Soil Erosion From The River Sides Estimations of Damages and the Improving Measures

Justina Boriçi Centre of Technologies transfer Vangjo Kovaçi Directory of Geoscience Klarent Dedaj Centre of Technologies transfer Zaim Mema Centre of Technologies transfer Tirana,

Abstract

The protection of the soil from erosion is for our country a big problem with high extension and with complex character. The forms of erosion are different and in dependence of factors which are caused. But, the phenomena is present in all the rivers and streams of our country where the losses of the soil are estimated some tens of hectars every year. This phenomena in all the cases is accompanied not only with the loss of the soil but with the failures of the infrastructure in the bottom of the rivers and the embankments around. The problem of soil protection from the erosion in general and especially the protection for eroding the bottom of the rivers especially are the most important that are required today for the protection of the soil. The damages in the rivers bottom are with very heavy consequences in the national economy. These damages are not seen immediately but very often cause serious complications with heavy consequences in the land and in the social life of the communities that are situated in the vicinities of the rivers. The factors that influence are: The slant of the rivers; the immediate turns; the non stable sides of the rivers; the concentration of the rains in different periods of the year; the high coeficient of water flow in surface; the absence of the plants cover. In this study, through monitoring we give an information of the concrete situation of the river's bottom in the soils around them, the factors of this situation, the problems that seek a solution and the measures to be taken. The study has been fulfilled in four river ponds: 1. , Buna, , . 2. , Tirana River, Tërkuza river, Zeza river and Droja river. 3. Seman, , and rivers. 4. Vjosa, Shushica and river. From the study results that: endangered soils from the slips and demolitions are 109.000 ha. Destructed and slipping soils are 4000 ha. The erosion of the soil in the river's bottom and sides are present in all the segments of our country. the monitoring shows that for soil losses within a years are some tens of hectars.

Keywords: hydrology

SOIL EROSION FROM THE RIVER SIDES

1. Generalizations

Protection of land from erodibility is, for our country, a major problem, with a broad range of complex character. Forms of erosion are different depending on the factors that cause. But the phenomenon is present in all rivers and streams of our country, where losses are tens of hectares of land annually. This phenomenon, in all cases, is associated not only with the loss of land, but also to build infrastructure damage in the river bed and embankment around.

BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010 1

The problem of protecting the land from erosion in general and the protection of river banks erodibility in particular, are the most important, that laid today for land protection. Damages on the banks of the river are very large consequences in the national economy. These injuries sometimes do not fall immediately in their eyes, but often cause serious complications with serious consequences not only on earth, but also in socio-economic life of communities located near rivers. Precisely for the reasons above, this problem has attracted the attention of government, which clearly expressed in its program on the problems of irrigation, drainage, flood protection and erosion.

2. Factors affecting land erodibility:

1. slopes of the rivers. 2. revulsion 3. relatively unstable banks 4. The concentration of rainfall in different time periods 5. high coefficient of surface water flow 6. Lack of plant cover

The acceleration of land erosion in the rivers bed has creates damage from objective and subjective factors as:

- Damage to the seawall and other protective facilities - Destruction and exit function of mountain dams - Cutting and damage vegetation within and near the beds of rivers - Inappropriate use of inert materials - Change destinations of land of the rivers bed and their vicinity.

In this study, through monitoring, information to give a concrete situation in the bed of the rivers and surrounding lands, the factors that have created this situation, solving problems and measures to improve the situation.

The study was conducted in 4 river basins:

1. Drin, Bunë, Mat, Shkumbin 2. Erzen, l. Tirana, l. Tërkuzës, l. Zezës and River Droja 3. Seman, Osumi and Devoll 4. Vjosa, Shushice, Drino

Paraqitja grafike e humbjeve te tokes sipas pikave monitoruese Sasia e sedimenteve te mbartura ne turbulliren e lumenjeve 16 8000000 14 12 7000000 10 6000000 8 Series1 5000000 6 Ton 4000000 Series1 4 3000000 2 2000000 Humbjet e tokes Ton/ha 0 1000000 Greshice Radhime Kallmet Qaf -Shul Sauk Vithkuq 0 Mati Shkumbini Semani Vjosa Drini Pikat studimore

Erodibility due to monitoring points The quantity of sediments in the river bed

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3. The evaluation of land erodibility on the banks of rivers and flooded surfaces.

