Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District, Azerbaijan

European Union Water Initiative Plus for the Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+)

Result 2

SURFACE WATER MONITORING IN THE “KURA UPSTREAM OF MINGACHEVIR DAM” RIVER BASIN DISTRICT, AZERBAIJAN

April 2021

Beneficiaries

Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan (AZ) Responsible EU member state consortium project leader

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

Rafig Verdiyev, Representative of the EUWI+ EU Member State Consortium in Azerbaijan (AZ) Responsible international thematic lead expert

Kristina Schaufler, Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Authors

Georg Wolfram, DWS Hydro-Ökologie – Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Kristina Schaufler, Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Daniel Trauner, Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Gabriele Vincze, Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Daniela Csar, blattfisch e.U. – Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Christian Pichler-Scheder, blattfisch e.U. – Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Elisabeth Sigmund, DWS Hydro-Ökologie – Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT) Peggy Macaigne, Umweltbundesamt GmbH (AT)

Disclaimer: The EU-funded program European Union Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+) is im- plemented by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD), both responsible for the implementation of Result 1, and an EU Member States Consortium comprising the Environment Agency Austria (UBA, Austria), the lead coordinator, and the In- ternational Office for Water (IOW, France), both responsible for the implementation of Results 2 and 3. The program is co-funded by Austria and France through the Austrian Development Agency and the French Artois-Picar- die Water Agency.

This document was produced 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 of 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: Ms Chloé Déchelette [email protected]

April 2021

Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

CONTENTS

1 Executive summary ...... 6 2 Introduction ...... 7 2.1 WFD Monitoring requirements ...... 7 3 Current surface water monitoring ...... 9 3.1 Chemical Monitoring ...... 9 3.2 Biological Monitoring ...... 10 3.3 Hydro-morphological Monitoring ...... 11 4 Monitoring results ...... 13 4.1 Chemical Status ...... 13 4.2 Ecological Status ...... 13 4.3 Hydro-morphological Status ...... 16 5 Recommended surface water monitoring ...... 18 5.1 Measures to improve the surface water monitoring ...... 18 5.2 Chemical Monitoring ...... 18 5.3 Biological Monitoring ...... 21 5.4 Hydro-morphological Monitoring ...... 23 5.5 Investigative Monitoring ...... 24 6 References ...... 25 7 Annex ...... 26

3 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

List of Tables Table 1: Overview of current chemical monitoring in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD during the EPIRB and the EUWI+ projects (Complete list of sites see Annex 1 Table 12)...... 9 Table 2: Overview of existing biological monitoring in rivers of in the Upper Kura RBD...... 11 Table 3: Categories of ecological classification...... 13 Table 4: Ecological Status of SWB based on the new ESCS for macroinvertebrates...... 15 Table 5: Hydro-morphological sampling sites including hydro-morphological status...... 16 Table 6: Overview of recommended monitoring sites in rivers and lakes of the Kura upstream Mingachevir reservoir RBD (Complete list of sites see Annex: Table 14, Table 15, Table 16, Table 17) ...... 19 Table 7: Recommended frequency of chemical monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD...... 19 Table 8: Recommended frequency of chemical monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in lakes of the Upper Kura RBD...... 21 Table 9: Recommended frequency of biological monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD...... 22 Table 10: Recommended frequency of biological monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in lakes of the Upper Kura RBD...... 22 Table 11: Overview of proposed hydrological monitoring in standing waters of the Upper Kura RBD. 23 Table 12: Current water quality monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD, investigated during the EPIRB and the EUWI+ projects...... 26 Table 13: Current hydrological monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD...... 26 Table 14: Recommended surveillance monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD...... 27 Table 15: Recommended surveillance monitoring sites in lakes (reservoirs) of the Upper Kura RBD. 27 Table 16: Recommended operational monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD...... 27 Table 17: Recommended operational monitoring sites in reservoirs of the Upper Kura RBD...... 28 Table 18: Overview of parameters in the chemical monitoring in the Upper Kura RBD (analysed during EPIRB and EUWI+)...... 28 Table 19: Actual capacities of the Laboratories (in Baku) for measuring the priority substances that are listed by the EU WFD and associated directives for surface water monitoring ...... 29

List of Figures Figure 1: Surface water quality monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD, investigated during the field survey in autumn 2018 and 2019 during the EUWI+ project, and hydrological monitoring sites...... 10 Figure 2: Ecological classification of SWB in the Upper Kura RBD...... 14 Figure 3: Left: Relative proportion of ecological status classes of river SWB in the Upper Kura RBD(H = high status, G-H = good to high status, G = good status, M = medium status, M-B = medium to bad status, P = poor status, B = bad status, na = not available). Right: Relative proportion of different classes of classification confidence...... 15 Figure 4: Recommended monitoring sites for surveillance and operational monitoring in rivers and lakes (reservoirs) of the Kura upstream Mingachevir reservoir RBD...... 20

4 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Abbreviations AWB ...... Artificial Water Body

BOD5 ...... Biochemical Oxygen 5-days Demand BQE ...... Biological Quality Elements COD ...... Chemical Oxygen Demand CIS ...... Common Implementation Strategy EaP ...... Eastern Partnership ENPI ...... European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument EC ...... European Commission EPIRB ...... Environmental Protection of International River Basins EQS ...... Environmental Quality Standard ESCS ...... Ecological Status Classification System EU ...... European Union EUWI+ ...... European Union Water Initiative Plus HMWB ...... Heavily Modified Water Bodies HYMO ...... Hydro-morphology/hydro-morphological IOWater/OIEau .... International Office for Water, France PAH ...... Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon PCB ...... Polychlorinated Biphenyl RBD ...... River Basin District RBMP ...... River Basin Management Plan SW ...... Surface Water SWB ...... Surface Water Body UBA ...... Umweltbundesamt GmbH, Environment Agency Austria WFD ...... Water Framework Directive

Country Specific Abbreviations Azerbaijan NHD ...... National Hydrometeorology Department MENR ...... Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan

5 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This EUWI+ technical report about surface water monitoring in the Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam River Basin District (RBD) of Azerbaijan gives an overview of the status quo of the monitoring situation in the country and specifically the catchment. It also contains recent monitoring results and recommendations how to improve the monitoring programme to further converge to the standards of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). According to the WFD, the status of surface water bodies is determined by the poorer of its ecological status and its chemical status. To assess chemical and ecological status of water bodies, monitoring programmes are required. This report is structured into 1) chemical monitoring: including priority substances, physico-chemical parameters, river basin specific pollutants; 2) biological monitoring: including Biological Quality Elements (BQE); and 3) hydro-morphological monitoring (WFD supporting element). During EUWI+, a milestone to improve biological monitoring was made by developing a preliminary Ecological Status Classification System (ESCS) based on benthic invertebrates. Additional BQEs need to be added over the next years. This document presents the assessed ecological status of the Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam RBD based on benthic invertebrates is presented, as well as the results from a EUWI+ hydro-morphological survey. Together with the new River Basin Management Plan and the EUWI+ Monitoring Development Plan, this document states a recommended monitoring frequency of BQE and parameters for surveillance and operational monitoring programmes.

