for task 1a

FINAL REPORTFOR TASK 1A.3

RESTORING NATURAL VALUES OFLOWER ODRA VALLEY

BY IMPROVING RETENTION AND FLOOD PROTECTION CAPACITIES OFMIĘDZYODRZE

State Water Holding Polish Water, Catchment Management Board in SzczecinTeofila Firlika 19, 71-637 Szczecin

ODRA AND VISTULA FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT

Task 5.3 .: Design and Construction Supervision for works, Project Management,Technical Assistance and Training Technical Support for the Project and

Strengthening of PIU’s Institutional Capacity.

prepared by:

JOINT VENTURE

Consortium LeaderSweco Consulting Sp. z o. o.

ul. Franklin Roosevelt 2260-829 Poznań

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Dictionary of abbreviation

NO. ABBREVIATION NAME

1Consultant,Engineer,ConsultantEngineer, IK

Joint Venture (JV) consists of:Sweco Consulting Sp. z o. o. - JV LeaderSweco Engineering Sp. z o. o. - JV PartnerEkocentrum - Wrocławski Ośrodek Usług Ekologiczne Sp. z o. o. - JV subcontractorconsultant

2 FRMP Flood Risk Management Plan3 GHG Greenhouse gas4 HOLSC Head Office of Land Surveying and Cartography5 IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development6 IMGW-PIB Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute7 JCWP Water body - a basic water management unit under Polish water law, in accordance with

the Water Framework Directive8 JV Joint Venture9 KZGW National Water Management Authority10 M.P. Monitor Polski (Official Journal issued by the Prime Minister for official announcement of

internally binding legal acts issued by supreme state authorities)11 NGO Non-government organization12 DMT Digital Terrain Model13 NN Normal-Null - sea level set for Amsterdam14 OVFMP Odra and Vistula Flood Management Project15 PRDBA Polish Red Data Book of Animals16 PCU Project Coordination Unit17 PP Procurement Plan18 Project Odra and Vistula Flood Management Project19 SWHPW ZZ

Szczecin, theOrdering Party, theClient

State Water Holding Polish Water, Catchment Management Board in Szczecin

20 Task / Contract1A.1

Chlewice-Porzecze. Backwater embankment of the Odra River at the Myśli River andModernization of the Marwicki polder stage I and II

21Task / Contract1A.2

Flood protection of Ognica village on Odra River. Osinów-Łubnica. Modernization ofinter-embankment. Flood protection of Radziszewo and Daleszewo villages on OdraRiver at 726+400÷727+960 km. Modernization of Marwicki polder - stage I and II.Modernization of pump station.

22 Task / Contract1A.3

Restoring natural values of Lower Odra Valley by improving retention and floodprotection capacities of Międzyodrze

23Task / Contract 5.3

Design and Construction Supervision for works. Project management, technicalassistance and support for project implementation units in the scope of implementationof the Odra and Vistula River Basin Flood Protection Project

24 WB The World Bank

Dictionary of terms

NO. TERM NAME

1 Alluvial soils Soils resulting from river, lake or sea alluvium

2 Backwater A rise in the water table flowing that progresses upstream of a watercourse as a result ofrising water levels in the final tank into which the water flows - e.g. in the sea, lake or riverreceiving the inflow;

The branch of the river or its former channel still containing water and forming a shallowlake

3 Bathymetry Department of hydrology dealing with depth measurements of water courses and waterbodies

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NO. TERM NAME

4 Biocenose Interdependent group of living organisms living in a given natural habitat

5 Biotype The inanimate part of the ecosystem that constitutes the living space of living organisms

6 Chiroptera All the bats living in the given area, habitat

7 Decession Increased process of humification and mineralization of organic components of hydrogenicsoils, constituting the process of moorshification and occurring in conditions of reduced orinterrupted hydration

8 Dredging Mechanical removal of bottom sediment from water bodies or water courses

9 Ecologicalsuccession

Directed, extended in the time, process of replacing one plant community by another in agiven place, related to the mutual interaction of species (biological competition) and theirmodifying impact on the abiotic environment (abiotic factors)

10 Ecotone An ecosystem that is a transition zone between at least two ecosystems

11 Entomofauna Insects occurring in a given geographical area or habitat

12 Eutrophic waters Freshwater, characterized by a high concentration of water-soluble nutrients, which resultsin a strong development of biological life with a simultaneous decrease in the amount ofoxygen in the water and a reduction in mineralisation processes.

13 Flood wave Transient hydrological phenomenon arising in natural water courses, water reservoirs,channels or at sea as a result of sudden runoff of large rainwater or melt water masses, thewater mass creates a high level of the water level in the shape of an embankment movingalong the watercourse, creating a potential flood risk

14 Fluviogenic peatbog

A type of low moor in which water stagnating in the ground originates from periodicflooding of river waters, and to some extent also from surface runoff

15 Herpetofauna All of the amphibians and reptiles occurring in the given area

16 Humification Processes of transformation of soil organic matter based on partial decomposition ofprimary organic compounds (e.g. plant remains) and secondary synthesis.

17 Hydrograph Graph showing variation in flow time (m³/s)

18 Ichthyofauna All fish species occurring at a given geological time in a given water body

19 Macrobenthos They are benthic animals (living at the bottom of water bodies) bigger than 1 mm (retainedon a sieve with a mesh size of 1 mm). In general, macrobenthos include freshwateroligochaete, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and freshwater molluscs.

20 Malacofauna Molluscs - a type of animal, the second most numerous after arthropoda, covering about130,000 living species

21 Mesoregion A unit of physical-geographical division of space, covering a larger area with similarenvironmental and landscape features

22 Mire Type of wetlands, the final stage of overgrowing of the lake, with a occurring plant blanketon the surface of the overgrown lake, under which there are residual water or semi-liquidlake sediments

23 Molinietumcaeruleae

A type of variable moisture content meadow largely built by Molinia caerulea.

24 Odrzysko Old bed of the Odra River

25 Ornithofauna All birds living in the area, environment or living in a specific epoch

26 Oxbow lake A lake lying at the bottom of a river valley, being a fragment of its former riverbed and cutoff from the present current by an embankment.

