Chapter 7
Studies on, the Use and Protection
of Springs in Poland
Paweł Jokiel and Zdzisław Michalczyk
Abstract Springs, defined as the points of a concentrated, spontaneous outflow of
ground water to the land surface, are unique hydrographic objects connecting the
underground and surface phases of water circulation. A symbol of purity and good
quality of water, the origins of rivers and streams, in many a culture, springs are
understood as a specific beginning of things and the places of enormous power to
live and spiritual power. There is no doubt that the springs are phenomena of great
importance to nature, science, landscape, culture, and economy. Nearly from the
beginning of their existence, they have been subject to increasing human pressure,
usually connected with man’s inconsiderate actions in a natural environment. This
study, which is based on the author’s research, field observation and available literature, describes the various ways of the perception, use, and protection of springs in
many locations in Poland and various cultures and social groups. Special attention
has been paid to the role of springs in the natural system and culture, and their importance in local water management. These analyses and assessments were based on a
wealth of crenological literature. Some of the urgently required protective or preventive actions, intended to preserve the springs of Poland in the appropriate condition,
have also been indicated.
Keywords Springs · Protection · Preventive · Natural system · Poland
P. Jokiel (B)
Department of Hydrology and Water Management, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University
of Łod´ z, Narutowicza 88, 90-131 Łód´ z, Poland
e-mail: pawel.jokiel@geo.uni.lodz.pl
Z. Michalczyk
Department of Hydrology, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, University of
Marie Curie-Skłodowska, Aleja Kra´ snicka 2cd, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
e-mail: zdzislaw.michalczyk@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Zeleˇ náková et al. (eds.), Management of Water Resources in Poland, Springer Water,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61965-7_7
113
Studies on, the Use and Protection
of Springs in Poland
Paweł Jokiel and Zdzisław Michalczyk
Abstract Springs, defined as the points of a concentrated, spontaneous outflow of
ground water to the land surface, are unique hydrographic objects connecting the
underground and surface phases of water circulation. A symbol of purity and good
quality of water, the origins of rivers and streams, in many a culture, springs are
understood as a specific beginning of things and the places of enormous power to
live and spiritual power. There is no doubt that the springs are phenomena of great
importance to nature, science, landscape, culture, and economy. Nearly from the
beginning of their existence, they have been subject to increasing human pressure,
usually connected with man’s inconsiderate actions in a natural environment. This
study, which is based on the author’s research, field observation and available literature, describes the various ways of the perception, use, and protection of springs in
many locations in Poland and various cultures and social groups. Special attention
has been paid to the role of springs in the natural system and culture, and their importance in local water management. These analyses and assessments were based on a
wealth of crenological literature. Some of the urgently required protective or preventive actions, intended to preserve the springs of Poland in the appropriate condition,
have also been indicated.
Keywords Springs · Protection · Preventive · Natural system · Poland
P. Jokiel (B)
Department of Hydrology and Water Management, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University
of Łod´ z, Narutowicza 88, 90-131 Łód´ z, Poland
e-mail: pawel.jokiel@geo.uni.lodz.pl
Z. Michalczyk
Department of Hydrology, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, University of
Marie Curie-Skłodowska, Aleja Kra´ snicka 2cd, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
e-mail: zdzislaw.michalczyk@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Zeleˇ náková et al. (eds.), Management of Water Resources in Poland, Springer Water,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61965-7_7
113