On the banks of the Drini River, land erodibility can be estimated at levels as low as average, as a result of geo-engineering construction, the final extent of riverbed waters flow management and use of inert materials. The erodibility in the banks of the Drini River in some cases, can be considered the "secret" and without disregard in depth of the river bed and obvious and serious consequences on the sides of the river bed. During the monitoring of erosion and erodibility of the Drini riverbanks, near the village Stajka, to the place called Zalli i Ganjollit, respectively in the left wing of course water is the intermediate level, with obvious insights that go to 10 m inland. On both sides of the Drini River, the river segment from the Ganjollit to Zalli near the village, erosion is the result of movement without control of the water flow and use of inert materials out any criteria to determine use projects. Erodibility is relatively high and the soil profile is over 15 m. Eroded areas also noticed in the vicinity of villages Kuç, Karmë and Guri i Zi. Most affected by adverse erodibility of Buna River (after joining the Drin River), is the segment along the Parrucaj field. It should be noted that in this segment of river the influence of using of inert materials is disregard. Regarding the risk of flooding emphasize the Drini river, from the Vau i Dejes hydropower station until joining the river Gjadri and river Kiri has a bed of shallow and very wide, therefore in this segment have no surface river flooded. Major water flows have made possible damage to the protective works and consequently have caused flooding. One such phenomenon is observed near the mountain village Rrex, in September 2002, where as a result of damage to flood protection works has been causing considerably massive damage. The risk of flooding is present and often repeatedly in the agricultural lands near the village of Kuc, and Karma neighborhood. In northern part of Kiri Bridge is damaged levee protection for the city of Shkodra to about 250 to 300 ml, and seriously endangered by flooding the city of Shkodra. Increase the level of water in the bed of the river Drin, affects the growth of the quantity of water in the bed of Lezha Drin, which in time precipitation overflow and swamp areas and Kakariqi and Barbullushi.

Buna River, as is known, has changed several times its bed leading to the eroded banks time after time. One such phenomenon is found in the village Shirq The risk of flooding is also sensitive in Gjadëri River, which in recent years has flooded the village lands and housing in Hajmel. It is important to stress that caused floods in recent years in this area, not connected and so the activity of the use of inert materials, but in non-intervention to keep in work of protective works, as in the side streams that feed the river and in the river itself and other factors. The waters of Mati River Basin. Sustainability of the coast side of the river Mati is different as a result of physical-mechanical characteristics. Eroded side are characteristic for the whole length of the Mati River and especially along the river segment from joining the Fani River to leak into the sea. Human interventions in these riverbeds, especially in recent years, have had serious negative impact

The opening of roads to the river valley, along the intensive use of river basin, deforestation in the sections between the embankment, have adversely affected the sustainability of the earth, demonstrating a very strong erosion, especially in areas where water currents change direction. Erodibility phenomena of land near the union notice of the Mati and Fani River, in the left wing water flow of Fani River. Construction of dams throughout the transom rail line from Zogu Bridge to the river joining of Mati and Fani, as well as full vegetation have made it possible in this river segment not have damage from erosion. The area from Zogu Bridge to below the railway bridge, parallel with the road built by NATO, thanks to the work that is done to establish successive embankments, shore of the river is completely without prejudice, while activation of the plant cover is excellent. Continuous wear of the river bed with gravel is a premise for the emergence of water from the bed and therefore favors "eating" the soil in its banks. The acceleration of this phenomenon has a significant impact of non-use of inert materials projects and trends perpendicular to the river used to flow water

The Shkumbini River basin. The erodibility of land on the Shkumbini river estimated at average and high levels. This as a result of geological-engineering construction, the final alignment of the

BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010 3 river bed (with more curvature), water flow management, and use of inert materials. The use of inert materials, in most cases is done outside surfaces use projects. In these conditions, the phenomenon of erodibility of the land on the banks of the river bed is visible and the increasing tendency in width and in depth. Eroded deviations start to appear in the bed of the river southeast of Elbasan, near the village Shushice. As a result of these deviations are broken levee protections and consequently evidenced the erodibility of the agricultural lands. Problem of damage in the area of land has to Bradasheshi Paper, in a length of about 4 km. Influential in these injuries have in the embouchure of streams in Kusha and Zaranika, which with characteristic solid flows, causing deviations riverbed and surrounding land simultaneously. Deviations observed and in Cengelaj area, near the Peqin, and in the vicinity of Rrogozhina. In the segment from Pajova in Bishqem, respectively on both sides of the river flow, in a length of about 3 km, the erodibility of the land considering average levels The same situation is found in water source about 4 km below Bishqemit and in Sheza. - More aggravated situation regarding to the land erodibility on the banks of the river, appears in the segment from Peqini to the Rrogozhina Bridge. Here as characteristic are the frequent injuries, mostly on the left side of the course, which coincides with Thanasaj village agricultural lands, and on the right side of the course, near the old bridge of Rrogozhina In this area too badly damaged, except direct observations, in a segment of 500 ml are made the assessments of the erodibility of the land through topographical profiles, transverse and longitudinal. From these assessments, result that the losses of agricultural land as a result of erodibility on the banks of the river are about 23000 ton / year - These eroded processes stimulated by the free use recommended practices, track building among riverbed. In this way is possible stationing of excavation tools, which use intensively towards the shore of the river by not maintaining it - After the Rrogozhina Bridge to the sea, Shkumbini River creates problems visible in some of its segments. In this section, use is made only for small fractions of the inert materials, with in-depth continuing to use the bed. Here applies the same way using (the track between the channel) which has led to banks the phenomenon of erodibility that is very pronounced. Mention here the segment on the left side of the course, in front of the the channel embouchure of Zhabjaku and in the same time and in the villages of Bashtova and Rreth – Greth. In this area too badly damaged, except direct observations, in a segment of 500 ml are made the assessments of the erodibility of the land through topographical profiles, transverse and longitudinal. From these assessments, result that the losses of agricultural land as a result of erodibility on the banks of the river are about 26000 ton / year - In Shkumbini river basin, large flows of water and solid waste have made possible damage to the protective works and consequently have caused flooding in specific areas. In limited space, these are repeated in the embouchure of the its main streams along with large water flow to carry large quantities separately and gravel, causing flooding of areas of agricultural and non agricultural land. Objects on the floods are typical for water course partly in Krasta and being added more in segment from Bradasheshi to Paper. In this segment, in recent years, higher frequency of flooding is displayed near the village Muriqan.

- In recent years, in the course of the river bottom of Shkumbini has had massive floods several times, which are associated with major injuries. Expansion greater these floods have had on the net, mainly near the Delta. In this basin, the use of inert materials, has significant impact on the erodibility of the coast side than in the flooding of land. This as a result of the deepening of its channel.

The Seman river basin. Assessment of land erodibility is the result also and the river dressing. Thus, the Osumi River, on the Ura vajgurore, the erodibility of the land is massive, especially in the vicinity of the Veterik village and down in Ura Vajgurore in Arzës area in place of reunion of Osumi and Devolli River. In the Devolli river bed, the deviations of its overlap take places in the areas of Gostimë, Gjyral, Grekan, Vlashuk. Kozara and Ciflik. For the whole length of Semani river found that damage to land are more evident near the Ndërnenas village, as the river in this

BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010 4 segment has a strong curvature almost 90o. Largest erodibility are on the right side of the course, also in the remote areas of the river, near the Seman village in a length of about 5 - 6 km, land erodibility are evident as a result of three deviations. - Land erodibility is evident and in the agricultural land of Grecalli village, on the right side of the course, near Mbrostar village, on the left side of the course, and in villages near Gryke – Kanim village, Shenisht., Marinz, Jogodinë, Suke and Arapaj. River segment from Arapaj Village to the reunion of the rivers Osumi and Devolli is covered by erodibility of the agricultural land. In the river coast are evident eroded land near the Ciflik village on both sides, as well as near the Toshkësi, Kuqi, Murrizi, Ferrasi and Kozara villages.

- The phenomena of land erodibility on the banks of these rivers are a result of damage to river protection works, deviations of river beds and the activity influences of the using of river inert materials. The flooded areas from rivers of Seman basin, are moiré evident in the agriculture lands near to the Semani an Osumi Rivers. Here we can mention the floods in the embouchure of Lapardhica stream, the area above and below of Ura Vajgurore, near the bridge of Kuci, the segment Toshkëz - Imisht, as well as in the remote areas of the river Seman, near the village Ndërnenas. Influence in this phenomenon as well as for erodibility has damage to the protective works and numerous deviations water flow, though not impact the use of inert materials in these river segments or outside. By interfering in the bed of the Semani river although few in number, near the bridge of Kuci, Imshit and Belini, except for occasional floods, are also damaged agricultural land and the river embankment