6 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

2 INTRODUCTION

The Report on Surface Water Monitoring was developed as a background document for the new River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for the Kura upstream of the Mingachevir Dam Richer Basin District (RBD) that were developed within EUWI+. The RBMP was written by national experts considering the information collected and presented in this document, which provided the groundwork for the RBMP monitoring chapter. This report is intended as a record of the exact recommendations made by EUWI+ experts, as the content may slightly differ from the finalised RBMP. For additional guidance and a step by step outline for improvement of the national biological monitoring situation, see also the Surface Water Monitoring Development Plan (EUWI+, 2020d). This report describes the current Surface Water (SW) monitoring situation of Azerbaijan in the “Kura upstream of the Mingachevir Dam” RBD of Azerbaijan (thereafter in short “Upper Kura RBD”), gives an overview on existing monitoring results, and makes recommendations to improve SW monitoring. Mon- itoring results from surveillance and/or operational monitoring shall be used to define the status of water bodies while results are compared to respective environmental objectives. Concerning surface water bodies, monitoring should include measurements of chemical, biological, physico-chemical and hydro- morphological parameters. Continuing the tradition of water quality monitoring in Azerbaijan, the description of general physico-chemical parameters is included in the sub-sections on chemical monitoring, these are supporting elements for the ecological classification according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD; Directive 2000/60/EC). Surface water (SW) monitoring in Azerbaijan is regulated in a Ministerial Decree (2004), addressing monitoring programmes and its basic components like parameters, sites, and sampling frequencies. Responsible for the design, implementation and performance of surface water monitoring is the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR). The current environmental policy in Azerbaijan is based on the National Programme for the Environment 2003–2010. Several different State Programmes are of relevance regarding Water Resources Manage- ment containing also elements relevant for surface water monitoring:

 Hydrometeorology Development Programme 2004 – 2010 including actions for monitoring improvement;  National Environmental Action Plan;  Renewable and Alternative Sources of Energy for the period 2008 – 2015; including detailed Action Plan for 2010 – 2030 on the development of alternative energy sources in Azerbaijan;  National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Use (2006- 2009). Continuing the tradition of the water quality monitoring in Azerbaijan, the description of the general physico-chemical parameters is included in the sub-sections on chemical monitoring in spite of the fact that, according to WFD requirements, they are supporting elements in the classification of the ecological status of surface water bodies (SWB).

2.1 WFD Monitoring requirements

Article 8 of the WFD establishes monitoring programmes for monitoring the surface water status. The monitoring network shall be designed as to provide a coherent and comprehensive overview of ecological and chemical status within each river basin and shall permit the classification of surface waterbodies according to Annex V WFD.

7 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Good ecological and chemical status have to be achieved and ensured for all surface water bodies. For those WB identified as heavily modified (HMWB) or artificial (AWB), good ecological potential and good chemical status have to be achieved and ensured. WFD compliant monitoring results provide the base- line to initiate measures and also serve the validation of the pressure analysis. Ecological status of SWB is based on biological quality elements (phytoplankton, macrophytes, phytobenthos, macroinvertebrates and fish) and supporting physico-chemical (nutrients, oxygen condition, temperature, transparency, salinity), as well as river basin specific pollutants (RBSPs), and hydro-morphological quality elements (Annex V WFD). A good chemical status of SWB requires all concentrations of priority substances to stay below the thresholds of the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) listed in the Priority Substances Directive 2013/39/EU.Two groups of chemical compounds are relevant for the chemical monitoring according to the WFD, the Priority Substances (PS) and River Basin Specific Pollutants (RBSP). River Basin Specific Pollutants are selected based on the pressure and impact analysis. They are defined as chemicals that are discharged in significant quantities into surface water bodies. The Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for Priority Substances are established by the European Commission (EC), whereas the EQS for specific pollutants are established by each country itself. The chemical status of water bodies is assessed by comparing the concentrations of PS with the EQS set by the EC. RBSP are supporting the biological elements and used for the ecological status classification. Surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring programmes shall be established. They are to be supplemented by monitoring programmes required for Protected Areas registered under Article 6 WFD. Surveillance monitoring shall provide information for - supplementing and validating the impact assessment; - the design of future monitoring programmes; - the assessment of long-term changes in natural conditions and long-term changes resulting from widespread anthropogenic activity.

Operational monitoring shall be undertaken in order to - establish the status of those waterbodies identified as being at risk of failing to meet their environmental objectives; - assess any changes in the status of such bodies resulting from the programmes of measures.

Investigative monitoring shall be carried out - where the reason for any exceedances is unknown; - where surveillance monitoring indicates that the objectives are not likely to be achieved and operational monitoring has not already been established; - to ascertain the magnitude and impacts of accidental pollution.

For more details on surveillance, operational, investigative monitoring, and how to select sites see the Azerbaijani Monitoring Development Plan (EUWI+, 2020d). For details on investigative monitoring refer to the Background and Concept Paper for Investigative Monitoring (EUWI+, 2020f).

8 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

3 CURRENT SURFACE WATER MONITORING

The previous and current SW monitoring in the Upper Kura RBD has always had a clear focus on hy- drology and water quality, while other pressures such as hydro-morphological alterations were considered only to a minor extent. In recent years, the focus has been on the implementation of WFD-compliant monitoring programmes, such as biological monitoring. However, the establishment of Biological Quality Elements (BQEs), as well as of surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring programmes as foreseen in the WFD is still work in progress and not completed so far.

3.1 Chemical Monitoring

Rivers Up-to-date data on water quality in the rivers of the Upper Kura RBD is scarce and incomplete because of lack of effective water quality monitoring network. There are no monitoring sites which are part of a systematic and regular monitoring of water quality. However, several sites were investigated during the EPIRB and EUWI+ projects (Table 1, Figure 1). Parameters Until now, water quality analyses included mainly physico-chemical parameters and selected heavy metals (see Annex 1 Table 18). Monitoring of concrete organic substances, such as PAH, PCB, pesticides and others, has not been carried out. The priority substances according to the WFD that are currently sampled and measured in the laboratory are shown in Annex 1, Table 19.

Table 1: Overview of current chemical monitoring in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD during the EPIRB and the EUWI+ projects (Complete list of sites see Annex 1 Table 12).

Quality element / group of parameters frequency no. of sites frequency no. of sites EPIRB EUWI+ General physico-chemical parameters 1-3x / year ca. 15 1-2x 21 (2018) 31 (2019) Priority pollutants (selected heavy metals) – – – – Other pollutants (selected heavy metals) – – – –

9 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Figure 1: Surface water quality monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD, investigated during the field survey in autumn 2018 and 2019 during the EUWI+ project, and hydrological monitoring sites.

Lakes (incl. Reservoirs) There is one natural lake in the Upper Kura basin (Lake Zincirli, 0.6 km²; SWB Kur013-1-LB004). In addition, there are seven reservoirs in the basin (HMWB). Currently, no chemical monitoring is conducted in these standing waters of the Upper Kura RBD.

