Bridging the gap between water managers and research communities in a transboundary river: Nutrient transport and monitoring regimes in the Drim/Drini Catchment Stig A. Borgvang, Dusko Mukaetov, John Rune Selvik, Spase Shumka, Eva Skarbvik, Per G. Stlnacke, and Nils H. Vagstad Research Under- standing Ideas Science Reliable data Implement measures Problem Management Bridging the gap The Drim/Drini: A unique catchment Transboundary Drainage area 18,518 km 2 Has three large lakes, Prespa, Ohrid and Skadar Albania Serbia Kosovo Greece Macedonia Monte -negro DRIMPOL objectives Compile and analyse existing data on water quality and nutrient sources in the catchment Generate nutrient load budgets for the catchment, with special focus on the lakes Ohrid and Prespa Assess the need for future abatement plans Quantify the amount of pollution load into the Drim/Drini catchment system, with particular regard to nutrient loads. Data used: 23 stations throughout the catchment: River and lake water quality; Waterflow Entire Drim/Drini: Nitrate concentrations Agriculture Entire Drim/Drini: Orthophosphate concentrations Sewage problem Management challenges Few long time-series (generally only 2-7 years) Low sampling frequency (4-6 times/yr) Time series with varying time span Crucial parameters not in standard monitoring programmes (e.g., total phosphorus) Different parameters analysed in the two countries (e.g., no tot-P in Albania) TEOTIL Tool for estimating nutrient loads Source related From research to management DRIMPOL Load estimates t N t P Should be adjusted as new information is obtained! Need reliable data for setting environmental goals Environmental goals are useful management tools Recommendations More targeted sampling strategies Co-operation across borders highly adviseable Harmonise parameters and monitoring strategies Long-term commitments needed