Vjosa river basin. The river basin consists of Vjosa, and Shusica rivers. The erodibility of land on the banks of the river Drino is evident in 3 major segments. Severe deviations opposite the villages Lazarat Palokastër and Virua created favorable conditions for the erodibility of the land. Erodibility in these lands is the result of damage to river protection works. Although at first glance this appears wearing area vegetation, water flow is not operated and negative effects have been significant. In this area, use of inert materials activity has negative impacts for the fact that there is no requirement respecting the use projects, which had also purpose the orientation of water flow

- In Vjosa River, until joining the Shushica River, there are some riverbed deviations which tend to erode the land in its banks. We emphasize that in this segment of the impact of the use of inert materials is inconsiderable. Land erodibility problems begin to appear in the embouchure of the Shushica River, in Vjosa River, near the villages Varibor, Frakull, Trevëllazër and Mifol. In this part, the use of inert materials activity is intensive and evidenced greater problems in land erodibility. These eroded

BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010 5 processes are result of the incorrect of policies and against the use of inert materials projects, especially by way of exploitation -The assessments and monitoring realizing in the vicinity Mifoli bridge, about 5 km in its upper, resulting in a 1-year period (August 2003 - August 2004), shift the flow of water in a length of about 100 ml, are shifted about 30 ml inside the agricultural lands River segment, below the Mifoli bridge until the sea, makes some deviations as in Bishan, Qorn villages etc, and land erodibility is scarce, because of the use of inert materials activity is limited and without repercussions

In Shushica River, land erodibility is recorded mainly in the land of his net. Here we can mention land eroded located in Peshkepi village, near the Armenian and Llakatundi villages and the following are arguments for segment in the Mifoli Bridge in Vjosa River. - In the vicinity of the bridge, the river takes a twist and his bed is a shift in the northern direction of about 120 ml in the time frame from 1958 to 2003. The same thing has happened near the bridge, referring to the same period of time, the river has shifted to the north approaching the bridge and road by a generation and the erodibility of the agricultural land of about 30 to 35 ml - In this area, it is necessary to take measures for the use of the left side of the river near the bridge and its rehabilitation, and in the same time and for the shift of the water flow and its bed

- The assessments made for the floods show that in Drino River there are frequent and large

surface are a, especially in part, to coincide near the Derviçan village until the Virua village

- In the Shushica River the flooded repeated in the net of the river, most pronounced of there are in flat lands of Llakatundi village, near Armeni and Selenica villages. - In Vjosa river floods are frequent and occur in part of his net, generally starting to the Mifoli Bridge. In all cases floods are the result of damage to river protection works (embankment, embankment dam length of brace), as a result of not good treatment, lack investment in them, and Inappropriate use of inert materials along the beds of these rivers.

The basin of rivers r Erzen, Tirana, Tërkuzës. Zeza and Droja Land erodibility on the banks of the Erzeni River begin to appear in the area just down field, near the village Bërzhitë, mainly in the left side of the river flow. This phenomenon starts to appear in the segment below Baldushk bridge, along the area Peze - Helmes, near the village of Ndroq and Romanat and reaches its peak in the mouth of the discharge in the Bishti i Pallës at north part of the Gulf of Lalëzit to Rrushkull. Eroded forms and ways of land from the river are different and they often serve as the source of flooding in his net. Land erodibility on the banks of this river, has played a major impact in use of inert materials, vegetation damage in his bed, as well as damage and breakdown of many defensive works built in the Erzeni River bed. In Erzeni river bed although partly allowed the use of inert materials (from Bërzhita village 500 ml away of Bridge of Peshkatari), taking place for the length inert materials and aggregates the roof of the use of river reaches near the village of Romanat, where not saved as land, used for cultivation of agricultural plants. From the assessments made in Erzeni River bed and its banks, we reach these conclusions: - In the area permitted for use, the subjects did not observe projects therefore do not follow the flow of water, so to avoid damage to the land on the banks of the River. - In this area, among the

BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010 6 most damaged segments, is near Bërzhita village, in the left wing to flow. Here, in a length of about 100 ml, the river every year precipitance some meters of the land and in the same time not saving and other community facilities - The rest of the river, which is not allowed the use of inert materials (500 m above Bridge of Peshkatari until the spill), but in fact the use of inert materials activity is present, the damage of agricultural land are too obvious - In the area included between Baldushk Bridge, to Bridge near Beshiri village, injuries are partial land on both sides of the course. Not only in this segment, but below, the damage of agricultural land are the direct result of interventions in the river bed, for the use of inert materials - Among the areas affected by river erosion is the area from below the Bridge of Butaci to Romanat village. Despite the interventions in this area for the use of inert materials are limited, damage to river banks, especially in his left arm, are too obvious. - River rope, unlike other rivers of the basin, has eroded the land in the depths of his bed, without having an impact on its banks. While the river of Droja, for his nature of "furious" at the moment is full of vibrant example of damage to land with inert material, while eroded effects are near the Shpërdheti embankment and in down road, near Mamurras . - In basin of Ishmi and Erzeni River, the phenomenon of flooding lands, does not exist. Significant negative effects on these flows noticed in Droja River, but in this case, not by flooding, but as the product of solid deposits, income from water currents in the case of full maximum. Negative impacts of this character seen in the vicinity of railway bridges and road

Conclusions

• Land erodibility on the shores of all rivers of our country as a format considered most dangerous and irreversible consequences for agricultural land and infrastructure to build on. This phenomenon is present in all segments of our country rivers. Monitoring carried out in some river segments with length 300 to 500ml, show that soil losses are from 23 000 to 26 000 m3/vit. From estimates of approximations, made in our country's river banks, it appears that losses of land, within a year, are several dozen hectares in the year. • The acceleration of erosion in river banks, greater impact played deviations of river beds, as a result of the impact of water flow volume, Inappropriate use of inert materials, and not damage the functioning of criminal defense, built in years, the lack of new investment and damage the sides of vegetation in river beds. • Works protection (seawall, transom panels, received), have suffered a major setback and the phenomenon is present in all the river beds of our country. Damages are observed due to the exploitation activity, processing of inert materials and river traffic in these riverbeds • State of protective works was unsatisfactory due to their non – administration structures responsible, lack of permanent investment and indifferent attitude of the community in their vicinity • Damage and works out the function of obtaining water for irrigation, are the result of deepening the beds of rivers inappropriate use of inert materials, poor management and lack of care for their preservation and effectiveness of their negligible this period. • Flooding occurred in recent years, mainly on both sides of the lower river flows are a result of increased coefficient of the surface water, damage and release function of mountain dams and not building their investment in the steep lands , to slow down and maintain water flows. • Protective levee damage, change of functions and land use in the riverbeds and massive damage to cover plant. • The emerging phenomena and problems treated above are the result of intensive use of inert materials in riverbeds, not respect designated areas in the respective projects, not the implementation of rehabilitation projects and environmental exploitation and non-specified conditions in the permit environmental. • Laws current development activity for the use of inert materials in riverbeds, Council of Minister decisions, National Council of Waters decisions when together with the relevant guidelines that

BALWOIS 2010 - Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia - 25, 29 May 2010 7 regulate the activity of the use of inert materials in our country's river basins, and do not meet as need each other.

Recommendations:

♣ The planned investment and intervention in the rehabilitation of damages to acts as a protective embankment, dam, paintbrush, etc.

♣ To remove all inert materials processing plants and to clean inert materials collected.

♣ Where will allow use of inert materials, taking them to the depth set to 0.5 m above the minimum level to mirror the groundwater

♣ Time of using inert materials to reduce the river for a period of 4 to 5 months per year and to coincide with the period of river water package (June-October), as use of inert material in other seasons damaging the river banks

♣ To monitor implementation of the projects the use of inert materials, as well as the effects of this exploitation in the river bed. This monitoring will be permanent (at least once a year) and be carried by a permanent group with the participation of institutions related to management and land use, drainage and irrigation works, protection works (STI), engineering works and road bridge ( DPR), environmental protection (MM), water and sanitation infrastructure (DUK) as well as hydrodynamics problems (QKH), including local government structures

References • Kovaci V. Soil erosion, 2004 • Boriçi J. The monitoring of the change of the underground waters – International Conference – Skopje MACEDONIA, 19 March 2002 • Trova., C (2000): L’inquinamento delle acque • Wild., A (1994): Soils and Environments. Pg 25-27, 89-106. • Borici J. The model of map for geological danger of Albania and the methodic procedures of her elaboration Reference September 2001

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