in its middle body crosses the Samgori cave and enters the Mingechavir reservoir (in the past it used to join the river Alazani). The length of the river Iori – 320 km. The tributaries directly flowing into Iori: Khashrula: (12 km length), Sagami (18 km), Verkhveli (16 km), Adzedzi (16 km), Gombori (13 km) Lapiankhevi (10 km), Lakbe (32 km) and Ole (29 km). The river feeding sources: The groundwater – 39 %, rain waters – 33 %, snow waters – 28 %. The river regime: flood – in spring, shallow water – in winter, freshets – in spring and summer during heavy rains. Water resources. The river Iori’s water resources (Inside Georgia) – 0.80 km3 (210mm). The middle and below parts of the basin are shallow watered. The module of runoff varies within 5.00-2.80 l/sec km2. During the shallow waters, the river runoff is often below the ecological norm. In the near future, because of the global warming and desertification processes, it is expected that the water deficit will increase. Iori length – 320 km, basin area – 4,650 km2, average annual discharge – 12 m3/sec (in 43 km from the mouth). In the basin of the river Iori, on the outskirts Kakheti valley, scattered are the small-sized unimportant salty lakes. Mentions worthy reservoirs of the Iori basin are Sioni and Dalismta. The Sioni Reservoir Start of operation: 1946 Dam height: 85 m Maximum surface area: 14.4 km2 Total volume: 325 × 106 m3 Active storage capacity: 315 × 106 m3 Operating discharge: 30 m3/sec

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Power production: Installed capacity 9 MW The Dalistma Reservoir Total volume: 180 × 106 m3 Active storage capacity: 140 × 106 m3 Water balance. Precipitation - 800 mm. Evaporation – 470 mm, runoff – 330 m, groundwater runoff– 135 mm. The water balance of the river Alazani is relatively positive, where the loss (the surface runoff and non-productive evaporation total) makes 66%, while the same indicator for the river Iori is 68%. However, the plain and low mountain part (>1000) is characterized with unbeneficial water balance structure, especially the southern part of the river Iori (Kazaniani – the state border), where the loss exceeds 75 %. Qusno (Verkhveli) – the river in Tianeti municipality and right tributary of the River Iori. With its water source on the eastern slope of the Kartli ridge, at the 1,985 m height from the sea level. Length is 20 km, basin area – 88 km2. Fed by the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. Floods occur in spring, low level of water – in winter, freshets - in summer and autumn. Average annual dis-charge 1.3 m3/sec, used for irrigation. Lapiankhevi – Mudflow river in Sagarejo municipality, the left tributary of the river Iori. The water source is located on the western slope of the Gombori mountain range. Fed by the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. Floods occur in spring and winter, mudflows in autumn. Average annual discharge 0.5 m3/sec. Gombori – the river on the southern-west slope of the Gombori ridge. The length 13 km. The water source is near the Gombori mountain pass, at 1,550 meters above the sea level. Near the village Ota- raantkari joins the river Iori from the left side. Fed by the waters of rain, snow and groundwater. Floods normally occur in the spring time, while the winter is characterized by shallow waters. Lakbe – the river in Gurjaani municipality, the left tributary of the river Iori. Starts from the southern-west slope of the Gombori ridge, at 935 meters above the sea level. Length - 32 km, basin area 235 km2. Fed by the waters of rain, snow and groundwater. Floods occur in spring, low level waters - in summer and winter, freshets – in autumn. Tushehti Alazani – The river on the northern slope of the Caucasus Range, in the Tusheti region, one of the constituents of the river Andis Koisu. Starts from the eastern slope of Atsunta ridge. The length – 59 km, basin area – 825 km2. Feeds on the waters of snow, glacier, rain and groundwater. Floods occur in spring, shallow waters in autumn and winter. The annual average discharge – 24 m3/sec. The main tributaries of Alazani of Tusheti: Pirikita Alazani, Tsovatistskali (left), Ortiskali and Alazani of Khiso (right). Pirikita Alazani (Kvakhidistskali in the upper flow) – The river in Tusheti, one of the constituents of the Andis Koisu. The length – 49 km, the basin area – 368 km2. The water source is located on the southern slope of the ridge at 3,195 m above the sea level; Joins the river Tusheti Alazani from the left side, near the village Omalo. Feeds on the waters of snow, glacier and underground waters. Floods occur in spring- summer (maximum – in July), shallow waters – from November to April. From November to March freezes slightly, ice-floe and frozen surface appear. Because of pancake ice water is accumulated, and its level increases. In seldom cases, it gets covered with the full ice layer on the parts of the slow stream. The annual average discharge by the mouth 10.2 m3/sec. 34 % of the annual runoff is in spring, 56% in autumn and 10 % - in winter. The main left tributaries are Didi Khevi, Tursiekhi Khevi, Chontion, Girevi, Farsma, Chesho, Tsirbevi, Tsiskvilebi, Kvavlo, Dano and Chigho. The right tributary is Larovnistskali. Table 6. Hydro-morphometric characteristics of the rivers of Tusheti Alazani basin

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/sec /sec

3 River Basin

mm mm

Water Dis- Water

Altitude, m m Altitude,

Space, km Space,

Length, km Length,

Water Layer, Layer, Water

charge m charge Pirikita Alazani 50 371 2,800 10.2 868 Tusheti Alazani 62 869 2,650 27.0 981 Khiso Alazani 109 2,600

