Racibórz Dolny Reservoir – No Longer Dry!

Racibórz Dolny Reservoir – No Longer Dry! Over a century of planning and conceptual transformations has culminated in the construction of the Racibórz Dolny Reservoir, a strategic flood control investment in the Silesian Voivodeship. It’s a key element in flood protection for the Oder Valley from Racibórz to Wrocław. This morning, a decision was made to begin impounding floodwaters in the reservoir.

Why was the Racibórz Dolny Reservoir created?

The history of the Racibórz Dolny Reservoir dates back to 1880, when, following a catastrophic flood, discussions began on the need for such infrastructure. Initial projects from the 1960s envisioned enormous capacities from 290 million m³ to 695 million m³, but their implementation proved financially unfeasible. It wasn’t until the 1970s, after revising the plans, that a new approach was developed, incorporating phased construction and reclamation of areas used for aggregate extraction.

The primary goal of constructing this dry flood control reservoir on the Oder was to provide flood protection for over 1.3 million people residing in the Lower Silesian, Opole, and Silesian voivodeships. This project was a direct response to the serious threats posed by the 1997 floods.

The reservoir, with a capacity of 185 million m³, covers an area of 26 km², and its dams have a total length of over 20 km. It is a dry flood control reservoir, meaning its main task is the temporary storage of excess water during periods of increased flood risk, rather than permanent retention. In such facilities, during non-flood periods, water naturally flows through the outlets and basin. When the water level at the dam exceeds the maximum capacity of the discharge devices, the water then accumulates in the reservoir.

The first phase of construction was the realization of the “Buków” polder, completed in 2001. This polder, with a maximum capacity of 50 million m³, proved its value in 2010 when it intercepted over 50 million m³ of floodwaters, significantly reducing the scale of the flood wave. This action effectively reduced the threat to the region, demonstrating the efficiency and necessity of further investments in flood control infrastructure.

Racibórz Dolny Begins Impounding

The Racibórz Dolny flood control reservoir on the Oder river began impounding floodwaters today around 4:20 AM, flattening the incoming flood wave. The decision to activate the reservoir was made by the management team, in accordance with the Water Management Instruction. As reported by Polish Waters, the gates of the overflow-spillway structure were lowered when the water level at the water gauge station in Krzyżanowice in the Upper Oder catchment reached about 690 cm with a flow of approximately 750 m³/s.

Before impounding began, a series of preparatory actions were carried out, including the closure of the outlet to the Urban Oder and a check of the proper functioning of all reservoir components, including pumps. Yesterday, entities involved in aggregate extraction, fishermen, and other users were also informed of the need to vacate the reservoir basin. The impounding initiation was triggered after analyzing the hydrological situation in the Oder catchment in Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as hydro-meteorological forecasts, which indicated a risk of flooding to infrastructure and residential buildings located below the reservoir. Yesterday, the Buków polder located above Racibórz Dolny also began impounding. The flood capacity of the polder is 57 million m³.

In the coming hours, it will be determined whether the investment worth approx. PLN 2 billion meets expectations. The Racibórz Dolny Reservoir is tasked with reducing the height of the flood wave by capturing its peak, to achieve the effect of spreading it over time. The wave should therefore reach the mouth of the Nysa Kłodzka later, which may prevent the overlapping of two flood waves.

Following the announcement of the impoundment at the reservoir, the site has become a destination for today’s excursions. Meanwhile, Polish Waters appeals for safety and recommends staying away from rivers and hydraulic structures, including embankments and reservoirs. Such behavior can pose a serious risk and hinder the work of rescue and technical services. Let’s maintain a safe distance – this is not an attraction, it is a force of nature!

Main photo: Wody Polskie