27 Peat bog The area is characterised by high humidity, peat deposits and marsh vegetation, whichgives rise to peat.

28 Phytobenthos A set of organisms traditionally classified as plants associated with the bottom of a waterbody or a watercourse and the bottom zone

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentos

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbiornik_wodny

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sk%C4%85poszczety

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skorupiaki

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owady_wodne

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi%C4%99czaki

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NO. TERM NAME

29 Polder Usually a natural floodplain

30 Restoration The process of restoring the environment to its natural state, which is as close as possibleto its original state before human modification, e.g. restoring the natural river bed to itsnatural, meandering riverbed.

31 Retention capacity The amount of rainwater and snow water that a given area / reservoir can take

32 Riparian forest Forest community, occurring on rivers and streams, within the range of flood waters,which carry and settle fertile silt during the flood.

33 Sand grasslands Low, loose, pioneer communities, dominated by clump, xerophylic grasses, sometimeswith a higher proportion of low flowering perennials, most often not economically used orextensively grazed.

34 Sapropel Bottom sludge of ageing or contaminated water bodies, dark from iron sulphides, rich inorganic matter decomposed by micro-organisms

35 Silt material Bottom-surface excavated material arising from the dredging of surface water or hydraulicconstructions

36 Taxon Systematic unit of living organisms, e.g. species, genus, family

37 Terrestrialization The process of transforming the aquatic environment into terrestrial equipment

38 Water trophy Intensity of organic substance synthesis processes by photoautotrophic organisms, i.e.cyanobacteria, algae, higher plants

39 Weir Hydraulic construction built across the river or channel, damming water, in order toinclude maintaining a constant level of the river for navigation or flood protection

40 Willow orchard Willow thicket

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Table of ContentsSummary in a non-specialist language................................................................................................. 6

1. General information about Task 1A.3 .......................................................................................... 9

2. Objective and scope of Task 1A.3 ............................................................................................... 10

3. Characteristics of the area........................................................................................................... 11

4. Results of the conducted activities ............................................................................................. 17

4.1. Annual wildlife inventory.................................................................................................... 17

4.2. Geodetic inventory of water facilities ................................................................................ 22

4.3. Hydraulic modelling ............................................................................................................ 23

4.4. Testing of physico-chemical properties of waters and bottom sediments ..................... 29

4.5. Climate change and adaptation processes......................................................................... 30

5. Conclusions - hydrological and natural model .......................................................................... 31

6. Social consultations ..................................................................................................................... 33

7. Financial summary ...................................................................................................................... 35

8. Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 35

9. Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 36

List of Tables

Table 1 Characteristics of Międzyodrze polders................................................................................................13

Table 2 Międzyodrze hydrography..........................................................................................................................14

Table 3 Hydraulic constructions...............................................................................................................................23

Table 4 Summary of data used in the model........................................................................................................25

List of FiguresFigure No. 1 Map showing the division of Międzyodrze area into polders.............................................13

Figure No. 2 The map showing Międzyodrze area at the background of spatial forms of nature

protection...........................................................................................................................................................................15

Figure No. 3 Międzyodrze map - the area covered by modelling together with the specified water

facilities ...............................................................................................................................................................................24

Figure No. 4 The floodplain area and volume for the Międzyodrze area for floods with a flow

probability of Q10%.......................................................................................................................................................28

Figure No. 5 The floodplain area and volume for the Międzyodrze area for floods with a flow

probability of Q1% .........................................................................................................................................................28

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Summary in a non-specialist language

This Final Report was created to summarise conceptual works related to the preparation for theimplementation of Task 1A.3. "Restoring natural values of Lower Odra Valley by improvingretention and flood protection capacities of Międzyodrze" carried out under the Contract forconsulting services No. 5.3 " Design and Construction Supervision for works, Project Management,Technical Assistance and Training Technical Support for the Project and Strengthening of PIU’sInstitutional Capacity " signed on 17 March 2017 by Sweco Consulting Sp. z o. o. from Poznań (theleader of the consortium of companies) and the Ordering Party, then the West Pomeranian Boardof Land Amelioration and Water Facilities in Szczecin, currently the Catchment ManagementBoard in Szczecin.

Task 1A.3 is part of the Odra and Vistula River Basin Flood Protection Project, which isimplemented in cooperation with international financial institutions, including the InternationalBank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and the Council of Europe DevelopmentBank (Loan No. IBRD 8524). The project is included in the Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP)on the List of strategic technical investments planned for implementation in 2016-2021, with therecommendation to verify its legitimacy with respect to the implementation of the floodprotection objective and its impact on the natural environment. The aim of the project was toincrease flood safety by increasing the retention capacity of Międzyodrze, while ensuring care fornatural values. The need for verification resulted from the insufficient level of knowledge aboutthe potential effects and expected effects, including environmental effects, at the stage ofpreparation of the Flood Risk Management Plan.

Międzyodrze is an area of approximately 5,456 ha, located between two branches of the OdraRiver, intersected by a dense network of channels and drainage ditches, used in the past foragricultural purposes (mainly as meadows and pastures), and currently excluded fromcommercial use. In order to ensure the possibility to regulate the flow of water for agriculturalpurposes, the area was surrounded by embankments equipped with water facilities (locks, weirs,pumping stations). After the abandonment of agricultural maintenance, both the embankmentsand the facilities were devastated and today they do not perform the original function ofregulating the flow of water. The flow of water in the canal network has been significantly reduced.The above contributed to the development of characteristic natural resources, dependent on thecreated water regime. Due to the abandonment of agricultural management, the system isconstantly changing, in particular overgrowing and glaciation. The natural conditions of the areaand the way of controlling the Widuchowa Weir, which "drives" most of water to the Eastern Odra,force the flow of water from east to west in order to equalise the water levels between the Easternand Western Odra. The currently overgrown part of the channels blocks the natural flow of water.Międzyodrze's water facilities are listed in the Voivodeship Monument Register, which issupervised by the Voivodeship Monument Conservator. They also constitute an area of historiccultural value included in the voivodeship spatial development plan.

Task 1A.3 material plan included repair and restoration of functionality of water facilities (inletand outlet), modernisation of embankments and cleaning of some of the channels. The expectedeffect was to increase the importance of the area in flood protection by optimising the use ofretention capacity.