The Alazani River lower irrigation system. The head building of the main irrigation canal is arranged below the river Chelta mouth, near the village Kondoli that gets 20 m3 water from its right-side water- supplier. The main canal flows on the right side of the river Alazani, crosses villages of Bakurtshikhe, Kardenakhi, old Anaga and other villages and joins the river Alazani near the Zemo Keda village. The length of the main canal – 96 km. By the means of the river Alazani irrigation system, in total 34,496 ha territory is being irrigated. 34,426 ha belong to the irrigation system, which is distributed among the regions in the following way: In Telavi region – 136 ha, in Gurjaani region – 10325 ha, in Sighnaghi region – 22,944 ha, in Dedoplistkaro region – 1,011 ha. Irrigation areas are distributed among the separate plants in the following way: cropland – 18088 ha, vineyards – 5,899 ha, orchards – 2,896 ha, pastures – 3,811 ha, plots of land – 3,679 ha and mowing land - 53 ha. The Alazani River Upper irrigation system. The head building of the main irrigation canal is arranged in the upper part the river Alazani, in the Pankisi ravine, up to the river Lopota tributary and near the village Doe. The main canal flows on the right side of the river Alazani, after crossing the river Ilto streams to the Alazani valley and flows across the slopes of the Tsiv-Gombori ridge until the river Papriskhevi. The length of the main canal in this area is 79 km, its water permeability - 24 m3/sec. 41,000 ha area of the Akhmeta, Telavi and Gurjaani regions are irrigated by the distributary canals from the main irrigation canal. Naurdali Irrigation System. Is located on the right side of the river Stori. 10,000 ha area is irrigated by the Stori river. Samgori irrigation System consists of the sub-systems of the upper Samgori (beginning – Sioni reservoir, end - Samgori reservoir) and lower Samgori (beginning – Samgori reservoir, end – Jandara reservoir). The total length of Samgori irrigation system (Sioni-Samgori-Jandara reservoirs) is 105 km. For its maintenance 485 mill m3 water is regulated on the river Iori and 57,000 ha area gets irrigated. Water regimes of the river Alazani and its tributaries’ have been under observation by the 26 hydrological stations since 1912. At present only one station is being operated (Alazani – village Shakriani) (Figure 8).

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Figure 8. Hydrological Observation Network in the Alazani-Iori basin

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5.2 General hydrographic description of the rivers of Khrami- Debed basins

The Khrami River with its water source from the stream located on the southern slope of the Trialeti ridge, represents the right tributary of the Mtkvari river. It is called “Qtsia” In the upper part. In the upper part, the basin is represented by the high ridges and volcanic valleys, while in the lower part - by the Marneuli alluvial plain. The relief is very much split by the numerous tributaries. The following parts are being marked out: From the source to town of Tsalka, from town of Tsalka to Arakhlo and from Arakhlo to the mouth. Main characteristics of Krami river: Length of the river: 201 km The water source: 2422 m The water mouth: 254 m Catchment area: 8,340 km2 (including the basin located in Armenia) Average altitude of the basin: 1,517 m Difference between head and source: 2,167 m Frequency of the rivers’ net: 1.78 km/km2 There are more than 2,200 rivers in the basin, with the total length of 6,471 km. What is more, there are several small lakes and the Tsalka reservoir. Maximum water discharge of the river Khrami is spring period, specifically in April and May. The flow of the river is the smallest in winter. Also, shallow water is common for the remaining periods of the year, however, the situation periodically changes at the expense of spring and autumn floods. Average annual discharge of the river Khrami near the observation station “Red Bridge”; 1950-1995 years - 3.36 L/sec per 1 square km (was reaching maximum 15 L/sec per 1 square km in the upper part of the river). Average annual discharge of the river Khrami near the observation station “Red Bridge”; 1950-1995 years - 53.5 m3/sec. Water balance near the Station “Red Bridge”; 1950-1995: Precipitation – 2,862 mill m3, evaporation – 1,815 mill m3, water discharge – 1,047 mill m3, underground water discharge – 457 mill m3. The river is fed by the waters of the snow-rain and the groundwater. The river Khrami does not freeze. Lower part of the river is used for irrigation. On the river Khrami the complex purpose Tsalka reservoir is built, the latter fed mainly by the river Khrami and other small rivers. Also, fed by the waters of snow and rain. It was constructed for energetic purposes in 1946. It is regulated based on seasons, with low levels of water in February-March. Accu- mulation of water starts in April and lasts until July when the expenditure of water starts. The level intensively decreases from November, when the hydroelectric stations start working with the full capacity. Tsalka reservoir characteristics: Filling source – river Khrami; Filling Type – bed; Dam height – 33 m, the length of the reservoir – 14 km; The longest width – 3.5 km; average width – 2.4 km; The deepest width – 25 m; The water surface area – 33.6 km2; the total water amount – 312 mill m3; useful – 293 mill m3. The Korsuchai River. With its water source from spring existing in the central part of the northern slope of the Bedeni ridge, in 21 km to the north-east of the summit Iaila, it joins to Tsalka reservoir to the south of the village Beshtasheni at the altitude of 1,506 m.

