Water management in the Vistula delta (Poland)

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Water management in the Vistula delta (Poland)

Journal Title: Meteorology Hydrology and Water Management Research and Operational Applications - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 1

Abstract

This paper presents past and recent water management in the area called the Vistula Delta Fens (Zulawy Fens). This area (56 x 56 km) is located at the outlet of the Vistula River to the Baltic Sea, at the shore of the Gulf of Gdansk. A large part of the area (30%) is located below sea level as potentially submerged depressions. A multitude of rivers, channels, ditches and pumping stations have been constructed here during several centuries. The area is characterized by highly productive alluvial soils, surface water with a high potential for fish-farming and fishery, and attractive tourist areas at the banks of the rivers and channels. Historically, floods have occurred repeatedly as a result of: (i) – breaks in the dams along of big rivers, e.g. after heavy rains and high water levels (in summer); (ii) – dam breaks caused by accumulation of ice-cakes in winter or during spring times; (iii) – dam breaks after storms on the sea with increasing sea water levels at the river outlets (mainly in winter); (iv) – overflow of water into flat land after heavy rains followed by slow drainage of water from the fields, ditches, channels and pumping stations (in summer); (v) – overflow of water into depressions and swamps below sea level after interruptions of, or decreases in, the pump operations at the pumping stations.

Authors and Affiliations

Piotr Jan Kowalik

EP ID EP572948
DOI 10.26491/mhwm/63004
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