Skip to main content
Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge4Policy (K4P)

Agricultural water management using Two-Stage Channels (TSCs): the Ritobäcken river case

Agricultural water management using Two-Stage Channels (TSCs): performance and policy recommendations based on Northern European experiences

  • Publication | 2025
Water Hub
Ritobäcken river
Ritobäcken river (@EU)

Conventional dredging of ditches and streams to ensure agricultural drainage and flood mitigation has severe environmental impacts. We assessed the main benefits of an alternative, nature-based two-stage channel design with floodplains excavated along the main channel. We conducted investigations at Finnish field sites (primary field site: Ritobäcken, Finland) and performed a literature survey focusing on Boreal and Continental climatic conditions. The 820 m long two-stage channel was constructed in 2010. The study results show that two-stage ditches provide efficient flood control and drainage, and likely improve stream water quality and biodiversity. The obtained knowledge can be used to estimate environmental effects from the similar type of drainage solutions in rural areas.

Ritobäcken river case study map

View visualisation

 

Ritobäcken river case study - Factsheet
English
(143.17 KB - pdf)
Download
Ritobäcken river case study
English
(327.54 KB - pptx)
Download
More information and links
Available from

27 May 2025

Knowledge service | MetadataWater Hub | Nature-based solutions
Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET)floodnature-based solutions
Related reading
EVENT | 29 Sep 2026
EU4Algae Webinar: Algae-Based Biostimulants
The session will look at the EU policy and legislative framework, including sustainable nutrient management under the Common Agricultural Policy and the regulatory framework for algae-based biostimulants.
EVENT | 08 Oct 2026
Workshop Environmental Biotechnology: a call for action
The workshop aims to engage with startups, scaleups, SMEs and wider industry (including their representative associations) in a joint call for action, to leverage innovative biotechnologies for the benefit of society...
EVENT | 15 Sep 2026
KCB expert workshop on bio-based construction products
This workshop took place on 15 September 2026 in Brussels. It enabled a constructive dialogue on bio-based construction products among scientists, policymakers, and industrial stakeholders. Such...
More
Privacy statements, terms and conditions.
You will be directed to the EU Login website where you can login/register as a user. Once connected, your credentials (First name, last name, username, email) will be registered in Knowledge4policy as part of your profile, which will allow you to get involved in all Knowledge4policy communities (help is available).
You are leaving EUROPA

You are about to navigate to an external website. Please note that we are not responsible for its content.