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There are 22 rivers in the basin, with a total length of 54 km. The basin has a prolonged shape; it is characterized by the valley relief. The river is not deep along its entire stream and flows into a wide gorge of a box shape. Below 1.5 km of the village Imeri river gorge becomes a V-shaped. The river regime is characterized by floods and low-level waters in spring that is deranged by summer- autumn freshets occurring in several years. Dangerous hydrological events have not been observed. The river feeds on melted snow and rainwater. The distribution of inter-annual flow is uneven. It is especially affluent in April-June, which is 87 % of the total runoff. The remaining 13 % is mainly in summer and autumn. The winter’s runoff is too small. The water of the river is turbid, as a result it’s not suitable for drinking. As well it’s not used for agricultural purposes. The Karabulakhi River. With its headwater on the Eastern slope of the Javakheti ridge, joins to the river Qtsia-Khrami from the right side. There are 83 rivers in the river basin, with the total length of 240 km. The main tributaries are the rivers: Todzikhi (11 km), Akha (12 km) and Dagermanders (10 km). There are three lakes in the basin, with the total surface area – 0.14 km2. The volcanic rock layers prevail in the structure of the basin. The river gorge is symmetric and mostly straight. From the water source to the confluence of river Todzikhi, it is of V shape. In the valley, until the village Karabulakhi it has no clear shape of form, while between the villages of upper and lower Karabulakh, it gets the shape of a box. The banks of the river often merge with the slopes. Characteristic for the regime - flood in spring, volatile low level water in summer and in winter and the rise of water level during spring floods, mostly in the months of March-April. It reaches the maximum in May. The rain reaches the peak that is almost 3-4 times a day in the spring, with the duration of 2 to 10 days. The decrease in flood levels as a result of rains prolongs until beginning of June-July, after what summer unstable low water level occurs, that comes apart mostly as a result of the rains. Dangerous hydrological events have not been observed on the river. The river feeds on the underground water, snow and rain. It is relatively water affluent in spring (III-IV), in this period the flow is 36-39 %. Summer flow makes 27-29 %, while in autumn, on yearly bases it varies from 9 to 29 %. Low level water is usual in winter (XII-II), when the flow makes 13-15 % of the total flow. The river water is clean and suitable for drinking. It gets dirty only in the region of village Upper Karabu- lakhi because of swamp waters flowing into it, therefore in this period of time, it is not good for drinking. The Aslanka River (Khachkobashkevi). With its headwater from the stream located on the eastern slope of the Bedeni ridge, makes the left tributary of the river Qtsia. The river net is represented by numerous and small rivers, with the total length of 92 km. The basin has asymmetric, pear like shape, its length is 20.5 km, width – 5 km. The mountainous-forest soils prevail in the basin. The gorge has V shape between the source and the village Jighrasheni and between the village Ipnari and the mouth, while in the rest of the flows its shape is mostly of trapezium. The river has the grove in its whole stream. The depth of the river is unimportant – 0.1-0.3 m. The highest speed – 2 m/sec and lowest speed – 0.5 m/sec. The river regime is characterized by floods in spring, freshets in summer-autumn and stable low level water in winter. Flood starts in March; it reaches the maximum level in June. Groundwater, snow and rain feed the river. 57 % of all the flow is in spring, while in winter – 5-7 %. The solid flow and hydro- chemistry has not been studied. The Chivchava River. Originates from the stream, with its water source to the north-south of the village Ivanovka flows along 5 km and joins The River Qtsia-Krami from the left side, in 2 km below the village Samshvilde. The river has small tributaries, their length does not exceed 2-3 km. The gorge is of V shape. The left slope is higher than the right one and reaches 230 m. The depth of the river is 2 m, the highest speed – 2 m/sec, the lowest speed- 0.15 m/sec.

