Polski
“Safe Vistula” – a program of retention measures that is part of flood risk management in the Upper West Vistula and Upper East Vistula water regions between Krakow and Zawichost. The contract for its implementation was signed on March 31, 2023. The commissioning party for the project is Wody Polskie (RZGW Krakow). The implementation time is scheduled for 14 months.
The goal of the Program is to develop optimal strategic measures, involving the search for areas of potential retention and increased protection from flooding, with a particular focus on the Vistula River valley in the so-called “floodplain”. “Sandomierz section” i.e.. From the mouth of the Nida River to the mouth of the San River. Meanwhile, in the context of retention itself, the project will also include an important component related to drought risk analyses.
This goal can realistically be achieved by proposing a set of technical and non-technical measures, taking into account environmental issues and the all-important social acceptance. In addition, information and promotional activities will be undertaken to present the proposed activities, engage stakeholders, gain the trust of the local community and acceptance of the solutions identified for implementation.
The work of the Safe Vistula Program will result in, among other things:
- Selection of optimal flood protection solutions based on public consultation and involvement of key stakeholders;
- Conduct information and promotion activities to gain public support;
- Development of an Action Program with an environmental impact forecast.
Substantive consistency of the program with other strategic planning documents in the area of water management in Poland will be required. Accordingly, the consultant will be required to include the following projects:
- Review and update of flood hazard maps and flood risk maps;
- Development of flood hazard maps and flood risk maps (from rivers) to the extent resulting from the review and update of the preliminary flood risk assessment (under development);
- Review and update of flood risk management plans (under development);
- II update of water management plans (IIaPGW);
- drought mitigation plan;
- Development of a water shortage program for 2021 – 2027 with an outlook to 2030;
- Implementation of instruments to support the implementation of PZRP activities;
- Development of a national surface water restoration program;
- Contract 5.7.1 Program of non-technical and retention measures as part of flood risk management in the water regions of the Little Vistula and Upper Vistula (catchment area above Krakow), including protection of Krakow from flooding;
- Contract 4.b Operational Centers – Task 4.b.1/1 Modernization and implementation of IT systems supporting the operational work of the Operational Centers of Krakow and Wroclaw, together with the supply of necessary hardware and software;
- An analysis of the occurrence of the phenomenon and effects of drought in the section of the Vistula Valley between the Przewóz Water Stop and the mouth of the Raba River, together with an indication of technical mitigation measures, with particular emphasis on the construction of the Niepołomice Water Stop;
- other projects that will be prepared or developed during the program period.
The legitimacy of the Safe Vistula Program stems from, among other things. From the findings of the Team for the Development of the country. Improving flood safety in the Vistula River basin in the Sandomierz River area, established in the course of work on reviewing and updating flood risk management plans under Order No. 41/2021 of the President of the Polish Water Authority dated July 1, 2021. The Team included representatives of local government units from the Sandomierz Vistula region and the Polish Waters. One of the key conclusions and recommendations of the Team was the need to carry out a program for flood protection of the area between Krakow and Zawichost with particular attention to the problem areas identified in the aPZRP project.
Faced with such intensively used agricultural and economic areas, it will be a challenge to come up with optimal solutions that will achieve the project’s goals and satisfy the expectations of local residents.
The first Conference on the Safe Vistula Project will be held on May 23 this year. Cracow.
We invite you to follow the information on the website safernawisla.pl.
