Reservoir in Stronie Śląskie regains its protective function

On March 31, 2025, protective works on the dry flood control reservoir in Stronie Śląskie on the Morawka stream were completed. The facility regained its ability to temporarily retain water and hold back excess during potential flood waves, ensuring the safety of residents in nearby towns.

A reservoir with over a century of history

The flood control reservoir in Stronie Śląskie was built in 1907 on the Morawka stream, a left-bank tributary of the Biała Lądecka. Its main function is to protect downstream towns – Stronie Śląskie, Lądek-Zdrój, Radochów and Ołdrzychowice Kłodzkie – from flooding. The dam closes a catchment area of 53.46 km². The facility consists of a 500-meter-long stone dam, bottom and middle outlets, and a surface spillway.

In September 2024, the reservoir was damaged during a flood, when a wave with a flow rate of 320 m³/s – four times its design capacity (70–80 m³/s) – caused erosion of the earth dam. The investment was necessary to restore its protective function.

Works completed ahead of schedule

Construction works were completed ahead of the scheduled date, which had been set for June 1, 2025. The investment was carried out based on the decision of the Chief Inspector of Building Control dated January 13, 2025. As emphasized by the Vice-President of Wody Polskie, Mateusz Balcerowicz, the primary goal of the project was to ensure the safety of residents in Stronie Śląskie, Lądek-Zdrój, Radochów and Ołdrzychowice Kłodzkie.

Scope of completed works

The scope of the works included the construction of a stone-concrete cofferdam using a rockfill with concrete pouring. The final stage of concreting was completed on March 31. Simultaneously, protective measures were carried out on the left-bank part of the earth dam and the downstream section of the dam against potential erosion from floodwaters. In the near future, the contractor will conduct clean-up works in the area of the dam and in the Morawka streambed below the reservoir. Sowing of the left-bank embankment is also planned.

Plans for reservoir reconstruction

There are plans to build a modern, technologically advanced structure in place of the existing infrastructure. The reconstruction is part of the Flood Risk Reduction Program for the Nysa Kłodzka catchment area, which is currently in the stage of public consultation and will later be submitted for approval by the Council of Ministers.

main photo: Jacek Halicki / Wikimedia