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Water flow is characterized by the spring floods, by summer-autumn freshets and low level waters in summer-winter. Floods occur in spring, in the beginning of March. The maximal levels are observed by the end of April – in the beginning of May. Dangerous hydrological events are not being observed on the river. It feeds on the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. The Mashavera River (Chapali). Derives as a result of merging of the two rivers – Sarpdere and Nazi- klichi and represents the right tributary of the Qtsia-Khrami river. Its main tributaries are: Sarprede (19 km), Nazalchiki (12 km), Kamarlo (18 km), Mamutli (21 km), Karaklisa 913 km), Moshevani (25 km), Ukangoro (13 km), Geta (22 km), Bolnisi (42 km) and talaverchai (17 km). The river net of the river Mashavera is symmetrical. It is joined with all the tributaries in the mountainous part of the basin, up to the village Qvesha. In the lower flow, for about 27 km it does not have any tributary, except of the river Bolnisi. Lots of irrigation canals flow out from the river. As for its tributary Talaverchai, does not reach the confluence because it is totally used for irrigation. There are many lakes and wetlands in the upper part of the Dmanisi valley. The lakes are located at 1,350-1,650 m altitude. The biggest among them is Soltsgaligeli (Orozmani); the biggest wetland is Kamarlini, that is located on 1,430 m altitude, and the surface area is – 0.3 km2. The basin has asymmetric shape and covers the zone of altitudes from 400 to 3,150 m. There are terraces in the whole flow of the river, the width of them varying from 80 to 2-3 km. The river depth varies from 0.4-0.6 m to 0.8-12 m, the river speed – 1.5-2 m/sec. The river’s regime is characterized by the spring floods and unstable low level waters in the remaining seasons. The increase of flood level starts in the beginning of April. The floods are often accompanied by the peaks of frequent rains. Dangerous hydrological events are not observed on the river. The feeding source is the water of snow- rain and underground waters. The Solid is not studied. The river is used for irrigation. The Moshevani River (Dumanisi). With its water source from the spring, flows down from the Somkhiti ridge and is the right tributary of the River Mashavera. The basin has the symmetric shape and is located on the northern slope of the Somkhiti ridge. Basalts prevail in the geological structure of the basin. The river has the nature of the mountain river. With the depth of 0.1-0.2 km, speed changes from 0.7 m/sec to 1.6 m/sec. Like the river Mashavera, the movement of levels is characterized by the spring flood and unstable low level waters in summer and winter. The increase of flood level starts from the end of March and the beginning of April and reaches the maximum level mostly in May. The rise of the levels continues until the beginning of July. Especially affluent period is in May, sine more than 20% of the annual flow occurs during this time. Dangerous hydrological events have not been observed on the river. The river feeds on the groundwater, snow and rain. Water in the river is transparent, no color, taste or smell and is suitable for drinking. The Bolnisi River (Khakhinchai, Bolnischai, Pirpinjanchai, Akh-Kerpichai) water source starts from the eastern slope of the Somkhiti ridge, joins the river Mashavera from the right side. The main tributaries are the river Gulmagometchai (14 km) and Lokchai (15 km), the rest 58 are small tributaries, with the common length of 112 km. The river gorge up to the village Samtsverisi is mainly of V shape, with the river bed length of 20-30 m. It gets wider in the lower flow and receives the trapezium shape. The width of the river changes from 4 m to 12, depth – 0.3-0.6 m, the speed of the river – 0.8-1 m/sec. Spring flood starts normally in March, 60% of the annual flow is in April-June, while winter flow is - 8.9%.

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Dangerous hydrological events are not being observed on the river. It feeds on the waters of snow, rain and groundwater. Irrigation canals are installed on the river. The Talaverchai River (Kizilkaichai). With its water source on the northern slope of the nameless branch of the Loki ridge, joins the Karasu canal installed from the right bank of the River Bolnisi. The river has seven small tributaries with the total length of 22 km. The river gorge in the upper and middle flows is of V shape, however, it is weakly contoured in the lower flow joining the Marneuli valley. Water vanishes in the river in the months of June-July; Water re-appears 3-4 times during the summer- autumn rains. Freshets are short and last for several hours. The river Talaverchai belongs to the spring flow river type. The runoff of summer-autumn is small, while it does not exist in winter. During floods and flash floods, the water of river is turbid, has a dirty yellow color and is unsuitable for drinking. The river is not used for the agricultural purposes. The Shulaverchai River (Lepeta). Originated from two small streams on the northern slope of the Loki ridge, joins the river Qtsia-Khrami to the right. The river has 18 small tributaries, with the total length of 41 km. The river regime is characterized by the levels of long-lasting shallow waters that are being made stronger by the strong and frequent rains. Especially small levels of water are characteristic for winter, in this period the annual flow is 14%, in the spring - 42%, in the summer - 27.5% and in the autumn - 16.5%. Dangerous hydrological events are not observed on the river. It nourishes from the waters of snow, rain and underground. The river has not been studied from the hydro-chemical point of view. During the low water level, the water is clean, transparent and suitable for drinking. Despite low water level, the river is still important for irrigation. For this purpose, primitive but numerous canals are installed on the river. The Debed River. With its water source on the eastern slope of the Javakheti ridge at 2091 m altitude, represents the left tributary of the river Qtsia-Khrami. The river Debed is trans-boundary and comes inside of the Georgian borders in the territory of Kartli, in the Marneuli region. The river’s length – 178 km, basin area – 4,100 km2, average discharge nearby the village Sadakhlo – 29.7 m3/sec. Floods occur on the river in springs, low-level waters – in winter and autumn. The river is used for irrigation purposes. The Algeti River – flows in Tetri Tskaro and Marneuli municipalities. Its water source is on the southern slope of the Trialeti ridge, near the Kldekari rocks (at 1900 meters above sea level). The river length – 108 km, basin area – 763 km2. In the upper part the river streems to the south-east in the deep, woody gorge and in the narrow and rocky gorge starting from village Tbisi, then, near Marneuli comes out on the plain and near village Kesalo joins Mtkvari river to the right. Feeds on the waters of rain, snow and groundwater. Approximately 45% of an annual runoff is made from rain water, 25% - from snow and 30% - from underground waters. Floods normally occur in spring time and at the beginning of summer, level of water in other seasons is lower. The minimum amount of flow occurs in October. Almost 48% of the annual runoff occurs in spring, 32% - in summer, 12% - in winter and 8% - in autumn. Algeti Reservoir – the reservoir on Algeti river. Is located in the Kvemo Kartli side of Tetri Tskaro municipality in 60 km from Tbilisi Lake. The water area of the reservoir – 65 mill m3, useful area – 60 mill m3, length – 3.7 km, width – 0.4 km. Algeti river flows on the reservoir. It operates 1, 1 megawatt hydroelectric station. Algeti reservoir started operation in 1983. Its water is used to supply Tbisi-Kumisi irrigation system. Besides, it provides water to the villages: Jorjiashvili, Asureti, Borbalo, Koda, Marabda etc. 6 ha land was irrigated in 2007. At present hydrological observation of water regime in the Khrami-Debed basin occurs on one hydrological station riv. Mashavera - vill.Kazreti (Figure 9).