3.2 Biological Monitoring

Rivers Currently there is no regular biological monitoring. Surveys have been carried out during projects (EU Tacis project KURA-II 2008-2011, EU ENPI project KURA-III 2012, EPIRB project 2013–2016, EUWI+ project 2016-2021). Biological sampling sites in EPIRB and EUWI+ were the same as for physico-chemical parameters (see Table 1, Figure 1). Parameters The surveys of EPIRB were restricted to the BQE macroinvertebrates. Although first steps to identify reference conditions and define class boundaries for selected river types were made during the EPIRB

10 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

project, until recently there was no WFD compliant classification system for this BQE available. The metrics used for assessing benthic invertebrates were calculated with the Asterics software during the EPIRB project and included BMWP and saprobic index after Pantle & Buck. After another survey during the EUWI+ project in 2019 (EUWI+, 2020b), a major step towards WFD compliant biological monitoring was achieved by development of an Ecological Status Classification System ESCS for macroinvertebrates (EUWI+, 2020c). The method developed within the EUWI+ project resembles the EPIRB ap- proach but includes ASPT, EPT, EPT% and a diversity index. More information on this in Chapter 4.2.

Table 2: Overview of existing biological monitoring in rivers of in the Upper Kura RBD.

Quality element / parameter Frequency No. of sites Comments Benthic invertebrates – – Data from previous projects (KURA-II, KURA-III, EPIRB, EUWI+) available: 1–3 campaigns per year, about 15–30 sites per campaign Other biological quality elements – – –

Lakes (Reservoirs) Currently there is no regular biological monitoring in the only natural lake and the reservoirs of the Upper Kura RBD. There are also no data available from previous projects with WFD compliant surveys, specific research projects or fisheries.

3.3 Hydro-morphological Monitoring

Rivers Until now the hydro-morphological monitoring was restricted to quantitative hydrological aspects. Mor- phological parameters were monitored only during the EPIRB and EUWI+ projects. At present, there are 18 operational hydrological observation points of the National Hydrometeorology Department (NHD) in the basins of Ganja-Gazakh (EUWI+, 2020g). Among these, 14 are located on rivers in the region, which flow into the Kura River, another three on Kura River and one on Iori River (Figure 1). The NHD of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) has located the points in different altitude zones of the basins. Currently, there are 10 hydrological monitoring sites under operation. At Gabirri/Iori River in Azerbaijan there are 3 hydrological observation points, with only one of these being operational at the moment (Annex 1 Table 13). Parameters The hydrological data have been used for general description of quantity, but not for classification; thus, information on small impoundments, water abstraction etc. are not covered by the monitoring. This information is however partly available from separate surveys. Morphological aspects, such as riparian vegetation or bank structure, have not been regarded so far. During the time of the Soviet Union, water quantity was monitored in all hydro-meteorological monitoring sites, existing on the River Ganikh /Alazan. Following regular sampling data is available from that time: water discharge, level, temperature and the level of sedimentation, as well as the air temperature, pre- cipitation, sun radiation and other meteorological activities. The latest hydro-morphological survey within the EUWI+ project took place in October and November 2019 (EUWI+, 2020a). Based on satellite images, experts chose representative sections of rivers in the

11 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

RBD and assessed the sites in regards to their hydro-morphology in the field. During the survey the following parameters were used to characterize the sites: - Catchment area - Distance to source - Mean river slope at site - Morphology of cross section, banks, channel form, river valley - Transversal barriers - Land cover/use in riparian zone/floodplain - Geology, soil types, Topography - Mean annual discharge

Lakes Until now, no hydro-morphological monitoring of standing waters has been carried out in the Upper Kura RBD.

12 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

4 MONITORING RESULTS

4.1 Chemical Status

Rivers

The chemical conditions of water resources are being assessed based on calculation of average water pollution index for 7 selected indicators of physico-chemical elements and classification of water resources. Maximum allowed concentrations (MAC) are defined for selected parameters such as BOD, Phenol, cupper and ammonia. Until recently, water quality status assessment was based on the monitoring of physico-chemical parameters, with no ecological information in Azerbaijan.

Lakes There is one natural lake and seven reservoirs. None of these have been investigated so far and no assessment of chemical status is available.

4.2 Ecological Status

Rivers According to the WFD, the assessment of the ecological status is based on biological data and Ecolog- ical Status Classification Systems (ESCS). Supporting elements are physico-chemical, hydro-morphological parameters and specific pollutants. A WFD compliant ESCS for macroinvertebrates in rivers was introduced by EUWI+ (EUWI+ 2020c). In order to give an overview of the confidence of the ecological status of river SWB in Azerbaijan, the following four categories are distinguished (Table 3):

Table 3: Categories of ecological classification

Category Classification Confidence A Based on biological data using the proposal for a new WFD compliant High ESCS B Based on pressure data (also by using maps or orthophotos); including Medium SWB suggested as HMWB C Based on risk assessment Low D Currently no classification possible –

Unless additional information was available, the following classification was done based on the risk assessment (with low confidence): - SWB not at risk  “High – Good” - SWB possibly at risk  “Good – Moderate” - SWB at risk  “Moderate – Bad”

13 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

For the hydro-morphological classification, the recent mapping in a sub-basis of the Upper Kura RBD is not yet regarded. Risk assessment data for water abstraction and physical alterations were used to exclude High status. At present, no more detailed classification can be given. Table 4 lists all river SWB classified with the new ESCS for macroinvertebrates. Figure 2 shows a map with the classification results. The results are summarised in Figure 3.

Figure 2: Ecological classification of SWB in the Upper Kura RBD.

14 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Figure 3: Left: Relative proportion of ecological status classes of river SWB in the Upper Kura RBD(H = high status, G-H = good to high status, G = good status, M = medium status, M-B = medium to bad status, P = poor status, B = bad status, na = not available). Right: Relative proportion of different classes of classification confidence.

Table 4: Ecological Status of SWB based on the new ESCS for macroinvertebrates.

Ecological SWB Code Basin Sub-Basin River Name Confidence Status AZ_Gan1011-1-WB002 Kura Ganikh Dashagilchay 4 A AZ_Gan101-2-WB007 Kura Ganikh Ayrichay 3 A AZ_Gan1013-1-WB008 Kura Ganikh Kishchay 1 A AZ_Gan1013-3-HMWB010 Kura Ganikh Kishchay 4* A* AZ_Gan101-4-WB015 Kura Ganikh Ayrichay 4 A AZ_Gan102-1-WB019 Kura Ganikh Kurmukhchay 4 A AZ_Gan102-2-WB020 Kura Ganikh Kurmukhchay 4 A AZ_Gan102-3-WB021 Kura Ganikh Kurmukhchay 3 A AZ_Gan104-3-WB031 Kura Ganikh Karachay 4 A AZ_Gan1051-1-WB034 Kura Ganikh Talachay 1 A AZ_Gan1051-2-WB035 Kura Ganikh Talachay 4 A AZ_Gan106-2-WB039 Kura Ganikh Katekhchay 4 A AZ_Gan107-2-WB043 Kura Ganikh Balakanchay 4 A AZ_Kur011-2-WB004 Kura Kura Gancachay 1 A AZ_Kur011-3-WB005 Kura Kura Gancachay 3 A AZ_Kur011-5-WB007 Kura Kura Gancachay 4 A AZ_Kur012-1-WB010 Kura Kura Qoshqar 2 A AZ_Kur012-2-WB011 Kura Kura Qoshqar 3 A AZ_Kur0131-1-WB018 Kura Kura Gedabeychay 4 A AZ_Kur013-1-WB016 Kura Kura Shamkirchay 3 A

