A project to restore a natural flood retention valley where the River Oder flows through the Wołów district between the villages of Domaszków and Tarchalice in Poland's Dolnośląskie Region is helping to lower the risk of flooding. Existing embankments have been moved away from the river, allowing floodwaters to inundate the 599 hectare floodplain, thereby bringing back its natural environment, habitats and biodiversity.
Cutting flood risk and restoring biodiversity in Domaszków-Tarchalice
- 01 December 2015
The project represents an innovative approach to flood protection and improvement of the environment. These activities also allow the restoration of habitats in the valley of the River Oder, by reconstituting the natural character of flooding as a result of the restoration possibility of occurrence of flood waters on the former floodplain. This is crucial for the proper functioning of the area of Natura 2000 Łegi Odrzanskie, to improve flood protection by removing the current contraction for the flow of the great flood waters and also to reduce the risk of discontinuation embankments and flooding of the adjacent villages.
The existing forest management system has been adjusted to fit the requirements of flooding patterns so as to create a natural flood water retention area. The topography of the area allows it to be flooded and drained naturally without the need for any technical modifications.
Embankment replacement is an alternative approach to conventional flood control plans such as reservoir construction and the new embankment is over six km in length. As a result of the project, peak flows of floods should decrease which will protect an area of 1605 hectares and its 427 inhabitants.
Local community involvement and increased ecological awareness
The project has generated social benefits in the form of local community involvement in the decision-making process and increased awareness of the natural value of the Oder floodplains. It also provides a good basis for educational activities, while other benefits include reductions in costs arising from flooding downstream.
Reconnecting floodplains to rivers prevents degradation of wetland habitats and biodiversity loss. The section of the Oder Valley covered by the project is well known for its large riparian forests which contain many species of flora and fauna. It is also part of the Łęgi Odrzańskie Natura 2000 site and the work carried out by the project is crucial in protecting this conservation area’s natural functions.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Domaszkow-Tarchalice – restoration of natural flood retention valley of the River Oder – Wolow district” is EUR 4 791 108, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 3 680 219 from the Operational Programme “Infrastructure and Environment” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.