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The scope of preparatory work included (in accordance with the FRMP) the development of ahydrological and natural model that would analyse the scope of the project to be carried out andassess the potential effect in terms of flood safety and the impact (positive and negative) on thenatural environment (with particular emphasis on natural values). In view of the problemidentified and the scope of the work, it has been developed:

- comprehensive wildlife inventory, whose aim was to identify natural resources, diagnosisof the state of protection, taking into account legal requirements, determination of thepotential impact of activities planned under the contract on the environment;

- geodetic inventory of facilities, the purpose of which was to determine the possibility ofusing the existing technical infrastructure, taking into account its functions, technicalcondition and location;

- a hydraulic model, by means of which simulations of possible effects and their significancefor increasing flood safety were carried out;

- water quality analysis and bottom sediment analysis in order to be able to assess theimpact of planned works;

- analysis of vulnerability to climate changes and adaptation capacity of the Międzyodrze.

On the basis of the hydrological and natural model developed, it was stated that theimplementation of the planned measures would not contribute to a significant increase in floodsafety. The existing retention capacity (140 million m3, approx. 5% of the flood wave volume witha probability of occurring every 100 years) and the possibility of its increase are insufficient tolimit the effects of floods. The scenario involving the use of existing water facilities to optimiseaccess to existing potential was analysed. It is assumed that by means of water facilities, duringthe flood wave passage, the area will be used to prevent flooding of protected areas in the floodwave climax phase. The simulations carried out show that this way, it is possible to slightlyinfluence the level of flood waters in the initial phase of the wave transition. Międzyodrze, as anatural floodplain polder, is filled with water inflow up to the level of the existing embankments.At the time of flood wave accumulation, the area is completely underwater and no additionalquantities can be absorbed.

Limitations on the use of Międzyodrze in increasing the level of flood safety:- limited area - the area is limited by two branches of the river, it is not possible to enlarge

it;- no possibility to raise the embankments - the existing embankments are not of flood

protection character, and due to natural limitations (including overgrowing riparianhabitats) it is not possible to raise them and achieve the required parameters;

- it is possible to increase the canal retention by deepening and cleaning the channels isinsufficient (approx. 0.7 million m3 with 50% deepening of existing channels by 50cm)to achieve a satisfactory effect;

- a complex hydrological system, consisting of a network of canals, water facilities, theshape and management of the area, which limits the effective control of the availablecapacity;

Although it is not possible to achieve the assumed objective of the task and as a consequence, theresignation of its implementation, the necessity to restore the flow in the Międzyodrze canals andwater exchange between the area and the surrounding river branches was determined as adesirable measure, both to maintain the retention capacity and to restore the natural valuesformed during the agricultural use of the area.

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In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the possibility of carrying out activitiesconsisting in cleaning the inlet devices and deepening the selected, limiting the flow of channelswas analysed. It was found that such measures would enable the flow but they would not restorethe flow. The flow of water is determined by functioning of Widuchowa Weir, which can be usedto create differences in water levels between the surrounding arms of the river. However, thiseffect is insufficient, and an additional limitation is the division of the area into threehydrologically isolated polders.

The results of the analyses and the conclusions of the preparatory work are made available foruse in the management of the Międzyodrze area. Due to the synthetic nature of this study, detailedreferences to sources of data and information acquisition, as well as the literature items used, areincluded in the attached studies, which are the basis for preparing the Final Report.

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1. General information about Task 1A.3

Task 1A.3. The "Restoration of the natural values of the Lower Odra Valley by the improvement ofthe retention and flood protection capacities of Międzyodrze" is an element of the Project of FloodProtection of the Odra-Vistula River Basin (OVFMP), which is implemented in cooperation withinternational financial institutions, including the International Bank for Reconstruction andDevelopment (World Bank) and the Council of Europe Development Bank (under the LoanAgreement concluded on 10 September 2015 between the Republic of Poland and theInternational Bank for Reconstruction and Development, loan no. IBRD 8524-PL and the LoanAgreement concluded in 2016 between the Republic of Poland and the Council of EuropeDevelopment Bank). The scope of the entire Project includes flood management infrastructureand related technical measures in three separated areas of Poland: the Middle and Lower Odrabasin; the Kłodzko Valley (the Nysa Kłodzka basin); and the Upper Vistula basin.

The project was divided into five components:1) Component 1. Flood Protection of the Lower and Middle Odra;2) Component 2. Flood Protection of the Kłodzko Valley;3) Component 3. Flood Protection of the Upper Vistula;4) Component 4. Modernization and expansion of the monitoring and warning system;5) Component 5. Project Management.

Under Component 1, among others, Subcomponent 1.A Flood protection of areas in the WestPomeranian Voivodeship, for the implementation of which is the responsibility of the State WaterHolding Polish Water Catchment Management Board in Szczecin. In addition to the Task 1A.3mentioned above, it also includes:

§ Task 1A.1. Chlewice-Porzecze. Backwater embankment of the Odra River at the MyśliRiver and Modernization of the Marwicki polder stage I and II,

§ Task 1A.2. Flood protection of Ognica village on Odra River. Osinów-Łubnica.Modernization of inter-embankment. Flood protection of Radziszewo and Daleszewovillages on Odra River at 726+400-727+960 km. Modernization of Marwicki polder stageIII - pump station.

Preparatory works in connection with the implementation of Task 1A.3 under the OPDOW Projectare covered by the Consulting Services Contract No. 5.3 "Design and construction supervision.Project management, technical assistance and support for project implementation units in thescope of implementation of the Odra and Vistula River Basin Flood Protection Project". Theagreement for consulting services was signed on 17 March 2017 by the leader of the consortiumof companies, i.e. Sweco Consulting Sp. z o. o. from Poznań and the Ordering Party, the WestPomeranian Board of Land Amelioration and Water Facilities in Szczecin(currently SWHPW ZZSzczecin).

This report is a summary of the preparatory works carried out together with conclusionsconcerning the functioning of the Międzyodrze area in the context of flood protection and thepossibility of increasing retention while improving environmental conditions.

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2. Objective and scope of Task 1A.3

Task 1A.3 was placed on the List of strategic technical investments planned for implementationin 2016-2021, which is included in the Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP), which is an appendixto the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 18 October 2016. on the adoption of a Flood RiskManagement Plan for the Odra river basin district. FRMP is a strategic document that includes ina systemic way investments that are significant as part of creating a flood protection for thecountry.

