History and the Scientific Vision of the Future of Drainage Channels in Lithuania

Abstract

During the regulation process, natural streams were converted into channels and deprived of their most original natural functions. The investigations of the last decade revealed that there were several preconditions to reconcile receiving functions of channels with the natural alterations occurring inside and outside them. The options might be as follows: (1) to leave the channels as hydraulic paths only; (2) to leave the channels operating as receivers; however, when maintaining, all changes in channels are to be left if they assist to the restoration of original functions of former streams; (3) to plant up the slopes with woody vegetation creating the shelter belts that might be included into green plantation system of fields; (4) to leave the channels for full self-naturalization.