15 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

AZ_Kur013-6-WB023 Kura Kura Shamkirchay 3 A AZ_Kur014-1-WB026 Kura Kura Zeyemchay 4 A AZ_Kur014-2-WB028 Kura Kura Zeyemchay 3 A AZ_Kur014-3-WB030 Kura Kura Zeyemchay 5 A AZ_Kur0151-1-WB033 Kura Kura Tovuzchay 4 A AZ_Kur015-1-WB031 Kura Kura Axincachay 2 A AZ_Kur0152-1-WB035 Kura Kura Asrikchay 1 A AZ_Kur015-2-WB032 Kura Kura Axincachay 4 A AZ_Kur015-3-WB034 Kura Kura Tovuz 4 A AZ_Kur01-5-WB045 Kura Kura Kura 2 A AZ_Kur0161-2-WB042 Kura Kura Coqaschay 2 A AZ_Kur016-2-WB040 Kura Kura Akstafachay 4 A AZ_Kur016-3-WB043 Kura Kura Akstafachay 4 A *Natural SWB are classified by ecological status, and HMWB/AWB by ecological potential based on a different methodology. In any case, the WFD requires to revisit the classification and typology of these HMWB/AWB SWB once local monitoring data are analysed and a classification method for the ecological potential is available.

Lakes Like for the chemical status, no classification of ecological status or potential is available for the lakes and reservoirs of the Upper Kura RDB so far.

4.3 Hydro-morphological Status

The hydro-morphological status was assessed at 32 survey units in the Kura and Ganikh river basins, with a 5 point system in accordance with the requirements of the WFD, based on the assessment of parameters mentioned in chapter 3.3. The survey results of hydro-morphological status are shown in Table 5 below. Rivers within the cities Gazakh, Ganja, and Sheki, as well as the Gosh-garchay mining area are seriously modified. WBs with high and good status can only be found in the upper parts of the investigated rivers, while middle and lower parts of the investigated rivers show predominantly a moderate or poor hydro-morphological status. The results of the survey indicate that in many cases changes to the hydrological regime, e.g. water abstraction, resulting in partly or totally dry river beds are the main reason for a moderate or poor hydromorphological status classification (EUWI+, 2020a).

Table 5: Hydro-morphological sampling sites including hydro-morphological status.

Survey Unit Nr. SWB Code Basin River Name Site Name HYMO Status

SW-1 Kur0161-2-WB042 Kura Joghazchay Alpoud 4 SW-2 Kur016-1-WB039 Kura Agstafachay Below reservoir 4 SW-3 Kur016-3-WB043 Kura Agstafachay Gazakh city 4 Tovuzchay SW-4 Kur015-2-WB032 Kura Oysuzlu 3 (Akhinjachay) SW-5 Kur015-3-WB034 Kura Tovuzchay Below Tovuz city 3 SW-6 Kur015-1-WB031 Kura Akhinjachay Garalar 1 SW-7 Kur014-1-WB026 Kura Zayamchay Aghbashlar 1

16 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

SW-8 Kur014-2-WB028 Kura Zayamchay Tatarli 3 SW-9 Kur014-3-WB030 Kura Zayamchay Kohna Gala 4 SW-10 Kur013-1-WB016 Kura Shamkirchay Galakand 2 SW-11 Kur0131-1-WB018 Kura Gadabaychay Gadabay 1 SW-12 Kur013-5-WB022 Kura Shamkirchay Below reservoir 3 SW-13 Kur013-6-WB023 Kura Shamkirchay Chinarli 3 SW-14 Kur012-1-WB010 Kura Qoshgarchay Khoshbulag 1 SW-15 Kur012-2-WB011 Kura Qoshgarchay Dashkasan 2 SW-16 Kur012-3-WB013 Kura Qoshgarchay Gizilja 4 SW-17 Kur011-1-WB002 Kura Ganjachay Upstream of Zurnabad 1 SW-18 Kur011-2-WB004 Kura Ganjachay Zurnabad 2 SW-19 Kur011-3-WB005 Kura Ganjachay Topalhasanli 2 SW-20 Kur011-4-WB006 Kura Ganjachay Ganja city 4 SW-21 Gan107-1-WB042 Ganykh Balakanchay Mahamalar 1 SW-22 Gan107-2-WB043 Ganykh Balakanchay Balakan city 3 SW-23 Gan106-2-WB039 Ganykh Katekhchay Near the highway road 2 SW-24 Gan1051-1-WB034 Ganykh Talachay Near of Meshlesh village 1 SW-25 Gan1051-2-WB035 Ganykh Talachay Below Zagatala city 3 SW-26 Gan102-1-WB019 Ganykh Kurmukchay Below Ilisu 1 SW-27 Gan102-3-WB021 Ganykh Kurmukchay Below Gakh city 3 SW-28 Gan1013-1-WB008 Ganykh Kishchay Upper Kish village 1 SW-29 Gan1013-3-WB010 Ganykh Kishchay Shaki city 4 SW-30 Gan1011-1-WB002 Ganykh Ayrichay Bash Dashagil 1 SW-31 Gan101-1-WB004 Ganykh Ayrichay Below Bash Dashagil 3 SW-32 Gan101-2-WB007 Ganykh Ayrichay Below Shaki city 3

17 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

5 RECOMMENDED SURFACE WATER MONITORING

5.1 Measures to improve the surface water monitoring

During recent years within the EUWI+ project, a significant improvement through training and procure- ment of equipment necessary for chemical and biological monitoring could be achieved. However, on the basis of the review, analysis and assessment of the existing surface water monitoring system and the requirements of the WFD, the improvement of surface water monitoring in Azerbaijan as a whole and in the Kura river basin in particular should include:  Establishment of WFD compliant monitoring programmes (surveillance, operational, and investigative monitoring) to assess the chemical and ecological status of surface waters  Implementation of the requirements of the ISO EN 17025  Continuation of training courses on sampling and processing of samples and data as well as maintenance of equipment  Further upgrading of equipment  Improving the collection, transfer and storage of monitoring data in a central database  Conduction of survey of further biological quality elements (BQE) in addition to macro-invertebrates and diatoms, with the goal to create a basis for the development of WFD compliant ESCS for all BQE  Expansion of the hydro-morphological survey on other sub-basins of the Upper Kura RBD  Investigate concentrations of priority pollutants according to WFD standards in surface waters, sediment, or biota, and adopt methods into national monitoring.

 Performing an intercalibration exercise for biological, chemical and hydro-morphological parameters and an evaluation of existing ESCS by performing a joint survey at transboundary rivers  Implementation and evaluation of the measures for improvement as specified in the survey reports of EUWI+

5.2 Chemical Monitoring

A proposal for surveillance and operational monitoring sites was discussed during a sub-regional work- shop on 18th and 19th November 2019 and thereafter. The recommended network will comprise of 11 surveillance and 41 operational sites in rivers, as well as 3 surveillance and 5 operational sites in lakes (or reservoirs) as summarized in Table 6 and shown in Figure 4. A detailed list can be found in the Annex (Table 14, Table 15, Table 16, Table 17). Additionally, investigative sites will be conducted if the need arises (Chapter 5.5; EUWI+, 2020f). It is recommended to revise number of sites from time to time and possibly adjust if deemed necessary under changing circumstances. Surveillance and operational monitoring sites should be selected based on the procedure outlined in the monitoring development plan (EUWI+, 2020d).

