1 Introduction to the “Management of Water Resources in Poland”
9
The next chapter of the “Flood Potential of Polish Rivers” presents the spatial
diversity of the flood potential indicator on Polish territory. This measure can also
be applied to other geographical areas and can be a useful measure to compare,
for example, EU countries. In the case of Poland, the flood potential indicator map
was used to prepare flood risk management plans for the Vistula. It was shown that
floods generated in the Carpathian Mountains spread in the middle course of the
Vistula. This means that the middle course of the Vistula can spread floods of a
magnitude characteristic for mountain tributaries. To obtain consistent results, it is
recommended to use a common maximum flow record length for all hydrological
meters analyzed. The presented method of calculating the flood indicator can be used
to draw up flood risk management plans. The indicator quantifies the catchment’s
potential to achieve maximum flow at flood peak.
“Flood Risk Management System in Poland” is discussed in the next chapter.
The key element of flood risk management in Poland is determining the distribution
and level of aggregate risk in the following categories: health and life, natural environment, cultural heritage and economic activity. An effective management system
based on flood risk management strategies and plans will contribute to reducing the
negative effects of floods and will contribute to improving public safety.
The purpose of risk management is to reduce the likelihood of flood risk and loss
by introducing appropriate mechanisms and instruments. The new risk management
system in Poland, also based on non-technical methods of flood prevention, includes
initial risk assessment, preparation of flood risk maps and flood risk maps as well as
flood risk management plans. Flood risk management plans are a planning document
setting out the main objectives, including, for example, reducing the risk, reducing
vulnerability to flood in threatened areas and improving the ability to reduce flood
risk. Flood risk management strategies implemented in Poland include: “Leading
floods away from people”, “Leading people away from floods” and “Learning
how to live with a flood". Non-technical methods of reducing flood risk include:
administrative and social activities Flood risk prevention focuses on designing flood
management plans taking into account economic development and climate.
The chapter entitled “Water Management in the Pomeranian Rivers Estuary
Zone on the Background of Hydro-Meteorological Conditions” the issues of the
contact zone between sea and land. Some coastal estuaries lead directly to the sea,
while others lead to large coastal lakes, creating different hydrographic systems.
Reconstruction and construction of new levees, engineering channels and construction of flow regulation devices, strengthening of river banks, construction of retention
reservoirs, as well as increasing retention capacity of catchments will help prevent
floods. The hierarchical organisation of outflow is characteristic for the South Baltic
Lake Districts, including the Pomeranian catchment. The water cycle of Pomeranian
catchments depends more on the zonal factors, and less on local factors. The morphological contrast between the raised and diversified relief of the lake district and the
coastal plains and the range of the Baltic Sea influence are of vital importance in
shaping the climate conditions of Pomerania. Atmospheric precipitation determines
the water cycle in Pomerania. The main alimentation zone of surface and underground waters in the Pomeranian Lake District and the coastal region are highly
9
The next chapter of the “Flood Potential of Polish Rivers” presents the spatial
diversity of the flood potential indicator on Polish territory. This measure can also
be applied to other geographical areas and can be a useful measure to compare,
for example, EU countries. In the case of Poland, the flood potential indicator map
was used to prepare flood risk management plans for the Vistula. It was shown that
floods generated in the Carpathian Mountains spread in the middle course of the
Vistula. This means that the middle course of the Vistula can spread floods of a
magnitude characteristic for mountain tributaries. To obtain consistent results, it is
recommended to use a common maximum flow record length for all hydrological
meters analyzed. The presented method of calculating the flood indicator can be used
to draw up flood risk management plans. The indicator quantifies the catchment’s
potential to achieve maximum flow at flood peak.
“Flood Risk Management System in Poland” is discussed in the next chapter.
The key element of flood risk management in Poland is determining the distribution
and level of aggregate risk in the following categories: health and life, natural environment, cultural heritage and economic activity. An effective management system
based on flood risk management strategies and plans will contribute to reducing the
negative effects of floods and will contribute to improving public safety.
The purpose of risk management is to reduce the likelihood of flood risk and loss
by introducing appropriate mechanisms and instruments. The new risk management
system in Poland, also based on non-technical methods of flood prevention, includes
initial risk assessment, preparation of flood risk maps and flood risk maps as well as
flood risk management plans. Flood risk management plans are a planning document
setting out the main objectives, including, for example, reducing the risk, reducing
vulnerability to flood in threatened areas and improving the ability to reduce flood
risk. Flood risk management strategies implemented in Poland include: “Leading
floods away from people”, “Leading people away from floods” and “Learning
how to live with a flood". Non-technical methods of reducing flood risk include:
administrative and social activities Flood risk prevention focuses on designing flood
management plans taking into account economic development and climate.
The chapter entitled “Water Management in the Pomeranian Rivers Estuary
Zone on the Background of Hydro-Meteorological Conditions” the issues of the
contact zone between sea and land. Some coastal estuaries lead directly to the sea,
while others lead to large coastal lakes, creating different hydrographic systems.
Reconstruction and construction of new levees, engineering channels and construction of flow regulation devices, strengthening of river banks, construction of retention
reservoirs, as well as increasing retention capacity of catchments will help prevent
floods. The hierarchical organisation of outflow is characteristic for the South Baltic
Lake Districts, including the Pomeranian catchment. The water cycle of Pomeranian
catchments depends more on the zonal factors, and less on local factors. The morphological contrast between the raised and diversified relief of the lake district and the
coastal plains and the range of the Baltic Sea influence are of vital importance in
shaping the climate conditions of Pomerania. Atmospheric precipitation determines
the water cycle in Pomerania. The main alimentation zone of surface and underground waters in the Pomeranian Lake District and the coastal region are highly