Restoration of rivers in Poland Examples, possible obstacles
Main purposes for river restoration projects To be in compliance with Water Framework Directive Good Environmental Status and Floods Directive; To serve the purpose of nature protection under Habitats directive (many projecs carried out in Natura 2000 areas); Protection of species included into Habitats directive (e.g. river lamprey); Protection of migratory fish species such as salmon and sea trout.
Examples of river restorations projects
Project LIFE13 NAT/PL/000009 LIFEDrawaPL - ongoing Protection of natural habitats of Ranunculion fluitantis and ensuring migration corridors in the catchment area of the Drawa river
Aims of the project Aim 1: Restoration and protection of Ranunculion fluitantis habitats in 5 areas of Natura2000 (under habitats directive) Aim 2: reintroduction of Groenlandia densa in the rivers Radew, Grabowa and Korytnica (Drawa catchment area); Aim 3: improving natural breeding success of river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), bullhead (Cottus gobio), salmon (Salmo salar) and spined loach (Cobitis taenia). Aim 4: public awareness rising regarding ecosystem services and sustainable development around Ranunculion fluitantis rivers.
Images of the Drawa river
Preparing material for restoration Groenlandia densa
The Upper Raba river spawning grounds Project carried out during the years 2012-2016 Budget 4845871,81 PLN Coo financing: by Polish Swiss cooperation programme for the new EU countries (90%). Restoration of the natural substrate of the river and its tributaries; Mitigation of hindrances; Restoration and protection of floodplains; Limiting the water temperatures in summer to maintain survival of typical aquatic organisms. Ab Ovo association
The Raba river
Rebuiding a water hindrance (Raba river tributary) Kszczonów 2014
Maintenance works - adding gravel
Biological interventions Reintroducing aquatic plants Potamogeton crispus, the curled pondweed, and Potamogeton pusillus a small pondweed, the Raba river
Biological interventions Restoration of natural coastal vegetation the Raba river - Lubien
Possible technical and biological interventions in maintaining mountain rivers Contents of the guidelines (supporting the implementation of National legislation as well as WFD and Floods Directive in Poland): Comprehensive document about the restoration and maintenance of the rivers including: Planning, Monitoring of the status, Measurements, Maintenance works, Restoration works, Improvement of the ecological status of waters, Maps of natural values and maps of flooding risks;
Protection of natural spawning of salmon and sea trout Słupia river tributary (from 2004)
Protection of natural spawning of salmon and sea trout the Słupia river The Słupia river: Building of spawning ground Młynski channel mouth Słupsk city
Protection of natural spawning of salmon and sea trout the Słupia river tributary Restoration of Kwacza river The aim of the project was to restore relevant conditions for fish spawning (gravel and stones) as well as relevant conditions for fry breeding in the river. For restoration 2,4 km section of the Kwacza river was chosen. It flows through the area of the landscape park "Dolina Słupi". Within restoration activities: Shallow and light areas where aquatic plants can grow (natural feeding site for sea trout and salmon) were created; Deeper sites were made, where older fish can stay; In a water flow some stones and trunks were added to create hidings; The water flow was differentiated.
Biała Tarnowska river ensuring migration corridor European Regional Development Fund (WWF, Institute for Nature Protection PAS and Regional Water Management Authority in Cracow) value of the project 18 728 717,00 PLN
Aims of the project Modernisation of migration barriers Kaclowa, Grybów, Ciężkowice, Pleśna; Establishment of a migration corridor; Re-introduction of salmon; Restoration of natural forest in the river valley; Restoration of reptile populations continuity; Recolonisation of mussels and ensuring integrity of their populations; Public awareness rising actions.
The Biała Tarnowska river
Grybow barrage removal
Kąclowa removal of a barrage
Biological interventions reintroduction of salmon
The upper San river Restoration of spawning grounds for spawning of Bullhead Cottus gobio, Cottus gobio microcephalus and common barbel Barbus barbus as well as other fish species present in the San river in the NATURA 2000 site Dorzecze Górnego Sanu (PLH180021)".
Restoration of spawning grounds the San river Restoration has been carried out on 6-15 of October 2014 by adding gravel to improve living conditions of many fish species. Natural transport of rubble has been stopped in certain places after building dam in Solina-Myczkowice. Total Cost: 509 000 PLN
Modernisation of a weir at the San river Przemyśl (weir needed to keep the access to drinking water) Project financed under priority 3 of EFF (2007-2013) EU contribution: 14 325 543,00 PLN National contribution: 4 775 181,00 PLN Before After
Possible obstacles for river restoration in Poland Lack of know how (mistakes in constructions of e.g. fish passes appear ), also raising awareness concerning benefits from river restoration needed; Different priorities (economic development inland navigation routes); Little coordination at central level.
Development of inland navigation routes until 2030 The Odra river The Vistula river
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