18 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Table 6: Overview of recommended monitoring sites in rivers and lakes of the Kura upstream Mingachevir reservoir RBD (Complete list of sites see Annex: Table 14, Table 15, Table 16, Table 17)

RBD SW Type Surveillance Sites Operational Sites

Upper Rivers 11 43 Kura Lakes 3 5

Rivers Surveillance and operational monitoring sites shall be installed as mentioned above (Table 6). Parameters It is recommended to further converge towards the EU Water Framework Directive and monitor the parameters that are required regarding both RBSPs and priority substances, but that are currently not included in the programme. These include pesticides, dioxins, alkylphenols, organotin compounds, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) (for more details, see Table 19). In addition to the monitoring of priority substances, river basin-specific pollutants should be identified according to the pressure and risk analysis (EUWI+, 2020e). At surveillance sites, all chemical parameters shall be sampled 12 times over the course of one year in rivers, once within the 6-year RBMP cycle. Concerning chemical operational monitoring in rivers, general physico-chemical parameters should be sampled 12x as well as priority substances and specific pollutants suspected by the risk assessment. Operational monitoring should be conducted within any two years of the RBMP cycle (Table 7).

Table 7: Recommended frequency of chemical monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD.

Quality Elements / Monitoring SWB Group of Parameters Frequency: General Physico- Chemical Parameters To be executed Chemical 12x within the selected within any of the Surveillance Rivers River Basin-Specific year of the RBMP cycle 6 years of the Monitoring Pollutants RMBP cycle Priority Substances General Physico- 12x within the selected To be executed Chemical Parameters year of the RBMP cycle within any 2 Chemical years of the 6 Operational Rivers River Basin-Specific -* years RMBP Monitoring Pollutants cycle Priority Substances -* * If the risk assessment finds the SWB to be affected by point source or diffuse pollution, chemical analysis of the suspected substances should also be conducted. – Rivers: 12x; Lakes: 6x.

19 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Figure 4: Recommended monitoring sites for surveillance and operational monitoring in rivers and lakes (reservoirs) of the Kura upstream Mingachevir reservoir RBD.

Lakes (incl. Reservoirs) Surveillance and operational monitoring sites shall be installed as mentioned above (Table 6). In terms of chemical monitoring, the goal of good chemical status applies to natural WB, as well as reservoirs which are considered either HMWB or AWB. Parameters Parameters for surveillance sites should be the same as for rivers. Parameters for operational monitoring sites are mainly general physico-chemical parameters as also currently included in water quality monitoring. Additionally, specific pollutants and priority substances for operational sites should be selected according to the pressure and risk analysis. It is recommended to sample general physico-chemical parameters, River Basin-Specific Pollutants (RBSP), and priority substances 6 times over the course of one year, once within the 6-year RBMP cycle. Concerning chemical operational monitoring in lakes (reservoirs), general physico-chemical parameters should be sampled 6 times as well as priority pollutants and specific substances suspected by the risk assessment. Operational monitoring should be conducted within any two years of the RBMP cycle (Table 8). The chemical sampling of general physico-chemical parameters shall be carried out along a vertical depth profile of six layers from surface to above the ground. For priority pollutants in surveillance monitoring and specific pollutants in operational monitoring, 2 sampling depths (epilimnion and hypolimnion) are considered sufficient.

20 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Table 8: Recommended frequency of chemical monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in lakes of the Upper Kura RBD.

Quality Elements / Monitoring SWB Group of Parameters Frequency: General Physico- Chemical Parameters To be executed Chemical 6x within the selected within any of the Surveillance Lakes River Basin-Specific year of the RBMP cycle 6 years of the Monitoring Pollutants RMBP cycle Priority Substances General Physico- 6x within the selected To be executed Chemical Parameters year of the RBMP cycle Chemical within any 2 Operational Lakes River Basin-Specific -* years of the 6 Monitoring Pollutants years RMBP cycle Priority Substances -* * If the risk assessment finds the SWB to be affected by point source or diffuse pollution, chemical analysis of the suspected substances should also be conducted. – Rivers: 12x; Lakes: 6x.

5.3 Biological Monitoring

Rivers Surveillance and operational monitoring sites shall be the same as for the chemical monitoring (Table 6). Parameters Like in the projects of previous years, monitoring will concentrate on macroinvertebrates. This BQE shall be investigated at all river monitoring sites of the surveillance and operational monitoring. In addition, phytobenthos should also be included at the operational monitoring sites, in order to start building up a data set for developing a WFD compliant classification method for diatoms. The monitoring of macrophytes and fish should be included in the next RBMP cycle. Based on data from the EUWI+ project a new WFD compliant ESCS for macro-invertebrates was proposed recently, which shall become the basis for the ecological classification in the future monitoring. In the operational monitoring, it is recommended to focus on those BQE, which are most sensitive to the dominant pressure – in case of significant point sources of organic pollution, or hydro-morphological alterations this is macrozoobenthos. In case of diffuse pollution, phytobenthos should be monitored in small rivers, but phytoplankton in medium to large rivers. In all cases, the development of WFD compliant classification system is required. Concerning frequency, benthic invertebrates and phytobenthos will be sampled once within a selected year. Surveillance monitoring is to be executed once within any of the 6 years of the RMBP cycle, and operational monitoring twice within any 2 years of the 6 years RMBP cycle (Table 9). Chemical and biological data should be jointly interpreted and therefore preferably sampled on the same occasion.

21 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Table 9: Recommended frequency of biological monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD.

Quality Elements / Monitoring SWB Group of Parameters Frequency:

Biological Benthic Invertebrates 1x within the To be executed within Surveillance Rivers selected year of any of the 6 years of Monitoring Phytobenthos (diatoms) the RBMP cycle the RMBP cycle Biological Benthic Invertebrates 1x within the To be executed within Operational Rivers selected year of any 2 years of the 6 Monitoring Phytobenthos (diatoms) the RBMP cycle years RMBP cycle

Lakes (incl. Reservoirs) Surveillance monitoring sites shall be the same as for the chemical monitoring (Table 6). As mentioned in Chapter 2.1, the ecological status applies only to natural water bodies. As the suggested monitoring network includes reservoirs and therefore HMWB/AWB, the BQEs and supporting elements in this case relate to determining the ecological potential. However, the available ESCS applies to natural water bodies and assesses the ecological status. A practical framework for defining the good ecological potential is described in the CIS Guidance No 37 (2020). The central function of biological monitoring is the determination of the ecological status, and therefore has priority over the determination of the ecological potential.

Parameters It is proposed to start a regular (annual) monitoring of phytoplankton, which is commonly considered as the most important BQE to assess trophic impacts on standing waters. It should include chlorophyll-a and a quantification of taxonomic composition. In a first phase new data from the monitoring shall be gathered. In a second phase, a classification system shall be developed according to the requirements of the EU CIS Guidance documents on Intercalibration, following the procedure exemplarily presented for the ESCS for invertebrates in rivers. Other biological quality elements will be included in the next RBMP cycle. Concerning frequency, phytoplankton is recommended to be sampled 6 times over the course of a selected year. The six samplings in lakes within one year should be distributed over the course of the vegetation period. Surveillance monitoring is to be executed once within any of the 6 years of the RMBP cycle, and operational monitoring twice within any 2 years of the 6 years RMBP cycle (Table 10). Chem- ical and biological data should be jointly interpreted and therefore preferably sampled on the same occasion.

