13 Flood Marks in Poland and Their Significance in Water …
263
Catastrophic floods, just as armed conflicts often constituted major events in the
history of settlements on the Polish lands, in some cases being the very turning points
for their existence. Often they resulted in an economical stagnation and depopulation,
while in other cases they led to specific planning and technological actions aiming at
lowering the damaging potential of the future occurrences. This refers especially to
cities, where a large number of historical high watermarks can be found. For example,
the largest (documented by three high watermarks) flood in Gdansk occurred in 1829,
when water spread over 75% of the city, leaving 12,000 of its inhabitants without
shelter. The so-called “flood of the millennium” which is particularly remembered
by the citizens of Wroclaw (over a dozen of high watermarks) had 40% of the city
area flooded. The largest known flood of Brda River in Bydgoszcz occurred in 1888
and was marked by four high water marks [15] when due to an ice jam on Vistula
River, the backflow of Brda spread on the area nearly 20 km from the estuary. The
maximum levels of floods had also been recorded in smaller cities. In 1979, a snowmelt flood on Narew River flooded 50% of Pułtusk (two high water marks) A similar
event occurred there in 1958 (four high water marks). In January of 1982, an ice
jam near Włoclawek Reservoir led to the largest flood in the history of Płock. The
reservoir, created in 1970 has since then been recognized as one of the places most
vulnerable to ice jams in Poland. The 1982 flood led to significant changes in the
approach to ice-breaking on the whole lower reaches of Vistula.
An interesting story written in high water marks can be found inside the St.
Stanislaw Church in ´
Swiecie, where the increase in the frequency of floods in nineteenth century led this medieval city located at the Wda-Vistula estuary to be relocated
to higher grounds [20].
13.5 Factors Threatening the Preservation of Flood Marks
It can be assumed that a large number of high watermarks was destroyed during
the WWII – not only within the premises of large cities such as Warsaw, Wroclaw,
Opole, Gdansk or Szczecin but also in dozens of smaller localities where warfare
led to the damage or destruction of a large number of buildings. We also know that
upon regaining Polish independence, a significant number of high watermarks was
removed only because they contained inscriptions made in German.
Despite the more favourable and stable conditions of modern times, the risk to the
existence of the high watermarks remains high. Unfortunately, theft and devastation
are the main contributors to this situation. Particularly exposed to such threats are
the marks placed in secluded areas, distant from public locations. Other potential
problems are the repairs and improvements (painting, plastering, thermo-isolation,
expansions, etc.) of the structures on which the marks were placed. During such
procedures, the marks are often removed and often placed back incorrectly or not at
all once the works have concluded. Many contractors are unaware of the fundamental
importance of the placement of the mark. It is worth mentioning that according to
the current conservation laws, even the 300-year-old flood marks are not subject to
263
Catastrophic floods, just as armed conflicts often constituted major events in the
history of settlements on the Polish lands, in some cases being the very turning points
for their existence. Often they resulted in an economical stagnation and depopulation,
while in other cases they led to specific planning and technological actions aiming at
lowering the damaging potential of the future occurrences. This refers especially to
cities, where a large number of historical high watermarks can be found. For example,
the largest (documented by three high watermarks) flood in Gdansk occurred in 1829,
when water spread over 75% of the city, leaving 12,000 of its inhabitants without
shelter. The so-called “flood of the millennium” which is particularly remembered
by the citizens of Wroclaw (over a dozen of high watermarks) had 40% of the city
area flooded. The largest known flood of Brda River in Bydgoszcz occurred in 1888
and was marked by four high water marks [15] when due to an ice jam on Vistula
River, the backflow of Brda spread on the area nearly 20 km from the estuary. The
maximum levels of floods had also been recorded in smaller cities. In 1979, a snowmelt flood on Narew River flooded 50% of Pułtusk (two high water marks) A similar
event occurred there in 1958 (four high water marks). In January of 1982, an ice
jam near Włoclawek Reservoir led to the largest flood in the history of Płock. The
reservoir, created in 1970 has since then been recognized as one of the places most
vulnerable to ice jams in Poland. The 1982 flood led to significant changes in the
approach to ice-breaking on the whole lower reaches of Vistula.
An interesting story written in high water marks can be found inside the St.
Stanislaw Church in ´
Swiecie, where the increase in the frequency of floods in nineteenth century led this medieval city located at the Wda-Vistula estuary to be relocated
to higher grounds [20].
13.5 Factors Threatening the Preservation of Flood Marks
It can be assumed that a large number of high watermarks was destroyed during
the WWII – not only within the premises of large cities such as Warsaw, Wroclaw,
Opole, Gdansk or Szczecin but also in dozens of smaller localities where warfare
led to the damage or destruction of a large number of buildings. We also know that
upon regaining Polish independence, a significant number of high watermarks was
removed only because they contained inscriptions made in German.
Despite the more favourable and stable conditions of modern times, the risk to the
existence of the high watermarks remains high. Unfortunately, theft and devastation
are the main contributors to this situation. Particularly exposed to such threats are
the marks placed in secluded areas, distant from public locations. Other potential
problems are the repairs and improvements (painting, plastering, thermo-isolation,
expansions, etc.) of the structures on which the marks were placed. During such
procedures, the marks are often removed and often placed back incorrectly or not at
all once the works have concluded. Many contractors are unaware of the fundamental
importance of the placement of the mark. It is worth mentioning that according to
the current conservation laws, even the 300-year-old flood marks are not subject to