The basis for including the above mentioned task in FRMP were to assume that due to conditions,including primarily location, hydrological and hydrotechnical conditions, by using technicalmeans, the significance of the Międzyodrze area in reducing flood effects can be increased, whichis consistent with the objectives of OVFMP.

One of the expected effects of Task 1A.3 was the achievement of hydrological equilibrium in theentire Międzyodrze area between the two branches of the Odra River: the Western Odra and theEastern Odra, by providing channels, ditches and water facilities to ensure proper fertilizing andquick drainage of naturally valuable areas at the same time raising the level of flood protection ofthe areas adjacent to the Odra River.

The scope of activities adopted for implementation included restoring the functioning of thehydrotechnical infrastructure originally created for the purpose of using the area for agriculturalpurposes, through renovation and improvement of the control system of 32 water facilities,cleaning and deepening of selected channels and sealing the embankment separating the areafrom the riverbed of the Odra River. It was also assumed that a communication infrastructurewould be built to serve the technical service of the building and to enable orderly uncontrolledtourist traffic in the Międzyodrze area, which would disturb the natural balance and have anegative impact on the technical condition of hydrotechnical equipment. It was assumed that theplanned activities may contribute to improving the nature of the Międzyodrze area, in particularby restoring the flow of water in its channels and ensuring its proper level. However, due to thelack of sufficient data to assess both the achievable flood effects and the environmental impact, itwas assumed that preparatory (conceptual) works should be carried out prior to thecommencement of the works. The main element of this work was the development of ahydrological and natural model, which collected the results of all the analyses and whose aim wasto determine the legitimacy of the task in terms of increasing flood safety, taking into account therequirements in terms of environmental impact, with particular emphasis on natural values.

As part of conceptual works, the necessary data was obtained and developed, analyses werecarried out, and the results and conclusions were included in the prepared studies. After obtainingthe data, research began with determining the relationship between the characteristics of the area(location, hydrological relations, existing hydrotechnical equipment) and the potential to reducethe effects of floods, identified as the possibilities of using and increasing the existing retentioncapacity of the area.

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Considering the above, the following works and analyses were carried out:

§ analysis of available information on the subject of the study, including in historical terms,in particular to identify the characteristics of the area, the genesis of its shape and function(Chapter 3 and Appendix No. 6);

§ analysis of available data describing the area in terms of geodetic, hydrological,morphological (Chapter 3 and Appendix No. 6);

§ development of a hydrological model of the area, describing hydrological relationstogether with identification of relations with the environment, including using existingwater facilities (Chapter 4.3 and Appendix No. 3);

§ geodetic inventory of existing water facilities, in terms of technical condition and technicalparameters important in the process of water flow control (Chapter 4.2 and Appendix No.1);

§ natural inventory, the purpose of which was to identify natural resources, analyse thepotential impacts of planned works and identify links between planned activities andimproving conditions for selected species of plants and animals (Chapter 4.1 and AppendixNo. 2);

§ simulations and analysis of variant technical solutions in the scope of impacton the functioning of Międzyodrze (Chapter 4.3 and Appendix No. 3);

§ bottom sediment tests to identify potential effects of dredging works (Chapter 4.4,Appendix No. 4);

§ physico-chemical analysis of water to determine the potential effects of project activities(Chapter 4.4, Appendix No. 4);

§ analysis of the effects of planned works in the context of climate protection and adaptivechanges (Chapter 4.5, Appendix No. 5);

The listed activities and their effects were widely consulted as part of an information andconsultation campaign, in particular with representatives of local communities and ecologicalorganisations.

3. Characteristics of the area

Międzyodrze is located in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, in four communes: Gryfino, Szczecin,Widuchowa, and Kołbaskowo. It is part of the mesoregion of the Lower Odra Valley. The length ofMiędzyodrze is 33 km and its area is about 5456.5 ha. The landscape of this area was shaped atthe stages of the recession of the youngest glaciation in the Pomeranian phase. Międzyodrze areahas a small elevation above 0.1-0.5 m above sea level.

The extensive peat bog Międzyodrze has been adapted for meadow and pasture use throughmelioration. These polders, until the end of the 1960s, were used for agricultural purposes inspring and summer. However, for autumn and winter seasons, they were prepared for inundation.

The most important impact on the formation of the Międzyodrze area had regulatory work carriedout over the years, the purpose of which was to create the possibility of economic use of the OdraRiver and adjacent areas. The area stretching between the branching arms of the Odra River hasbecome attractive in terms of agricultural use, in particular as grasslands, meadows and pastures.In order to increase the efficiency of the area use, the hydrotechnical infrastructure was built,which enabled to control the water level depending on the needs related to the maintenance ofoptimal water conditions. Constructions and water facilities located in Międzyodrze are subject

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to conservation protection. They were entered into the voivodeship register of monuments(pursuant to the Act of 23 July 2003 on the protection of monuments and care of monuments(Journal of Laws of 2018, item 2067). The spatial development plan for the West-PomeranianVoivodeship indicates the areas with historic cultural values (Resolution No. XLV/530/10 of theWest-Pomeranian Voivodeship of 19 October 2010 on the adoption of a change in the spatialdevelopment plan for the West-Pomeranian Voivodeship).

One of the technical elements enabling agricultural use was the embankment, which was erectedto a height corresponding to the flow of the Odra river equal to 1600 m3/s (according to theHohensaaten gauge), with Dąbie lake rising to a height of + 0.7 m NN. As a part of it, a tunnel wasmade below Widuchowa in the direction of Western Odra, it was covered with embankments onboth sides and a gate weir was built, which allowed for engineering of water distribution forEastern Odra and Western Odra. For the purpose of conceptual works, based on the numericalmodel of the area, the technical condition of the embankment was assessed. Due to theabandonment of maintenance work, which is a consequence of changing the way the area is used,the embankment is in poor technical condition, it is lowered or damaged in many places, as a resultof which water reaches the polders at flows lower than 1600 m3/s.

Another characteristic element of Międzyodrze is the rich network of channels, which form thespecific water system of the area. In the northern part of Międzyodrze, the Easternand Western Odra have a connection via the Klucz-Ustowo shipping channel. From this channel,the Eastern Odra changes its name to Regalica and flows into Dąbie lake. The second channelconnecting both arms of the Odra is the Odyniec Channel, running parallel to the Klucz-Ustowochannel, from which the Western Odra changes its name to the Odra of Szczecin.