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Figure 9. Hydrological Observation Network in the Khrami-Debed basin

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6 HUMAN PRESSURES AND USES

6.1 Hydro-morphological changes

The evaluation/identification of hydro-morphological changes was made by means of the high-resolution satellite images and photo-interpretations. As mentioned above, the existing digital hydrological network was created in the 1960-70s on the basis of the topographic maps and accordingly they do not illustrate the present state, because during 60 years, a certain number of the hydrological objects have undergone considerable changes especially by the impact of anthropological influence. The main changes relate to the rivers and water bodies on the agricultural lands, the shape of the beds that has been changed or has been abolished completely after the installment of irrigation systems (Figure 10). No modifications were registered in the unified data base in the Soviet Union times or in the following period. Therefore the evaluation/identification of the hydro-morphological changes was carried out by means of satellite images and photo-interpretations. In the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins, the following changes were revealed in the satellite images (Figure 11 & Figure 12): 1. Altered riparian habitats 2. Low flow 3. Storage 4. Variable flow 5. Impoundment / reduced flow velocity 6. Altered sediment continuity and/or dynamics 7. Changed planform/channel pattern 8. Bed/Bank fixation 9. Altered instream habitats 10. Lateral continuity alteration 11. Narrowed cross section

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Figure 10. Hydro-morphological changes on the River Stori and Intsoba

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Figure 11. Map of hydromorphological alterations in the Alazani-Iori Basin.

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Figure 12. Map of hydromorphological alterations in the Khrami-Debed Basin.

6.2 Identification of heavily modified and artificial water bodies in the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins

Within the framework of the current project the next stage of delineation of surface water bodies is the identification and designation of heavily modified water bodies (HMWB) and artificial water bodies (AWB) as a result of the above mentioned hydro morphological alterations as well as assessment of significance of irrigation channels (Figure 13 & Figure 14) and impacts. The main objective of Water Framework Directive is the achievement and maintenance of “good ecological and chemical status” of surface waters of the country. As a result of anthropogenic impact, some water bodies have very little potential to achieve a good ecological status. Consequently, it is important to identify and designate such water bodies. After evaluating various criteria (as defined in the corre- sponding CIS Guidance document) they can be assigned as HMWB. In this report they are defined as provisional HMWB (pHMWB). Artificial water bodies (AWB) were identified, where surface water bodies were artificially created by human activities in places where previously no significant surface water was present at all. Artificial water bodies (AWB) were not created on the basis of modification of previously existing water bodies or as a result of direct impact. In the river basins of Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed, several irrigation channels and fish farms can be considered as artificial, however only irrigation channels with an irrigation area >100 ha were classified as AWB. In the case of fish farms, only objects larger than 0.5 km2 were identified and designated as AWB.

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In hydrological basins of the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed three types of hydro-morphological modifications/impacts are relevant: modification of hydrological regime, modification of river continuity and morphological condition. Among the 437 water bodies identified in the Alazani-Iori basin, 137 are considered of being under hydro-morphological pressure. In the Khrami-Debed basin 84 surface water bodies out of 307 experience hydro-morphological pressure. It should be noted that not all such water bodies are irreversibly modified bodies, so it is important to accurately identify heavily modified bodies. In Georgia, particularly in case of hydrological basins under review, the main challenge is the lack of data, which makes it difficult to make the qualitative categori- zation of the degree of modification of these bodies.

Figure 13. The Magistral Canals and Canals (Category I) in the Khrami-Debed Basin.

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Figure 14. The Magistral Canals and Canals (Category I) in the Alazani-Iori Basin

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6.2.1 Heavily modified water bodies (HMWB)

The lowland of the Alazani-Iori Basin is characterised by intensive agriculture with numerous irrigation systems. The north-east ridge of the basin is rich in rivers that have energy generation potential, thus irrigation and energy generation are the two main anthropologic impacts influencing Alazani-Iori basin and consequently causing modification of hydrological network and disturbing hydrological regime of the rivers. In the Alazani-Iori Basin, 12 provisional HMWB were identified in total (Figure 15): One (1) pHMWB was identified on the Alazani River: Alz107

 Water abstraction is carried out from Alz107 water body in upper Alazani channel to irrigate agricultural plots of land with the area of 20,766 ha. 10 km section of the river starting from the place of water abstraction experiences seasonal shallowness (Low Flow) Seven (7) pHMWB were identified on the Iori RIver: Ior109, Ior110, Ior115, Ior119, Ior120, Ior121, Ior131.

 Ior109 water body as a result of the accumulation of the river is under considerable pressure and is currently represented as the Sioni reservoir. The Sioni reservoir regulates the flow of the river and prevents transportation of solid sediment. The hydro-electric power plant is located on the Sioni reservoir with an installed capacity of 9 MW.

