Vegetated shores with high
risk of erosion
Shores subjected
to erosion
Vegetated shores with high risk of erosion
Easily eroded sandy shores are found along 70% of the coastline.
Bedrock (sandstone) shores which are difficult to erode are rare
(<1% of the longshore).
The total length of segments of solid, vegetated shores with
erosion risk during storms with a given wind direction, is 62% of
the total shoreline. This proportion is similar for the open Baltic
and the Gulf of Rīga coasts.
Open shores of the Baltic Sea were exposed to significant erosion
during storms in 1993 and 1999. The mean width of the land lost
during the storms in 1993 and 1999 was 1-5 m, for low sandy coasts -
6-12 m. The amounts of sediments washed into the sea were 0.5-0.8
million m3 in one storm.
Shores subjected to erosion
The total length of solid shores subjected to erosion near
harbours is 32.5 km, and the widths of solid shores eroded during
the past 50-100 years varies between 30 m and 50 m for small
harbours to between 80 m and 200 m for large harbours (Liepāja,
Ventspils). On the updrift side of harbours, the terrestrial area
has accreted along a coastline length of about 41 km by deposition
of sand in the shallow-water belt of the sea.
A total of 68 residential buildings, 80 other buildings (including
3 lighthouses), and 2 cemeteries are located in the 20-60-m-wide
solid shore belt with high erosion risk. Inventory of the number of
residents living in this belt has not been made, but is at least
200. The most hazardous situation is on the Kurzeme coast of the
Gulf of Rīga.
Impact indicator
Threatened residential areas and buildings
| Residential area |
Homes
|
Other buildings, cottages,
etc. |
| Open Baltic seacoast |
|
|
| Nida, Rucava Pagasts* |
3 |
2 |
| Pape, Rucava Pagasts |
1 |
2 and lighthouse |
| Bernāti, Nīca Pagasts |
3 |
1 |
| Vērgale Pagast |
2 |
3 |
| Akmeņrags, Saka Pagasts |
1 |
2 and lighthouse |
| Pāvilosta |
3 |
4 |
| Jūrkalne Pagast |
1 |
|
| Sārnate,Užava Pagasts |
3 |
4 |
| Užava Lighthouse |
|
lighthouse |
| Gulf of Rīga seacoast |
|
|
| Kaltene and Valgalciems, Roja Pagast |
15 |
13 |
| Upesgrīva, Mērsrags Pagast |
2 |
3 |
| Abragciems, Engure Pagast |
2 |
5 |
| Engure |
5 |
14 and cemetery |
| Plieņciems |
- |
1 manufacturing plant |
| Apšuciems |
5 |
5 |
| Klapkalnciems |
- |
2 manufacturing plants |
| Ragaciems |
6 |
6 and lighthouse |
| Lapmežciems |
4 |
5 |
| Bigauņciems |
6 |
8 |
| Zvejniekciems |
1 |
3 manufacturing plants |
| Rural territory of Saulkrasti, Liepupe Pagast |
5 |
4 |
Note: *Pagasts - civil parish
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