According to the Water Management Plan in the Odra River basin (Regulation of the Council ofMinisters of 18 October 2016 item. 1967) Międzyodrze waters are classified as surface water - agreat lowland river with code 21. Międzyodrze area lies within the area of the Odra River surfacewater body (JCWP) from the Western Odra to the Parnica River PLRW6000211971 and JCWPOdra from the Parnica River to the estuary PLRW6000211999, which have a strongly modifiedstatus, therefore the ecological potential of the water bodies is subject to assessment.

There are numerous oxbow lakes and odrzyska in the area of Międzyodrze. They remain in variousrelationships with riverbeds. Oxbow lakes have contact with the mainstream, water levelfluctuations are large and often strongly generated by water levels in the riverbed. Odrzyska asforms isolated from the direct impact of riverbed waters are fed with groundwater, flood andrainwater. In fluvioglacial depressions, water is found on the surface throughout the year.

Water movements along Międzyodrze are limited by three transverse embankments: fills of theGryfino-Mescherin road and Klucz-Kołbaskowo motorway as well as railway fills in Zaleskie Łąki.As a result, it is possible to divide them into three separate polders (according to Table 1 andFigure No. 1), which differ from each other in terms of hydrographic conditions and the naturalvalues associated with them.

http://prawo.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20180002067

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Table 1 Characteristics of Międzyodrze polders

Name of the polderArea Average height Total surface of channels

and ditches

[ha] [meters above sealevel] [ha]

Southern (Widuchowski) 2 465,5 0,1 348,5Central (Gryfiński) (on themap northern part I) 2 232,4 0,2-0,3 135,0

Northern (Szczecin) (onthe map northern part IIand III)

758,6 0,2-0,3 137,3

Total: 5456,5 620,08Source: materials developed for the needs of conceptual works

Figure No.1 Map showing the division of Międzyodrze area into polders

Source: materials developed for the needs of conceptual works

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Table 2 presents the main channels with their hydrological characteristics:

Table 2 Międzyodrze hydrography

Main river Stream order I Stream order II Stream order IIIWestern Odra Skośnica Przecznica

ObnicaKanał KurowskiKanał Żeglica Żeglicki Przekop

Kanał WtórnyKanał BłotnyKanał Drzewny

Kanał Moczydłowski Kanał CzarnyKanał Gryfiński Kanał Szeroki Kanał DługiKanał Leniwy Kanał WąskiKanał Krzyżowy Stary Kanał

Kanał WęzłowyWestern Odra Kanał Leśny (Odyniec)

ObnicaKanał KluckiTributary from Wełtyńlake(Omulna)Kanał Dolna Odra+ TywaStara Reglica Krzywa Reglica

Mała ReglicaKanał MarwickiKanał Mały

Tributary from KiełbiczelakeTributary fromWiduchowskie lake


At present, there is no water management at Międzyodrze. Inundation of the area happens in anuncontrolled manner, depending solely on the conditions on Odra River. Międzyodrze also doesnot fulfil the function of a flow regulator in Eastern and Western Odra. However, it still has animpact on shaping flows, because a constant and free exchange of water takes place throughMiedzyodrze between Eastern and Western Odra.

The largest area of Międzyodrze - 81% of the area is covered by wood free marsh vegetation. Theswamp forests cover only 4% of the area. Open water areas - oxbow lakes, sandbars, canals occupya total of 11.6% of the area (an extensive network of channels measuring over 200 km in length).Small percentage shares in the area are also attributed to extensively used meadows and pastures-1.2% and embankments, dirt roads and sandy areas -2.2%. The rivers East Odra and West Odramark the border of Międzyodrze.

Międzyodrze has a retention function due to the existence of a specific capacity of this area. At themoment of rising flood wave, Międzyodrze gradually fills up with water. Then, after theculmination of the wave, the excess of water is discharged back to the river. In the case of riverhigh water - when goes down the river, Międzyodrze lowers the water level in the sections ofEastern Odra and Odra, mainly in conditions of the average state of Szczecin Lagoon.

One of the elements significantly affecting the nature of Międzyodrze and the scope of activitiesbeing analysed are its natural assets. Międzyodrze is a unique ecosystem, largely dependent onhydrographic conditions. Międzyodrze area, as part of the Lower Odra Valley is a place of

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occurrence of many valuable plant and animal species. Details are presented in Appendix No. 2 onthe nature inventory carried out as part of the preparatory work. The area is within the range ofspatial forms of nature protection, as illustrated in Figure No. 2.

Figure No. 2 The map showing Międzyodrze area at the background of spatial forms of nature protection


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The Lower Odra Valley Landscape Park covering the entire Międzyodrze area was created in 1993by Regulation No. 4/1993 of the Governor of Szczecin (Journal of Laws of the Governor of SzczecinNo. 4, item 50). The special purpose of protecting the Park is to preserve and promote its natural,historical and cultural values as well as landscape values in conditions of sustainable developmentthrough:

1) the maintenance and restoration of a landscape which is close to natural and harmoniouscultural landscapes, with particular protection for the following elements:

a. natural: natural biocenoses of natural and semi-natural character, populations ofplants and animals of protected and endangered species, rare and crucial for thefunctioning of ecosystems; roadside and near-water woodlots and other elementsof the natural environment conditioning the preservation of the Park'sbiodiversity,

b. cultural: archaeological sites, historic and other valuable architectural objects;2) preservation and introduction of universal accessibility of natural and landscape values,

without development of infrastructure connected with servicing tourist traffic;3) running a business in a way that minimises environmental and landscape impacts;4) development of infrastructure improving the condition of the natural environment.

In the northern part of the Landscape Park is the Kurowskie Błota nature reserve, created underthe the Ministry of Forestry and the Wood Industry Order of 20 October 1965. regardingrecognition as a nature reserve (M.P. of 1965, No. 64, item 356). The main purpose of the reserve'sprotection is to preserve the breeding sites of birds, especially the gray heron Ardea cinerea, andto preserve the alder in an unchanged state that is distinguished by its high biocenotic values andnatural forest succession processes.