Table 10: Recommended frequency of biological monitoring at surveillance and operational sites in lakes of the Upper Kura RBD.

Quality Elements / Monitoring SWB Group of Parameters Frequency: Biological 6x within the To be executed within Surveillance Lakes Phytoplankton selected year of the any of the 6 years of Monitoring RBMP cycle the RMBP cycle

22 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Quality Elements / Monitoring SWB Group of Parameters Frequency: Biological 6x within the To be executed within Operational Lakes Phytoplankton selected year of the any 2 years of the 6 Monitoring RBMP cycle years RMBP cycle

5.4 Hydro-morphological Monitoring

Rivers Hydro-morphology is a supporting element according to the WFD, which comes into effect when differ- entiating between good or high ecological status. While previous hydro-morphological descriptions were carried out at single sites, the new monitoring shall cover the whole river network. Based on a training on hydro-morphological description and classification, a hydro-morphological survey was carried out in a sub-basin of the Upper Kura RBD in September 2019. This sampling campaign was the starting point of hydro-morphological mapping in the Upper Kura river basin, which will be carried out during the next year and within the coming RBMP cycle. One of the objectives of the new monitoring shall be to validate the results of the SWB delineation. As regards the quantitative hydrological network, water discharge is currently measured only a few sites only. It is therefore desireable to open several additional hydrological stations in the region. With regard to hydropower plants, sufficient ecological flow should be considered and therefore data needs to be collected. Parameters According to the new training on hydro-morphological description and classification system carried out during the EPIRB and EUWI+ projects, all parameters relevant for a WFD compliant assessment shall be covered, viz. the hydrological regime (including the quantity and dynamics of water flow and the connection to groundwater bodies), the river continuity, and the morphological conditions (including river depth and width variation, structure and substrate of the river bed, and structure of the riparian zone).

Lakes (incl. Reservoirs) It is recommended to start a quantitative monitoring on Lake Zincirli as well as on the seven reservoirs by measuring water level. A morphological classification of the littoral zone and specifically to morphological measures to reach the good ecological status/potential is planned for the next RBMP cycle.

Table 11: Overview of proposed hydrological monitoring in standing waters of the Upper Kura RBD.

Quality element / group of parameters Frequency Monitoring sites Water level Daily/weekly 8 Other parameters – –

23 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

5.5 Investigative Monitoring

As outlined in chapter 2.1, investigative monitoring may also be required in specified cases. These are given as:  where the reason for any exceedances (of environmental objectives) is unknown;  where surveillance monitoring indicates that the objectives are not likely to be achieved and operational monitoring has not already been established; or  to ascertain the magnitude and impacts of accidental pollution. Investigative monitoring will thus be designed to the specific case or problem being investigated. In some cases it will be more intensive in terms of monitoring frequencies and focused on particular water bodies or parts of water bodies, and on relevant quality elements. Investigative monitoring might also include alarm or early warning monitoring, for example, for the protection of drinking water intakes against accidental pollution. This type of monitoring could include continuous or semi-continuous measurements of a few chemical (such as dissolved oxygen) and/or biological (such as fish) determinants. Investigative monitoring is an „on demand“ concept addressing specific cases or problems and thus, neither suggestions for sites nor for relevant parameters can be provided in this document. Further information and guidance on investigative monitoring is provided in the “Back- ground and concept paper for Investigative Monitoring” (EUWI+, 2020f). In November 2020, an investigative monitoring has been carried out in the EUWI+ project to identify additional pollution sources from gravel extraction in the Oguz region near Dashaqil village, assessing household wastewaters of Sheki and other residential areas and pollution from agriculture and the impact of the Ayrichay reservoir. The investigated parameters comprise of standard physico-chemical parameters, various metals, oil products, and macroinvertebrates. Data were made available in January 2021 in the related national report of investigative monitoring.

24 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

6 REFERENCES

EUWI+ Products EUWI+, 2019a. Technical Report. “Thematic Summary - River Basin Management Development in the Kura Upstream Mingachevir Dam River Basin District in Azerbaijan, Part 1 – Characterisation Phase”. Available online in English at: [https://www.euwipluseast.eu/en/component/k2/item/483-thematic-summary-river-basin-management-development-in-kura-upstream-mingachevir-dam-river-basin-district-in- azerbaijan-part-1-characterisation-phase?fromsearch=1] EUWI+, 2019b. Technical Report “Water Monitoring Assessment Report – Azerbaijan”. Available online in English at: [https://www.euwipluseast.eu/en/component/k2/item/577-water-monitoring-assessment-report-azerbaijan?fromsearch=1] EUWI+, 2019c. Technical Report “Azerbaijan: Surface Water Survey 2018 Field Survey of Macroinver- tebrates in 21 Sites within the River Basins of Ganikh and Kura (Upstream Minagechevir Dam)”. Avail- able online in English at: [https://www.euwipluseast.eu/en/component/k2/item/652-azerbaijan-surface- water-survey-2018-field-survey-of-macroinvertebrates-in-21-sites-within-the-river-basins-of-ganikh- and-kura-upstream-the-mingachevir-dam?fromsearch=1] EUWI+, 2020a. Technical Report “Azerbaijan: Hydromorphological Assessment Report 2019”. Availa- ble online in English at: [https://www.euwipluseast.eu/en/component/k2/item/822-azerbaijan-hydromorphological-assessment-report-2019-eng?fromsearch=1] EUWI+, 2020b. Technical Report “Azerbaijan: Surface Water Survey Report 2019”. Available online in English at: [https://www.euwipluseast.eu/en/component/k2/item/828-azerbaijan-surface-water-survey- report-2019-eng?fromsearch=1] EUWI+, 2020c. Technical Report “Definition of Reference Conditions and Class Boundaries in Rivers of Azerbaijan for the BQE benthic invertebrates”. Available online in English at: [https://www.euwipluseast.eu/en/component/k2/item/1114-azerbaijan-definition-of-reference-conditions-and-class- boundaries-in-rivers-of-azerbaijan-for-the-bqe-benthic-invertebrates-eng?fromsearch=1] EUWI+, 2020d. Technical Report “Surface Water Monitoring Development Plan Azerbaijan”. Available online at: [https://euwipluseast.eu/] EUWI+, 2020e. RBMP “Draft River Basin Management Plan for the Kura Upstream of Mingachevir Dam River Basin, Azerbaijan”. Available online at: [https://euwipluseast.eu/] EUWI+, 2020f. Guidance “Background and concept paper for Investigative Monitoring”. Available online at: [https://euwipluseast.eu/] EUWI+, 2020g. Technical Report “Delineation of Surface Water Bodies in the Kura Upstream Minga- chevir Dam River Basin District in Azerbaijan”. Available online at: [https://euwipluseast.eu/]

Legislation CIS Guidance No 37, 2020. “Steps for defining and assessing ecological potential for improving com- parability of Heavily Modified Water Bodies”. EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).

25 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

7 ANNEX

Table 12: Current water quality monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD, investigated during the EPIRB and the EUWI+ projects.

