Skip to main content

OPTAIN: Sävjaan river catchment [Sweden]

Last update
2025
Sävjaån catchment is a lowland mixed land use catchment characteristic of central Sweden. Headwaters in the catchment drain a mixture of forest and agricultural land. Streams draining agricultural land are general deepened and straightened to promote drainage. Localized spring floods are common and summer droughts are increasing. Eutrophication is an issue throughout the catchment.
59.83054168118041
17.670219687235484
Project
OPTAIN
Implementation Status
Modeled

NUTS Code
SE03 - Östra Mellansverige
Involved Partners
Authority type Authority name Role Comments

Climate

Climate zone
cool temperate moist
Annual Averages:
Precipitation
639 mm/year
Temperature
6°C

Geography

Groundwater level
< 5 m
Vegetation class
Riparian grasses, wetland vegetation, crops in adjacent fields

Water quality

Water bodies: Ecological Status
Good to high
Water bodies: Chemical Status
Good
Site Information Summary

Small-scale experimental and permanent interventions on agricultural land to reduce diffuse pollution and increase ecological integrity.

Scale of the project

Project scale
Micro
Project scale specification
localised ditches and buffer strips in fields

Size of the project

Project area
Varies; local plots to small sub-catchments (0.5–100 ha)
Area specifications
Rural, cropland, ditch networks

Principles

Principles
Riparian areas proximal to streams and ditches that are not in agricultural production
can slow the movement of particulate matter and water from fields to receiving
waters, thereby potentially limiting peak flow.
Drainage ditches with a "bench" or floodplain can slow the movement of water and
retain nutrients, benches function as wetlands when wet.
Wetlands/ponds are created to retain nutrients and prevent drought/flooding.
Design land use change
Land use change type Comment
Other

Conversion of agricultural edges to buffer zones or retention features

Financing authorities
Authority name Type of funding Financing share Comments

Land ownership
Mixed ownership: individual, company, community/ village; cooperative arrangements with farmers
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Regional
Water
Regional/catchment-based strategy under EU directives
Policy target
Target purpose
Pollutants Removal
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact
Community involvment
No
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
WFD-mitigation of significant pressure
Contractual arrangements
0
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Name Key issues Comments
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Primary
Environmental Policy
Primary
Common Agricultural Policy

Monitoring system

Presence of formal monitoring system
No structured long-term monitoring in place

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments Order
Other
main factor

simplicity, ecosystem based 
Attitude of relevant stakeholders
main factor

farmers collaboration
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments Order
Lacking financing sources
No long term financial support from competent authorities
Expected maintenance needs
main barrier
unclear maintenance financing, Need for ongoing maintenance
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments Order
Legal obligations
main driver
EU Water Policy
Other
main driver
research-based evidence of effectiveness
Overall impact
Significant positive impact on runoff quality, biodiversity, and erosion control
Lessons learned Summary

Simple measures can have strong long-term effects but require maintenance and clear institutional responsibility