Międzyodrze area is within two areas of the ecological network Natura 2000. Under the Councilof Europe Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992) on the protection of natural habitatsand wild flora and fauna, is within the boundaries of the Special Protection Area of the Lower OdraPLH. Międzyodrze, as a peat island located between the Eastern Odra and Western Odra, it is thearea of the largest fluviogenic (flooded) peat bog in Europe up to 10 m thick, cut through with anetwork of channels, oxbow lakes, ditches and floodplains with a total length of approx. 200 km.In these special conditions, with very limited management, a characteristic flora developed in thisplace. Well-preserved habitats provide shelter and resting places and food for many rare andendangered species of animals.

The objects of protection in this area include:

§ eutrophic waters (CODE 3151) - oxbow lakes, swamps and canals with colourfulvegetation of water lilies,

§ slews (CODE 7140) with low-sedge vegetation of O., Caricetalia fuscae,§ thickets and riparian forests (CODE 91E0) willow, poplar, alder and ash

with their natural flora and fauna,§ Molinia meadows of variable moisture content (CODE 6410),§ sandy xeric grasslands (CODE 2330) on silt material.

The species occurring in Międzyodrze, covered by the Habitats Directive, include: otter LutraLutra, beaver Castor fiber, large copper Lycaena dispar, fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina andnorthern crested newt Triturus cristatus.

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Pursuant to the Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979), on theconservation of wild birds, Międzyodrze is within the area called Special Protection Area of theLower Odra Valley PLB 320003. It is a bird refuge of E06 European rank, in which there are atleast 43 species of birds from Appendix No. 1 of the Birds Directive, 14 species from the PolishRed Data Book of Animals (PRDBA). A very important area especially for water and marsh birdsduring breeding, migration and winter time. During the breeding season the area is inhabited byat least 1% of the national population of the following bird species: bittern (PRDBA), montagu'sharrier and greylag goose; at a relatively high density there are: black tern, red-backed shrike andaquatic warbler (PRDBA). During the migration period at least 1% of the population of themigration route of the following bird species occurs: bean goose and white-fronted goose; thefollowing species have a relatively high density: whooper swan, great crested grebe, gadwall,lapwing and European gold plover; in the autumn, there are up to 5 000 of common cranes at thestaging area. Great crested grebe occurs with a high density in winter.

4. Results of the conducted activities

4.1. Annual wildlife inventory

Field investigations were carried out to verify the extent of the environmentally and sociallyacceptable intervention works by means of hydrotechnical works and to assess their impact. Theresearch methodology was selected in such a way as to enable a full diagnosis of the condition ofthe natural environment, identification of possible environmental impacts of the planned worksand the possibility of simultaneous improvement in the scope of natural conditions. The scopeand manner of conducting research has been subject to extensive public consultations, includingas part of organised information conferences. Międzyodrze is an extremely interesting andvaluable area in terms of nature, but despite the great interest of naturalists, it has not beenincluded in such detailed inventory studies in recent years. It was assumed that a properassessment of the effects of planned activities should be based on treating Międzyodrze as aseparate ecosystem, unlike other random inventories devoted to selected issues (species, groups,habitats), taking into account the valuable values of the area. More than twenty high-class expertswere involved in conducting the wildlife inventory. One of the tasks of nature experts was todetermine the sensitivity of particular species and habitats to the execution of works and theireffects. As a result of the conducted research and comparisons with historical results, it was foundthat there are changes in the occurrence of habitats and species in the area, mainly caused bychanges in water relations, including restrictions on water flow through the network ofMiędzyodrze channels. There were also differences found in the intensity of the above mentionedprocesses between individual polders. In the "southern" polder, where due to the Widuchowaweir, the flows are limited to the smallest extent, the mentioned changes are less intensive. Movingin the northern direction to the polders, also due to the barrier effect of the located roads, highovergrowing and terrestrialization intensity can be observed. The inventory was started in March2017 and covered the full vegetation period. The report, including the methodology, results ofobservations and conclusions, is attached as Appendix No. 2 to this study. Below, the mostimportant elements of the natural system of the area, from the point of view of the impact of theplanned activities, are presented.

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Flora and natural habitats

In the area of Międzyodrze research, eight protected species have been documented, includingthree strictly protected species. None of these species is a protected area of the Natura 2000 site,although they are typical species for protected natural habitats. Due to the high category of threatin the scale of the country and exceptional rarity of occurrence in the northern part of the country,the populations of the fringed water lilly and the water caltrop are very important values of thearea. Both species were discovered in the Lower Odra Valley after decades of absence. Anotherspecies under strict protection - floating saltwater - is locally very widespread and occurs in largenumbers (not only in Międzyodrze, but also in the area of the Lower Odra Valley after its mouthto Szczecin Lagoon). Other species belong to those which are widespread and have large regionalresources, except for watercress and marsh pea. The sand blocks recorded only once inMiędzyodrze (locally rare due to unfavourable habitat conditions) are a very common species inthe surrounding areas and on a regional scale.

Three natural habitats have been documented in the Międzyodrze area:

1) oxbow lakes and natural eutrophic water reservoirs with communities from Nympheion,Potamion [3150] - at least 22 patches covering 40.97 ha,

2) mountain herbs (Adenostylion alliariae) and riparian herbaceous plants (Convolvuletaliasepium) [6430] - 28 patches covering 3.27 ha,

3) willow, poplar, alder and ash riparian forests (Salicetum albo-fragilis, Populetum albae,Alnenion glutinoso-incanae, common alder forests) * [91E0] - 60 patches covering 165.05ha.

Diatomaceous phytobenthos

Due to the possible impact of the planned works on water bodies, special attention has been paidin the research of those elements which allow for the assessment of the quality status and bydetermining the initial state, direction and intensity of the changes caused. One of the indicatorelements containing the assessment of the ecological condition of the river on the individualchannels of the Międzyodrze area is diatomaceous phytobenthos. Multiparametric diatomaceousindex based on three indicators was used in the research: TI trophy index, SI saprobic index andGR abundance index of reference species and specified in 5 classes. The analyses made allowedfor an objective and standardised assessment of the ecological status of the river during thesampling campaign, i.e. before the start of investment works. This was to enable an objectiveassessment of changes in the river ecosystem as a result of the works, as well as after theircompletion, and is a specific reference point necessary for the proper assessment of theenvironmental impact of the investment. At the same time, the analyses carried out allowed forthe inventory (review) of taxa of diatoms occurring in the examined section of the river, whichwas to enable the assessment of changes in this ecosystem component as a result of the workscarried out, during and after their completion. The ecological status of the Odra River in theMiędzyodrze area was assessed using a diatomaceous index and ranging from moderate to verygood. Sampling of diatomaceous phytobenthos in Międzyodrze area was performed in September2017. During sampling, the basic physical and chemical parameters of water were measureddirectly in the field: electrical conductivity, pH, water temperature and oxygen content.

