Integration of a flood risk management and waters protection system on the example of the Warta Valley between Konin and Oborniki Cover Image

Integracja systemu zarządzania ryzykiem powodziowym i ochroną wód na przykładzie doliny Warty między Koninem a Obornikami
Integration of a flood risk management and waters protection system on the example of the Warta Valley between Konin and Oborniki

Author(s): Renata Graf, Kamil Jawgiel, Jan Łukaszewicz
Subject(s): Environmental Geography, Applied Geography
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: flood risk management; waters conservation; Warta Valley; integration conception

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the study was the analysis of the integration of a flood risk management and water protection system in a selected section of the Warta Valley with taking into consideration the guidelines of the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive. The structure of the valley is comprised within a distance of 201.1 km by stretches of: an urstromtal, between the towns of Konin and Śrem, and the Warta gorge stretch between Śrem and Oborniki. High environmental values of the valley are shown, related to the presence of conservation areas and, on the other hand, a high flood hazard risk, resulting e.g. from advancing land development in the valley and its low retention capacity. The Integrated Water Resources Management guidelines conception was used in the analysis, inlcuding pointing out the directions of relations between minimizing flood risk and protection of natural values of the Warta River and its valley. Spatial distribution of the flood hazard and risk in the Warta Valley was also analyzed. A detailed analysis covered activities of a technical and non-technical character intended to stop the growth of flood risk. In the field of water conservation, the considered objectives included: achieving and maintaining a good ecological potential of waters or the risk of failing to achieve it, which is determined by a high urbanisation ratio, draining of an open-pit lignite mine, extensive morphological change in the river bed and pollution discharged into the waters from land used for agriculture. The results proved that one of the most significant factors directly impacting the environmental condition and ecological potential of the waters is the activity related to flood risk reduction. Potential threats to the functioning of NATURA 2000 areas characterized by high natural values were also indicated.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 148
  • Page Range: 107-133
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Polish