 Ior110 water body is under Sioni water reservoir pressure, which regulates the flow of the river and prevents transportation of solid sediment. The pressure continues up to the estuary of river Iori and river Adzedzi (Storage, Variable flow)

 Water abstraction is carried out from Ior115 water body through Zemo Samgori channel to irrigate agricultural plots of land with the total area of 17,288 ha and to fill Tbilisi water reservoir. There is also Satskhenisi 14 MW hydroelectric power station on water body. The pressure continues up to the mouth of river Iori and river Lapiankhevi.

 Water abstracted from Zemo Samgori channel, water abstracted from Khashmi channel and plus water abstraction for left Qvemo Samgori channel (to irrigate 13,414 ha of agricultural plots of land) and right Qvemo Samgori channel (to irrigate 9,642 ha of agricultural plots of land) continue to influence water body Ior119, Ior120, Ior121. The influence continues up to the estuary of river Iori and river Teliankhevi (Low Flow).

 Ior131 water body as a result of the accumulation of the river is under considerable pressure and is currently represented as the Dalismta reservoir. The Dalismta reservoir regulates the flow of the river and prevents transportation of solid sediment. There is currently no water abstraction from this river. One (1) heavily modified water body was identified on the Bursa River: Bur203

 Water abstraction is carried out from Bur203 to fill Kvareli lake. One (1) heavily modified water body was identified on the Matsantsara River: Mas203

 Mas203 water body is river Matsantsara, whose morphology is heavily modified. (Modified water reservoir/channel; Change planform/Channel pattern) One (1) heavily modified water body was identified on the Telavi-rike River: Ter302.

 Ter302 water body is river Telavi-rike whose morphology is heavily modified. The river is surrounded with concrete embankment protecting from mudflow. One (1) heavily modified water body was identified on the Ole River: Ole201

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 Ole201water body is the upper course of river Matsantsara, whose morphology is heavily modified. (Modified water reservoir/channel; Change planform/Channel pattern ) In the Khrami-Debed Basin 12 provisional HMWB were identified and designated (Figure 16): Nine (9) heavily modified water bodies were identified on the Khrami River: Khr109, Khr112, Khr113, Khr114, Khr115, Khr116, Khr117, Khr118, Khr119.

 Khr109 water body as a result of the accumulation of the river is under considerable pressure and is currently represented as the Tsalka reservoir. The Tsalka reservoir regulates the flow of the river and prevents transportation of solid sediment. Water abstraction is carried out for hy- dropower plants of Khrami cascade.

 Khr112, Khr113, Khr114, Khr115, Khr116, Khr117, Khr118, Khr119 water bodies are under the pressure of cascade-derivational hydroelectric power station (Khrami). Two (2) heavily modified water body was identified on the Algeti River: Alg110, Alg117.

 Alg110 water body as a result of the accumulation of the river is under considerable pressure and is currently represented as the Algeti reservoir. The Algeti reservoir regulates the flow of the river and prevents transportation of solid sediment. Water abstraction is carried out to provide Tbisi-Kumisi channel for irrigatation of 5,410 ha agricultural plots.

 Water abstraction is carried out from Alg117 water body through 9 April channel to irrigate agricultural plots of land with the area of 470 ha. Influence continues up to the estuary of river Algeti and river Mtkvari (Low Flow). One (1) heavily modified water body was identified on the Kazretula River:

 Mdn302 water body is surrounded with a tunnel protecting from mining and chemical pollution. Influence continues up to Daba Kazreti. 6.2.2 Artificial water bodies (AWB)

In the Alazani-Iori Basin 33 artificial water bodies (AWB) were identified and designated (Fig-ure 15): 29 are channel water bodies (irrigated plots of land, with no less than 100ha), while 4 are fish farm ponds. Data on the channels and other irrigation systems were obtained from the Georgian Amelioration and Land Management Service. As to the water reservoirs and fish ponds, they were acquired and interpreted with the use of satellite imagery. In the Khrami-Debed basin 39 water artificial bodies (AWB) were identified and designated, all of them are 39 channels (irrigated plots of land, with no less than 100 ha) (Figure 16). Data on channels and other irrigation systems were provided by a Georgian Amelioration and Land Management Service, and water reservoirs and fish farm ponds were interpreted with the use of satellite imagery.

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Figure 15. Heavily modified water bodies and Artificial water bodies in the Alazani-Iori Basin

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Figure 16. Heavily modified water bodies and Artificial water bodies in the Khrami-Debed Basin.

6.3 Pollution

In the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basins 3 types of diffuse and 2 types of point pollution sources were identified. Diffuse pollution: 1. Cattle breeding 2. Agricultural activities 3. Illegal dumping

Point source pollution: 1. Urban wastewater discharge 2. Mining industry

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6.4 Other pressures and assessment of risk status

