0 River Basin Analysis in TheEnvironmental Chorokhi - Adjaristskali Protection pilot basin, of Georgia Internatinal River Basins (EPIRB) Project Funded by the This project is implemented by a European Union Contract No 2011/279-666 Consortium led by Hulla and Co. Human Dynamics KG Prepared by Information Engineering Center – IEC Tbilisi,2013 1 River Basin Analysis in The Chorokhi - Adjaristskali pilot basin, Georgia Contents 1. CHARACHTERISATION OF THE CHOROKHI-ADJARISTKALI PILOT BASIN .................................... 4 1.2 Basin Overview .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.1.1 General Overview ...................................................................................................................... 4 1.1.3 Identification of an Authorized Agency to Potentially Implement RBPM ................................. 4 1.2 Geographic Overview ................................................................................................................ 5 1.2.1 Overview of the Basin’s Natural Environment .......................................................................... 5 1.2.2 Climate....................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2.3 Vegetation Cover ..................................................................................................................... 13 1.2.4 Protected Areas ....................................................................................................................... 19 1.2.4.1 Sanitary protection zones for drinking water supply systems and related regulations ........ 19 1.2.4.2 Areas designated for the protection of habitats and species ................................................ 20 1.2.5 Geology and Geomorphology ................................................................................................. 22 1.2.5.1 Geology .................................................................................................................................. 22 1.2.5.2 Geo-morphology .................................................................................................................... 26 1.2.6 Geo-dynamic Processes: Landslides, Mudflows and Rockfall ................................................. 29 1.3 Hydrologic Characteristics of the Pilot Basin........................................................................... 33 1.3.1 Surface Waters ........................................................................................................................ 41 1.3.2 Surface Water Uses ................................................................................................................. 47 1.3.3 Natural Lakes and Reservoirs .................................................................................................. 50 1.3.4 Ground Waters ........................................................................................................................ 50 2. HUMAN ACTIVITIES IN THE PILOT BASIN................................................................................. 59 Introductory note ............................................................................................................................... 59 2.1. Demography ............................................................................................................................ 59 2.2. Overview of economic activities in the basin .......................................................................... 65 2.3. Agriculture, irrigation .............................................................................................................. 71 2.4. Water abstraction and wastewater discharge ........................................................................ 78 2.5. Industry and mining................................................................................................................. 81 2.6. Hydropower generation .......................................................................................................... 83 2.7. Waste disposal ........................................................................................................................ 88 2.8. Fish farms ................................................................................................................................ 89 2 River Basin Analysis in The Chorokhi - Adjaristskali pilot basin, Georgia 2.9. Transportation and navigation ................................................................................................ 90 2.10. Forestry ................................................................................................................................... 95 2.11. Tourism .................................................................................................................................... 97 2.12. Trends in human activity ......................................................................................................... 98 3. PRESSURES AND IMPACT ANALYSIS IN THE PILOT BASIN ..................................................... 100 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 100 3.1 Water Abstractions and River Flow Regulation .................................................................... 101 3.1.1 Drinking and Industrial Water Abstractions .......................................................................... 101 3.1.2 Water Abstraction for Irrigation ............................................................................................ 104 3.1.1 Water Abstractions and Flow Regulation for Hydropower Generation ................................ 105 3.2 Diffused Sources of Pollution ................................................................................................ 109 3.2.1 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................. 109 3.2.2 Solid Household Waste ......................................................................................................... 110 3.2.3 Roads and Transport ............................................................................................................. 111 3.3 Point Sources of Pollution ..................................................................................................... 113 3.4 Physical and Morphological Changes of Water Objects ........................................................ 115 3.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 119 4. MONITORING IN THE PILOT RIVER BASIN ............................................................................. 122 4.1 Surface Water Quality Monitoring ........................................................................................ 122 4.1.1 Water Quality Monitoring and Existing Relevant Infrastructure .......................................... 122 4.1.2 Methodology for Assessment of Surface Water Quality ....................................................... 123 4.1.3 Selection of Criteria for Chemical Substances and their Analysis ......................................... 126 4.1.4 QA/QC Systems ..................................................................................................................... 131 4.2 Hydromorphological monitoring ........................................................................................... 134 4.2.1 Hydromorphological Monitoring in the Pilot River Basin ..................................................... 134 4.2.2 Methodology and Observation Frequency ........................................................................... 134 4.2.3 Hydromorphological Monitoring and Quality Control Elements .......................................... 135 4.3 Groundwater Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 136 4.4 Biological Monitoring ............................................................................................................ 136 5. ANNEXES (MAPS) ................................................................................................................... 138 6. BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................... 141 3 River Basin Analysis in The Chorokhi - Adjaristskali pilot basin, Georgia CHAPTER 1: CHARACHTERISATION OF THE CHOROKHI-ADJARISTKALI PILOT BASIN 4 River Basin Analysis in The Chorokhi - Adjaristskali pilot basin, Georgia 1. CHARACHTERISATION OF THE CHOROKHI-ADJARISTKALI PILOT BASIN 1.2 Basin Overview 1.1.1 General Overview The report is a general overview of the Chorokhi-Adjaristskali pilot basin covering the areas of geographic, climate, hydrology, water quality, and environmental characteristics and analysis. The report also touches upon the socio-economic aspects of the basin and effects of human activity over natural conditions of the basin. Chorokhi-Adjaristskali basin practically fully covers the territory of Ajara Autonomous Republic, which reflects on its special significance, as the dynamic marine infrastructure and growing tourism in the region requires increased utilization of natural resources of the basin. The report highlights use of water and land