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Thaws Pose a Risk of Flooding of Forest Roads and Stands

The changing weather conditions pose a risk of flooding of forest roads and forest stands. Therefore, currently, infrastructure specialists of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) are intensifying their efforts to ensure that the culverts are not blocked and that forest roads are not flooded or damaged.

Along with the thaw, which occurred in Kurzeme at the turn of the year, snow, as it rained heavily, melted rapidly and at the end of last week caused floods in LVM Kurzeme region, where due to the flooded Durbe River, traffic on the forest road “Sūriku dambis” was temporarily suspended. Traffic has now resumed. As it has snowed during these days and is expected to thaw in the coming days, it is possible that the road will be closed again this weekend,” says Ivars Ozols, Forest Infrastructure Manager of LVM Kurzeme region.

Drivers are encouraged to drive carefully along forest roads and report any damage to the forest infrastructure.

During thaw, high water levels are observed in the forests of Kurzeme. This is well illustrated by the ditches full of water. According to Ivars Ozols, in such conditions, forest drainage systems that were purposefully established and maintained in the previous years are crucial in order to drain water from forest stands. It is especially important to drain water from spruce stands as soon as possible, as spruces can perish very easily when flooded.