Among other anthropogenic pressures, quantitative impacts/pressure on water should be noted. The latter is the result of water abstraction, which was partly already been addressed above under the hydro- meteorological impacts. It should be noted that the data on the point and diffuse sources of pollution and quantitative impacts were developed according to the RBMP draft chapters of the Pressure and impact of human activities on water resources, developed in the frame of the project “EU Water Initiative and Eastern Partnership (EUWI + 4EaP)” by a local RBMP Contractor – REC Caucasus. Based on the anthropological impact and evaluation and the analysis of water quality and general ecological condition, that is itself based on the existing data, expert assessment, and historical information, the water bodies at risk (WBR) were identified. In the Alazani-Iori River Basin, 30 SWB were identified as affected by major anthropogenic pressures and consequently are designated as SWB ‘at risk’ (see Annex 2.4: List of significant water-relevant human pressures in the Alazani-Iori Basin). 142 SWB where human pressures do not show a significant impact were identified as WB ‘possibly at risk’. The remaining 265 Surface Water Bodies are identified as natural SWB ‘not at risk’. These numbers refer to natural water bodies only. At present, the risk status of AWB is not assessed. In the Khrami-Debeda River Basin, where 307 SWB were delineated, 45 SWB are under significant pressures and impact and consequently are designated as SWB ‘at risk’ (see Annex 2.5: List of significant water-relevant human pressures in the Khrami-Debed Basin); 169 surface water bodies are under less significant human pressure, therefore they are designated as SWB ‘possibly at risk’, and the remaining 93 SWB are identified as natural SWB ‘not at risk’. All types of the pressure/impact data presented in this chapter are found in the forms of characteristics of surface water bodies (see Annex 2.6: Surface water bodies characteristics), which were prepared according to the given template (Template for Characterization of SWB).

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7 MONITORING

470 hydrological stations were operating in Georgia at different times. In the 1960s up to 150 stations were operating simultaneously, but in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union the monitoring network was reduced to 5-7 stations. A rehabilitation of the monitoring network started after 2000. Presently there are 43 water level measuring automatic stations installed in Georgia, however only 26 from them are functioning. In addition, 11 water level measuring non-automatic stations are operating. Thus, in total there are 37 water level measuring stations in Georgia. The water discharge is measured at 10-12 hydrological cross-sections. It is planned to carry out water discharge measurements at 20-22 hydrological cross-sections in 2019.

7.1 Surface water monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin

7.1.1 Hydrological monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin

In the Alazani-Iori Basin up to 40 hydrological stations were operating at different times, but for the moment only one non-automatic station is functioning on Alazani River at the village Shakriani. This station is the only cross-section where the water discharge is measured. As for the automatic stations, there is one installed on Alazani River at the village Birkiani that measures only water levels. In 2019 rehabilitation of two hydrological stations are planned at village Zemo Qedi on Alazani River and at the village Lelovani on Iori River, where water levels and discharge are measured. Water discharge measurements will also be resumed at Birkiani station.

7.1.2 Water quality monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin

Due to underdevelopment of water quality monitoring network, data base on physico-chemical parameters of water quality in the Alazani-Iori basin is poor and incomplete. There are 4 water quality monitoring stations operating on the Alazani River at Shakriani, Chiauri, Alaverdi and Omalo. Two water quality monitoring stations are located on the Iori River near the villages Sasadilo and Sartichala. These stations are operated by Environmental Pollution Monitoring of the National Environmental Agency (NEA) of Georgia. Systematic monitoring is not performed in these locations either, which hinders the provision of complete information about water quality (Monitoring is carried out either monthly or quarterly). The following physical and chemical parameters are measured on the mentioned stations: pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrite, nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, phosphates, sul- phates, electrical conductivity, TDS concentration, iron, zinc, copper, lead, man-ganese. Monitoring of specific organic substances, such as PAH, PCBs, pesticides, etc., is not carried out within the framework of National program of Water Quality Monitoring. In addition to the above-mentioned, since 2014 water samples were taken once in a quarter in order to perform observations of the water quality on the following rivers: Duruji (near Kvareli), Intsoba (near village Gremi), Lopota (near village Sachino), Stori (near village Lechura), Chelti (near Kvareli), Bursa (near Kvareli), Batsara (near Kvareli), Kabali (near Kabali HPP), Turdo, Telaviskhevi, Ninoskhevi (NEA). 7.1.3 Hydro-biological monitoring in the Alazani-Iori basin

In 2011-2016, within the framework of the project “Environmental Protection of International River Basins (EPIRB)” implemented with the support of the European Union, chemical and biological samples were

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taken in the Alazani basin to evaluate the ecological status of surface waters. Ecological status of the rivers in the basin was classified on the basis of the following data: (1) macroinvertebrates, as status of biological elements (2) physical-chemical elements, and (3) hydro-morphological changes (RECC Report 2019). Rivers of the Alazani basin were divided into three groups of water objects:

 Small mountain rivers with the pebble bottom, where samples were taken: in the upstream of the Batsara River;  Medium size mountain rivers with pebble bottom, where samples were taken from the Stori River upstream and downstream of village Lechuri;  Medium size mountain braded rivers, where samples were taken on the Kabali River, near Kabali HPP.

Sampling was done from 2012 to 2016 seasonally: in spring (April-May), summer (2012-2013, August) and autumn (October-November) (RECC Report 2019).

7.2 Surface water monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin

7.2.1 Hydrological monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin

Up to 30 hydrological stations were operating in the Khrami-Debed Basin at different times. Cur-rently there is only one functioning non-automatic water level measuring station, located on the Mashavera River at Kazreti. Unfortunately, water discharge is not measured at this station. In 2019 it is planned to restore 4 hydrological stations, where water levels and discharge will be measured (Ktsia/Khrami at Edikilisa, Ktsia/Khrami at Dagheti, Ktsia/Khrami at Red Bridge, Debed at Sadakhlo).

