6 Natural and Anthropogenic Lakes of River Valleys
109
the nineteenth century until 2010 (the Schroetter’s map from the nineteenth century,
Karte des Deutschen Reiches from the beginning of the twentieth century and a
contemporary map from the beginning of the twenty-first century).
6.7 Summary
The lakes of the river valleys are very diverse reservoirs. High variability of morphometric, hydrochemical and hydrobiological as well as ecological and landscape
parameters make them attractive. Moreover, they are young reservoirs subject to
dynamic processes of disappearance. Although they are a very numerous group of
lakes, their degree of recognition is relatively low. The small area and capacity of
the basins are conducive to anthropogenic transformations. They are often backfilled, their shore zone is destroyed, and they are often the receivers of waste. Some
floodplain lakes (both natural and anthropogenic ones) are used for recreation as
swimming pools, fishing grounds, canoeing routes. Due to their natural values (often
unique), they also have significant educational potential. The floodplain lakes allow
to preserve the diversity of habitats and constitute habitats of fauna and aquatic flora.
Bearing in mind the general values of floodplain lakes, active forms of lake protection
and lake restoration projects can be found more often.
6.8 Recommendations
A complex mechanism of the functioning of floodplain lakes (limnophase and
potamophase) and their specific environmental role (in terms of hydrochemistry
and hydrobiology) require particular approach when management practices are
concerned. Due to a high susceptibility of floodplain lakes on human pressure, both
quantitative and qualitative protection activities are highly recommended.
In terms of quantitative issues, natural or quasi-natural type of water alimentation should be maintained. It is visible in a consistency occurrence of both periods
and paths of water alimentation with a natural relation between floodplain lake and
the river. In practice it means that both long-lasting potamophases or long-lasting
limnophases may be observed. It often brings about high variability of water stages
dynamic during the functional periods. Thus, water budget which is typical for
a particular floodplain lake should be established by implicating duration of both
potamophases and limnophases of the water body in question.
Qualitative approach to floodplain lakes should be focused on maintaining both
typical for particular lake ionic composition and natural hydrobiological conditions
of its water. It may be achieved by controlled water input from the river during the
limnophase period, using drains, pipes or ditches.
Moreover a quality of the lake’s catchment environment should be recognized. It
is important in terms of influencing lake water quality during the limnophase period.
109
the nineteenth century until 2010 (the Schroetter’s map from the nineteenth century,
Karte des Deutschen Reiches from the beginning of the twentieth century and a
contemporary map from the beginning of the twenty-first century).
6.7 Summary
The lakes of the river valleys are very diverse reservoirs. High variability of morphometric, hydrochemical and hydrobiological as well as ecological and landscape
parameters make them attractive. Moreover, they are young reservoirs subject to
dynamic processes of disappearance. Although they are a very numerous group of
lakes, their degree of recognition is relatively low. The small area and capacity of
the basins are conducive to anthropogenic transformations. They are often backfilled, their shore zone is destroyed, and they are often the receivers of waste. Some
floodplain lakes (both natural and anthropogenic ones) are used for recreation as
swimming pools, fishing grounds, canoeing routes. Due to their natural values (often
unique), they also have significant educational potential. The floodplain lakes allow
to preserve the diversity of habitats and constitute habitats of fauna and aquatic flora.
Bearing in mind the general values of floodplain lakes, active forms of lake protection
and lake restoration projects can be found more often.
6.8 Recommendations
A complex mechanism of the functioning of floodplain lakes (limnophase and
potamophase) and their specific environmental role (in terms of hydrochemistry
and hydrobiology) require particular approach when management practices are
concerned. Due to a high susceptibility of floodplain lakes on human pressure, both
quantitative and qualitative protection activities are highly recommended.
In terms of quantitative issues, natural or quasi-natural type of water alimentation should be maintained. It is visible in a consistency occurrence of both periods
and paths of water alimentation with a natural relation between floodplain lake and
the river. In practice it means that both long-lasting potamophases or long-lasting
limnophases may be observed. It often brings about high variability of water stages
dynamic during the functional periods. Thus, water budget which is typical for
a particular floodplain lake should be established by implicating duration of both
potamophases and limnophases of the water body in question.
Qualitative approach to floodplain lakes should be focused on maintaining both
typical for particular lake ionic composition and natural hydrobiological conditions
of its water. It may be achieved by controlled water input from the river during the
limnophase period, using drains, pipes or ditches.
Moreover a quality of the lake’s catchment environment should be recognized. It
is important in terms of influencing lake water quality during the limnophase period.