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During the diatom analysis, a total of 120 species of diatoms belonging to 32 species wereidentified for the purpose of determining the ecological status of particular research sectionsusing the diatomaceous index.

After analysis, it was found that the diatomaceous flora occurring in the studied area does notdiffer from the previously recorded communities in this type of habitats (large lowland river).Intermittent rare species have been reported.

Macrobenthos and malacofauna

An important indicator element determining the quality of waters and their sensitivity to theeffects of planned works (including limited water flow in the area) is macrobenthos andmalacofauna. In addition, many species found in these groups are protected, including as part ofthe ecological Natura 2000 network. Particularly important in the river ecosystem due to the factthat they are filtrators and in the case of their mass occurrence significantly contribute to theprocess of self-cleaning of the river, are mussels from the Unionidae family (during their researchno such occurrences were found). In addition, they are essential for the reproduction of theprotected amur bitterling that spawn eggs in them. It is likely that these bivalve molluscs occur onthe Międzyodrze only at very low densities, much lower than on the Odra River. Fishing with adredge or bottom catcher does not provide exploration of sufficiently large bottom surfaces tofind live individuals. The presence of a small population of Unionidae clams in Międzyodrzeconfirms the presence of a small amount of rosehip in this area and the presence of shells of theseclams in the feeding places of otters. The reason for such a low density of mussels in the Unionidaefamily is probably the impaired water circulation in the channels, causing stagnation of water,accumulation of large amounts of organic matter in bottom sediments, which leads to oxygendeficits. The Uniondae living in bottom sediments do not have good habitat conditions here, aswas the case in the inter-road fields on the border Odra, where the water exchange was intensive.

Despite the visually good habitat conditions, the assessment of water quality based on theecological status assessment method based on MMI PL macrozoobenthos classified the waters ofMiędzyodrze as class III and IV. Such a low assessment is related to the changes taking place, whichare caused by the restriction of water flow in this area. Reduced water flow causes the channelsto fill with sediments, low oxygen content in the water, overgrowing with marsh vegetation, whichat the extreme stage leads to terrestrialization. The overgrowth and terrestrialization processmainly affects small (narrow) channels, thereby reducing the diversity of the habitats of the entirearea. Larger channels are less degradable, but even in large flow channels the process ofdegradation progresses, even though the symptoms are not yet visible. On the predominantsurface of the bottom of these channels, deoxygenated organic deposits of sapropel character arefound. Only invertebrates resistant to oxygen deficits, such as Chironomidae or Oligochaeta larvaecan live in such a settlement. In such conditions, mussels from the Unionidae family, essential forthe protection of the fish of the rose and self-cleaning of waters, and there are no rare andprotected species there.

As a result of monitoring carried out in June and September 2017, the Anisus vorticulus(Planorbidae family) was not found at the monitoring stations tested. The reason for theregression of this species from Międzyodrze area is probably the impaired circulation of watersin canals, especially those with underwater vegetation, i.e. in places of potential occurrence of thisspecies. With stagnation of water and a large amount of organic matter in bottom sediments,oxygen deficits occur. Anisus vorticulus is an organism with high oxygen requirements, in the

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above mentioned channels oxygen conditions are not sufficient, especially in bottom sediments,in which this species hibernates. Noteworthy is the extremely low number of other Planorbidaespecies found in 2017 that do not have such high oxygen requirements. Only singular individualswere found to be present.

Entomofauna and terrestrial malacofauna

Due to the natural values of the area and the potential impact of the planned works, theentomofuna and malacofauna surveys had to be carried out. Identification of the area, speciescomposition and number of animals began in July and was completed in October 2017.Identification of the inventoried section of the Odra River in the places of the planned workstogether with the buffer showed the occurrence of 7 insect species, including bumblebees: largeearth bumblebee, red-tailed bumblebee, common carder bee, small garden bumblebee, newgarden bumblebee, shrill carder bee; and a green snaketail. No whorl snails were found during thetests.

Particularly noteworthy is the finding of the occurrence of one species from Appendix No. 2 of theHabitats Directive - the green Ophiogomphus cecilia. The occurrence of dragonfly was regularlyfound, along the entire length of the outer shore of Międzyodrze - on the banks of Odra. The greensnaketail is a river species and in this case there is no shortage of habitats suitable for the species.

The next 6 species found belong to the Hymenoptera order. These are bumblebees of theBombus type: large earth bumblebee, red-tailed bumblebee, common carder bee, small gardenbumblebee, new garden bumblebee, shrill carder bee. All of them are subject to partial protection.The small number of observations and the small number of observed individuals clearly indicatethe non-optimal habitat conditions for these insects. They require flower-rich meadows wherethey find food for larvae. It would be best if they were "wild" meadows, rarely mown, preferablywithout the participation of Taraxacum sp. Dandelions, whose occurrence indicatesimpoverishment of the flora. Bumblebee species found here did not find the optimum for theiroccurrence. These are insects under partial protection, very important from the point of view ofhuman economy - pollinators of utility plants.

Ichthyofauna

The Międzyodrze channels are an attractive living environment for many valuable and protectedspecies of fish. Due to the specifics of the study area, the obtained results were compared forseveral types of conventional habitats. Small channels were distinguished, where the absolutedominance is roach and perch - they are organisms of different sizes, sometimes in the number ofseveral hundred organisms. In addition, single pike spawners, tench and rudd as well as somespined loaches and amur bitterlings were caught from protected species. In medium-sizedchannels, the prevalence of common bleaks has been observed - at least several dozen individualsat the site, perch and roach adolescents, single common rudd, asp and ide was observed, and inplaces with hard, sandy bottom, pumpkinseed. Within the large channels, only individual smallroach were found. The last habitat type is a stagnation of various sizes where mainly roach fry,numerous young perch and common bleak as well as individual weirs, tenches, rudd, blue bream,white bream, sunbleak, common bream and northern pike - usually small in size - were observed.A spinded loach was very rare, and in one case pumkinseed was also caught. On the basis of theresults obtained, it should be concluded that the number of species (biodiversity), the size of thepopulation and the unfavourable age structure are decreasing in comparison to the reference

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values for a similar type of environment and historical data. One of the main reasons for thisphenomenon was the lack of flow and oxygen limits in the Międzyodrze channels.