River_name Site_name Site_name_alternative EPIRB EUWI+ Latitude Longitude Agstafachay Qazax asaqi Mollarcafarli, Mollarjafirli, near + + 41.088333 45.560666 Qazak/Gazakh city Agstafachay Below reservoir + 41.051972 45.271722 Agstafachay Joghazchay near confluence Joghazchay + 41.088333 45.3364 Akhinjachay Qaralar Axincachay - Qonalqli + 40.720666 45.489166 Akhinjachay Upper Tovuz Axincachay, Tovuz chay + 40.94775 45.579222 Asrik chay Tovuz, upstream Tovuz, upstream, mouth of the river + 40.805011 45.600026 Balaken chay Upstream of Belokan Maxmala vil.Balaken + 41.726500 46.430283

Bitdilli chay Maqistralar yaxin Near the highway + Coqazchay Alpaut vill. Jagazchay - Alpout (below reservoir) + + 41.079277 45.203638

Eyri chay Bash Dashagil, Oquz Below Bridge +

Eyri chay Qoynuk, Below Ayrichay + res.

Ganja chay below Goygol city below Göygöl city + Ganja chay Zurnabad Zurnabad Goyol + 40.498250 46.241777 Ganja chay Below Ganja (below bridge), Korpunun alti Gence + 40.675694 46.365888

Kish chay Kish kendi Seki + Kurmuk chay Almaly, below Gakh Below Bridge, Qara chay qolu, Celayir + 41.316667 46.783333 korpu Qax

Kurmuk chay near Gakh Ulu Bridge, Ulu korpu Qax +

Qarachay Laqic city Zaqatala Lahic + Qoshqar chay Khoshbulaq + 40.43725 46.030777 Qoshqar chay Yalgishlag (Upper) Bayan vill. + 40.623323 46.210600 Qoshqar chay Metfactory korpuden asaqi Daskesen (below bridge) + 40.637527 46.236944 Shamkirchay Korpuden asaqi Chinarli (below )highway bridge + 40.809888 46.109305

Tala chay Meshlek vill. city + Zaqatala

Tala chay Zaqatala asaqi korpu + Tovuz chay Below Tovuz Below Tovuz (below park), Alimardanli + + 41.039083 45.706861 Tovuz chay Oysuzlu yux. Axin + + 40.944055 45.569833 Zayamchay Yaniqli upstream Yanigli (Yanıxlı) + + 40.757138 45.672416 Zayamchay below Tatarli, below Yanigli, Tatarlı, Kohnogalo, + + 40.876805 45.762277 Kohnogalo Khoxnagala

Zayamchay Kohnogalo, Khoxnagala +

Table 13: Current hydrological monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD.

Monitoring Period under Distance from Catchment Average altitude of station Country operation the mouth area the catchment Gabiri/iori subbasin Salahly Azerbaijan 1928-1959 43 km 4,190 km² 780 m asl Keseman Azerbaijan 1975-2010 – 4,270 km² –

26 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Monitoring Period under Distance from Catchment Average altitude of station Country operation the mouth area the catchment Yusiflu Azerbaijan 1947-1954 – 4,550 km² 700 m asl

Table 14: Recommended surveillance monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD.

River name Sampling site WB code HMWB Latitude Longitude Akhinjachay Qaralar AZ_Kur015-1-WB031 No 40,720666 45,489166 Ganja chay Below Ganja AZ_Kur011-5-WB007 No 40,675694 46,365888 Kura Shixli AZ_Kur01-5-WB045 No 41,257489 45,264629 Shamkirchay Korpuden asaqi AZ_Kur013-6-WB023 No 40,809888 46,109305 Talachay Below Zagatala city AZ_Gan1051-2-WB035 No 41,597187 46,63425 Ganikh Below of Georgian border AZ_Gan10-8-WB049 No 41,602186 46,226954 Before influens to Mingechavir Ganikh AZ_Gan10-1-WB001 No 41,069187 46,632652 reservoir Karachay Upstrem of Karachay AZ_Gan104-1-WB028 No 41,606945 46,875357 Kungutchay Upsterm of Bash Keldek village AZ_Gan1012-1-WB005 No 41,182211 47,333998 Mazimchay Upstream of Mazimchay village AZ_Gab017-1-WB046 No 41,838347 46,388163 Before influens to Mingechavir Kura AZ_Kur01-1-WB001 No 40,916306 46,485126 reservoir

Table 15: Recommended surveillance monitoring sites in lakes (reservoirs) of the Upper Kura RBD.

Lake/Reservoir Sampling site euWaterBodyCode HMWB Latitude Longitude Mingachevir Reservoir Near the Mingechavir city AZ_Kur01-1-HMWB001 Yes 40,798523 47,034781 Shamkir Reservoir Yeniabad AZ_Kur01-3-HMWB003 Yes 40,928513 46,1535 Zincirli Lake In the Zincirli lake AZ_Kur013-1-LB004 No 40,406507 45,983059

Table 16: Recommended operational monitoring sites in rivers of the Upper Kura RBD.

River Name Sampling Site WB Code HMWB Latitude Longitude Ayrichay Near the Dashbuz village AZ_Gan101-2-WB007 No 41,094171 47,097837 Ayrichay Before influenc to Gabirli river AZ_Gan101-5-WB017 No 41,264302 46,799214 Ayrichay After Ayrichay resvoir AZ_Gan101-3-WB014 No 41,211359 46,953879 Balakanchay After Balaken city AZ_Gan107-2-WB043 No 41,718185 46,421475 Balakanchay Before influenc to Gabirli river AZ_Gan107-3-WB044 No 41,606945 46,336409 Ganikh Near the Chardakhlar village AZ_Gan10-6-WB037 No 41,538535 46,328081 Ganikh Kindirgakh AZ_Gan10-4-WB027 No 41,373758 46,645144 Ganikh After influnce Kapuchay rive AZ_Gan10-3-WB023 No 41,339256 46,68738 Ganikh After influnce Kurmukhchay rive AZ_Gan10-2-WB018 No 41,309512 46,699872 Ganikh After influnce Mazimchay rive AZ_Gan10-7-WB045 No 41,623006 46,276328 Ganikh After influnce Talachay rive AZ_Gan10-5-WB033 No 41,437646 46,463354 Junutchay Baldarli AZ_Gan1015-1-WB016 No 41,277746 46,878094 Kapuchay Karabaldirli AZ_Gan103-1-WB026 No 41,404096 46,721049 Karachay Mosul AZ_Gan104-4-WB032 No 41,441929 46,546873 Katekhchay Pashan AZ_Gan106-3-WB040 No 41,611823 46,483341