7.2.2 Water quality monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin

In Khrami basin there are only 4 stations for water quality monitoring (Red Bridge, Imiri, Na-khiduri, Khrami HPP), and 1 station on the Debed River at Sadakhlo, operating under the Na-tional Environ- mental Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. Moni-toring is not carried out systematically in these stations, therefore it is difficult to get complete information about water quality (RECC 2019). The following physical and chemical parameters are measured on the mentioned stations: pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrite, nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, phosphates, sul- phates, electrical conductivity, TDS concentration, iron, zinc, copper, lead, man-ganese, in some places arsenic. Monitoring of specific organic substances, such as PAH, PCBs, pesticides, etc., is not carried out within the framework of the National Program of Water Quality Monitoring. In the Khrami-Debed Basin industrial wastewater discharge significantly affects the water quality, especially from copper and gold deposits in Bolnisi. Near copper deposits, studies of the Kazretula River have shown that concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium and sulphate ions several times exceeded the allowed concentrations (RECC 2019). 7.2.3 Hydro-biological monitoring in the Khrami-Debed basin

In 2011-2016, within the framework of the project “Environmental Protection of International River Ba- sins (EPIRB)” implemented with the support of the European Union, chemical and biological samples were taken in the Khrami-Debed Basin to evaluate the ecological status of surface waters. Ecological status of the rivers in the basin was classified on the basis of the following data: (1) macroinvertebrates,

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as status of biological elements (2) physical-chemical elements, and (3) hydro-morphological changes (RECC Report 2019). Rivers of the Khrami-Debed Basin were divided into three groups of water objects: Alpine meadow rivers: no samples have been taken in the Khrami basin; instead the data from the Debed biver was used for the analysis; Small mountain rivers: samples were taken from the Khrami River, near the Khrami HPP and in the Mashavera River, near Dmanisi; Medium mountain rivers: samples were taken from Kldeisi River, near the village Bediani. Sampling have been done during the 2012-2016 seasonally: in spring (April-May), summer (2012-2013, August) and autumn (October-November) (RECC Report 2019). More detailed descriptions of the chemical and biological monitoring is given in the Alazani-Iori and Khrami-Debed basin characterisation documents of the project “EU Water Initiative and Eastern Coop- eration (EUWI + 4EaP)” (RECC).

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8 OPEN ISSUES AND DATA GAPS

Although both the Alazani-Iori and the Khrami-Debed river basins are subject to strong anthropogenic impacts, only insufficient information on hydro-morphological changes is available. Therefore modern satellite technologies were used for this report. It enabled to carry out photo-interpretations of modified hydrological objects. However, it should be noted that accurate interpretation of the images acquired by remote sensing technology strongly depends on the expert skills and the quality of an image. Therefore we strongly recommend conducting field visits and ground validations of the results of the present work. This is especially necessary and would significantly increase the accuracy of the identification and designation of SWB which were classified as provisional HMWB. Although most large rivers in Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions are transboundary (Alazani, Iori, Ktsia- Khrami, Debed), water discharge is measured only on the Alazani. It is therefore necessary to open at least five additional hydrological stations in the regions. Like for the water quality monitoring, the data are incomplete which makes it very difficult to get a full picture of the current situation. During the vegetation season when irrigation systems operate, water filtration causes bogging of the adjacent territories and consequently, their invalidity for agricultural activities. This problem is relevant for the Alazani irrigation system as well. In order to prevent this problem, it is necessary to establish a collection-drainage network in the Alazani irrigation system. Another important issue in the downstream (lowland) of the Alazani Basin is a complicated geo-ecological characteristic of the environment as a result of non-regulated drainage from artesian wells and mal- functioning of the irrigation system. In order to solve these problems, it is neces-sary to control and abolish the abandoned irrigation channels and groundwater boreholes. Chemicals used in pesticides, insecticides and other agricultural activities are often seen in nat-ural environment where they affect wild plants and animals, which, for their part, affect human health and ecosystem sustainability. On the other hand, there seems that relevant skills and resources for ecotox- icology study and hydro-biological monitoring in the designated institutions are limited. One possible close the gaps can be by facilitating appropriate educational programs at universities and educational institutions involving students in these activities.

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Sall M., Peterson K.and Kuldna P. The Role of River Basin Management Plans in in addressing diffuse pollution from agriculture to limit the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea National Report of Estonia, Baltic Compass project, SEI Talli StackExchange, 2011. Geographic information systems: Given a terrain, how to determine stream flow path? Retrieved on Dec 1st 2015 from https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/14622/given-a-terrain- how-to-draw-the-stream-flow-path. Wagener, T., Sivapalan, M., Troch, P., Woods, R., 2007. Catchment classification and hydrologic simi- larity. Geography Compass, 1(4): 901-931.

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ANNEX 1 Datasets, metadata and maps Annex1.1 Alazani_Iori_data Annex1.2 Khrami_Debed _data Annex1.3 QGIS_MAPS Annex1.4 Metadata

ANNEX 2 Surface water bodies Annex 2.1 List of the surface water bodies in the Alazani-Iori basin Annex 2.2 List of the surface water bodies in the Krami-Debed basin Annex 2.3 Description of the major catchment basins,sub-basins and rivers Annex 2.4 List of significant water-relevant human pressures in the Alazani-Iori Basin Annex 2.5 List of significant water-relevant human pressures in the Khrami-Debed Basin Annex 2.6 SWB Characterization

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