Among the species identified were those covered by the Habitats Directive - Appendix No. 2 -which are animal species of Community interest whose conservation requires the designation ofSpecial Areas of Conservation (without birds). Appendix No. 2 is a continuation of Appendix No. 1concerning the establishment of a coherent network of areas covered by special protection. Thefollowing positions were found in Appendix No. 2: asp, spined loach and amur bitterling.

In total, 20 taxa of fish were found during the wildlife inventory. Taking into account the use ofonly one electrofishing method on such a large area, it was possible to capture a large part of theichthyofauna in a relatively short time, revealing not only frequent species, but also very rare ones.The number of species occurring in the waters of Międzyodrze reported by various authors isquite diverse and depends on the type of source and the time interval in which the data werecollected.

Herpetofauna

Międzyodrze is a relatively homogeneous area, abundant in convenient habitats, with nomigration barriers for herpetofauna, and animals can be passively transported through water.Therefore, the point on the map where individuals of a given species were found should not betreated as the only habitat - the whole Międzyodrze remains a habitat. Moreover, due to theprevailing conditions at this site, the detectability of some amphibian species (newts that do notissue mating voices) and all reptiles is much lower than the actual population status.

The most valuable species found in the area of Międzyodrze is the northern crested newt, forwhich smaller channels, partially overgrown with vegetation, with limited penetration by fish, area valuable habitat. It should be remembered that the total loss of these habitats due to the removalof underwater and coastal vegetation will lead to a decline or loss of population, but also, in thecurrent situation, the uncleaned channels will become increasingly overgrown, which will alsolead to the loss of habitats in the long term.

Ornithofauna

In connection with the changes taking place in Międzyodrze, consisting mainly in the progressivesuccession of high vegetation and terrestrialization, changes in the range of the existing speciesand their abundance were found. In 2017, 100 breeding species or probably breeding birds werefound in Międzyodrze, 14 of them are in Appendix No. 1 of the Birds Directive.

On a national scale, high numbers of gadwall (2.1-3.0% of the population nesting in Poland), blacktern (3-5% of the national population), bluethroat (3.5% of the national population) and Savi'swarbler (1.1-1.5% of the national population) should be noted. It should be noted that if no actionis taken in the area of Międzyodrze and the area is allowed to gradually overgrow in the long term,the 13 species which are subject to protection of the Lower Odra Valley Natura 2000 area arelikely to be adversely affected, the succession for 7 species will be indifferent, while one species islikely to benefit from the expected changes. Of the 13 species for which succession meansdeterioration of living conditions, the most important is the black tern, for which Międzyodrze isan important breeding ground on a national scale. In 2017, nearly 5% of the national populationof the black tern nested here. Thanks to the programme started in 2017 by West PomeranianNature Society on creating new breeding places for the species, the number increased by 50%compared to 2016. It is to be expected that the importance of this breeding site will probably

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increase in the near future, since the implementation of a similar programme (including thecreation of artificial nesting platforms) on the German side between 2003 and 2015 has more thandoubled the number of the species. Taking into account the worldwide decrease of the black tern(including the North American sub-species), this is a significant argument for stopping theterrestrialization of Międzyodrze channel.

The second species to which attention should be paid is the bluethroat, for which Międzyodrze isan important breeding ground in the country. The species is not globally threatened and its worldpopulation is assessed as stable. In Poland, there is a long-term, slight downward trend, althoughlocal population increases are observed. Międzyodrze is the place where the most dramaticdecrease in the number of this species has been recorded in recent years (from 100-150 to 45-55breeding pairs). However, probably despite a significant recent decline in the number of thisspecies, more than 2% of the national population still nests in the area of Międzyodrze. Thedecrease in the number of bluethroat in the analysed area is probably associated with progressivesuccession (the development of willow orachard and the merging of willow shrubs into compactthickets, eliminates the ecotone with which this species is associated). Stopping the landingprocess is also likely to stop this species from falling.

For the remaining species, Międzyodrze is not such an important breeding ground on a nationalscale, but its succession may have had a negative impact on the size of their national populations.

Chiroptera

Chiropterological survey of the inventoried section of the Odra River at the sites of planned worksshowed the occurrence of 8 species/groups of bats:

1) Nathusius's pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii)2) Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)3) Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)4) Common noctule (Nyctalus noctula)5) Lesser noctule (Nyctalus leisleri)6) Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus)7) Pond bat (Myotis dasycneme)8) Mouse-eared bat (Myotis sp.)

Międzyodrze functions for bats as a feeding ground and a reservoir of shelters in den trees. Themain feeding ground for bats are the channels where insects gather. In turn, the shelter repositoryconsist of ripe den trees. They are concentrated mainly in the area of the Kurowskie Błota naturereserve (about 190 ha) and embankments on the western border of Międzyodrze (26 km longstrip, average width 40m, around 104 ha). In the central part of the area there are mainly shortvegetation and single mature hollow trees suitable for occupation by bats. On the embankmentsthere are also old water facilities and structures that can function as bats' shelters in winter orsummer. On the basis of the data obtained, it can be concluded that Międzyodrze is an importantarea for bats, which is consistent with the knowledge that water-related biotopes have the highestactivity of bats.

4.2. Geodetic inventory of water facilities

The regulation of water flow in the Międzyodrze area was possible thanks to the operation of anumber of water facilities, such as locks, weirs and pumping stations. Together with the

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Widuchowa weir, they also fulfilled the role of a flow regulator in Eastern and Western Odra. Forthe purposes of conceptual work, a geodetic inventory of water facilities was performed, theresults of which are included in Appendix No. 1 to this Report. The main purpose of the study wasto determine the technical condition of the structure, as well as the permeability of the facilitiesand the channels connected to them. The inventoried structures do not fulfill their functions atpresent, the equipment is devastated, and their parts sometimes remain in the sewers, limitingthe possibility of water flow. The analysis of the register division and properties of the plots onwhich the hydrotechnical equipment is located was carried out. