8
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka et al.
than in the Oder, and the differences were most noticeable in the 1960s and 1970s.
In recent years their importance has been decreasing.
The chapter entitled “Low-Flows in Polish Rivers” discusses the spatial, seasonal
and long-term variability of low flows in Poland in the years 1951–2015. The progression dynamics of low flow episodes are characterized by high seasonal and long-term
variability. Its basis is determined by the strong diversity of hydrometeorological
conditions generating individual episodes and the modification of the role of anthropogenic and physiographic factors (mainly hydrogeological conditions and lakes).
Long-term trends of selected features of low flows, such as: minimum flows, duration of low flows and intervals between low flows, covered only a part of the studied
catchments and seem to be caused by natural and anthropogenic factors. The assessment of the likelihood of occurrence of maximum low flow episodes allowed to
indicate areas with a high risk of water shortage dangerous for water ecosystems
and water management operations. The analysis of selected features of extreme low
flow events has identified a group of determinants that should be taken into account
when planning the local exploitation of water resources, as well as in long-term water
management strategies nationwide.
The next chapter is entitled “Dynamics, Range, and Severity of Hydrological
Drought in Poland”. The study shows that the use of low flows as indicators of the
development of hydrological drought seems promising. The adopted identification
and separation criteria allowed for clear isolation of mild and severe hydrological
droughts in Poland in 1985–2014. The transformation of parameters describing the
duration and relative deficit of the stream flow and the share of the catchment in
the entire study area enabled the assessment of hydrological droughts in terms of
their duration, severity and range. It also made it possible to indicate periods of
varying intensity of the assessed parameters. Assessment of seasonal and long-term
variability, as well as analysis of genetic relationships between selected hydrological
drought estimators, provided new and valuable cognitive information and allowed
to identify a group of factors determining drought development. The analysis proves
that both the date of seasonal concentration and the intensity of hydrological drought
in Poland show significant and multidirectional variability.
The rest of the work presents a chapter entitled “Flood Marks in Poland and
Their Significance in Water Management and Flood Safety Education”. This
chapter provides an overview of floods registered in Poland. They are treated here
as an important source of hydrological information to study the extent and effects of
the most catastrophic floods in history. In many cases, these objects provide the only
objective information about these events. Both typical and unique flood markings in
Poland were discussed, including the place and method of their installation in river
valleys. Particular attention was paid to research projects aimed at creating a nationwide database available to all Internet users and updated with their participation. This
is a new approach that allows more effective search for such objects in the field and
their full inventory and archiving. The paper pointed out that flood markings should
play an important role in flood education. Especially for communities living in flood
plains that are threatened by floods.
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka et al.
than in the Oder, and the differences were most noticeable in the 1960s and 1970s.
In recent years their importance has been decreasing.
The chapter entitled “Low-Flows in Polish Rivers” discusses the spatial, seasonal
and long-term variability of low flows in Poland in the years 1951–2015. The progression dynamics of low flow episodes are characterized by high seasonal and long-term
variability. Its basis is determined by the strong diversity of hydrometeorological
conditions generating individual episodes and the modification of the role of anthropogenic and physiographic factors (mainly hydrogeological conditions and lakes).
Long-term trends of selected features of low flows, such as: minimum flows, duration of low flows and intervals between low flows, covered only a part of the studied
catchments and seem to be caused by natural and anthropogenic factors. The assessment of the likelihood of occurrence of maximum low flow episodes allowed to
indicate areas with a high risk of water shortage dangerous for water ecosystems
and water management operations. The analysis of selected features of extreme low
flow events has identified a group of determinants that should be taken into account
when planning the local exploitation of water resources, as well as in long-term water
management strategies nationwide.
The next chapter is entitled “Dynamics, Range, and Severity of Hydrological
Drought in Poland”. The study shows that the use of low flows as indicators of the
development of hydrological drought seems promising. The adopted identification
and separation criteria allowed for clear isolation of mild and severe hydrological
droughts in Poland in 1985–2014. The transformation of parameters describing the
duration and relative deficit of the stream flow and the share of the catchment in
the entire study area enabled the assessment of hydrological droughts in terms of
their duration, severity and range. It also made it possible to indicate periods of
varying intensity of the assessed parameters. Assessment of seasonal and long-term
variability, as well as analysis of genetic relationships between selected hydrological
drought estimators, provided new and valuable cognitive information and allowed
to identify a group of factors determining drought development. The analysis proves
that both the date of seasonal concentration and the intensity of hydrological drought
in Poland show significant and multidirectional variability.
The rest of the work presents a chapter entitled “Flood Marks in Poland and
Their Significance in Water Management and Flood Safety Education”. This
chapter provides an overview of floods registered in Poland. They are treated here
as an important source of hydrological information to study the extent and effects of
the most catastrophic floods in history. In many cases, these objects provide the only
objective information about these events. Both typical and unique flood markings in
Poland were discussed, including the place and method of their installation in river
valleys. Particular attention was paid to research projects aimed at creating a nationwide database available to all Internet users and updated with their participation. This
is a new approach that allows more effective search for such objects in the field and
their full inventory and archiving. The paper pointed out that flood markings should
play an important role in flood education. Especially for communities living in flood
plains that are threatened by floods.