27 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Katekhchay Ititala AZ_Gan106-4-WB041 No 41,586125 46,360561 Kishchay After the Sheki city AZ_Gan1013-4-WB011 No 41,182092 47,129365 Kishchay After the kish village AZ_Gan1013-2-WB009 No 41,228492 47,16934 Kishchay Sheki city AZ_Gan1013-3-WB010 Yes 41,202793 47,155063 Kurmukhchay After the almali village AZ_Gan102-4-WB022 No 41,331284 46,731043 Mazimchay Shambul AZ_Gan108-3-WB048 No 41,71176 46,272759 Muganlichay Muganli AZ_Gan105-1-WB036 No 41,48476 46,494762 Akstafachay Jafarli AZ_Kur016-1-WB039 No 41,022906 45,236979 Akstafachay poylu AZ_Kur016-4-WB044 No 41,166388 45,433999 Asrikchay Asrik AZ_Kur0152-2-WB036 No 40,872715 45,635729 Axincachay Oysuzlu AZ_Kur015-2-WB032 No 40,927918 45,583381 Coqaschay Alpout AZ_Kur0161-2-WB042 No 41,081155 45,214089 Coqaschay Mazam AZ_Kur0161-1-WB041 No 41,063071 45,117959 Gancachay Chiraqli AZ_Kur011-1-WB002 No 40,423472 46,211559 Gancachay Lek AZ_Kur011-6-WB008 No 40,793716 46,506612 Gancachay Upstrem of GoyGol city AZ_Kur011-3-WB005 No 40,57671 46,304834 Gancachay Upstream of Ganja city AZ_Kur011-4-WB006 Yes 40,669033 46,359086 Gedabeychay After the Gadabay city AZ_Kur0131-1-WB018 No 40,563385 45,880338 Kura Guneshli AZ_Kur01-4-WB038 No 41,076396 45,779449 Kura Kur village AZ_Kur01-3-WB015 No 40,95552 46,183957 Kura Yenikend AZ_Kur01-2-WB009 No 40,913641 46,305786 Qoshqar Bayan AZ_Kur012-2-WB011 No 40,558626 46,164922 Qoshqar Seyidler AZ_Kur012-4-WB014 No 40,852727 46,301978 Shamkirchay After confluence Gadabaychay AZ_Kur013-3-WB019 No 40,549108 45,91365 Shamkirchay Yuxari Chaykend AZ_Kur013-4-WB021 No 40,64619 46,002166 Shamkirchay Mehrili AZ_Kur013-5-WB022 No 40,696634 46,039286 Tovuz Alimerdanli AZ_Kur015-4-WB037 No 41,039277 45,709017 Tovuzchay Oysuzlu AZ_Kur0151-1-WB033 No 40,942195 45,558635

Table 17: Recommended operational monitoring sites in reservoirs of the Upper Kura RBD.

Lake/Reservoir Sampling Site WB Code HMWB Latitude Longitude Ayrichay Reservoir Babaratma AZ_Gan101-1-HMWB008 Yes 41,199938 46,979459 Aghstafachay Reservoir Jafarli AZ_Kur016-1-HMWB007 Yes 41,032614 45,250257 Shamkirchay Reservoir Near the Mehrili village AZ_Kur013-2-HMWB005 Yes 40,721785 46,056228 Tovuzchay Reservoir Oysuzlu AZ_Kur015-1-HMWB006 Yes 40,955163 45,60432 Yenikend Reservoir Kur village AZ_Kur01-2-HMWB002 Yes 40,93232 46,210607

Table 18: Overview of parameters in the chemical monitoring in the Upper Kura RBD (analysed during EPIRB and EUWI+).

Parameter group Group n Parameter Relevant for … General phys.- Thermal 1 Water temperature Ecological status chem. conditions

Oxygen regime 2 Oxygen (conc., sat.), BOD5, COD(Cr) Ecological status Salinity 3 Chloride, sulphate, electric conductivity Ecological status

28 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

Parameter group Group n Parameter Relevant for … Nutrients 3 Nitrate, ammonium, phosphate Ecological status Acidification 1 pH Ecological status Other 2 Transparency, total suspended solids Ecological status National and (Heavy) metals 5 Cadmium, copper, zinc, nickel, lead Ecological status WFD relevant (some parameters pollutants such as cadmium: chemical status) Other pollutants 1 Arsenic Chemical status

Table 19: Actual capacities of the Laboratories (in Baku) for measuring the priority substances that are listed by the EU WFD and associated directives for surface water monitoring

priority priority Parameter in substance hazardous Frequency of Scope of Analysis? Substance name [Y/N] substance [Y/N] sampling [Y/N]

Alachlor yes no 1 x/month no

Anthracen yes yes 1 x/month no

Atrazine yes no 1 x/month no

Benzene yes no 1 x/month no Brominated Diphenylether (Congeners with numbers 28, 47, yes yes 1 x/month 99, 100, 153 and 154)1 no Cadmium- and Cadmium compounds yes yes 1 x/month yes yes yes yes yes no no 1 x/quarter Carbon tetrachloride no yes yes 1 x/month C10-13 Chloralkanes2 no yes no 1 x/month Chlorfenvinphos no Chlorpyrifos (Chlorpyrifos-Ethyl) yes no 1 x/month no Cyclodien Pesticide: Aldrin yes Dieldrin no no 1 x/quarter Endrin Isodrin DDT instotal no no 1 x/quarter yes Para-para-DDT no no 1 x/quarter yes 1,2-Dichlorethane yes no 1 x/month no Dichlormethane yes no 1 x/month no

29 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

priority priority Parameter in substance hazardous Frequency of Scope of Analysis? Substance name [Y/N] substance [Y/N] sampling [Y/N] Bis(2-ethyl-hexyl)phthalat (DEHP) yes no 1 x/month no Diuron yes no 1 x/month no Endosulfan3 yes yes 1 x/month Fluoranthen yes no 1 x/month no Hexachlorbenzene yes yes 1 x/month yes Hexachlorbutadien yes yes 1 x/month Hexachlorcyclohexan4 yes yes 1 x/month yes Isoproturon yes no 1 x/month no Lead and lead compounds yes no 1 x/month yes Mercury and mercury compounds yes yes 1 x/month yes Naphthalin yes no 1 x/month no Nickel- and Nickel compounds yes no 1 x/month yes Nonylphenol (4-Nonylphenol)5 yes yes 1 x/month no 4-tert-Octylphenol ((4-(1,1′,3,3′- yes no 1 x/month Tetramethylbutyl)-phenol)) no Pentachlorbenzene yes yes 1 x/month Pentachlorphenol yes no 1 x/month no Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) no Benzo(a)pyren no

6 Benzo(b)fluoranthen yes yes 1 x/month no Benzo(k)fluoranthen6 no Benzo(g,h,i)-perylen no Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyren no Simazin yes no 1 x/month no Tetrachloroethylene no no 1 x/quarter no Trichloroethylene no no 1 x/quarter no Tributyltin compounds (Tributhyltin- yes yes 1 x/month cation) no Trichlorobenzene7 yes no 1 x/month no Trichlormethane yes no 1 x/month no Trifluralin yes yes 1 x/month no Dicofol yes yes 1 x/month no Perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOA) yes yes 1 x/month and derivatives (PFOS) no Quinoxyfen yes yes 1 x/month no Dioxine and dioxin-like compounds8 yes yes 1 x/month no Aclonifen yes no 1 x/month no Bifenox yes no 1 x/month

30 Surface Water Monitoring in the “Kura upstream of Mingachevir Dam” River Basin District (Azerbaijan)

priority priority Parameter in substance hazardous Frequency of Scope of Analysis? Substance name [Y/N] substance [Y/N] sampling [Y/N] Cybutryn yes no 1 x/month no Cypermethrin yes no 1 x/month no Dichlorvos yes no 1 x/month no Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)9 yes yes 1 x/month no Heptachlor and Heptachlorepoxid10 yes yes 1 x/month yes Terbutryn yes no 1 x/month no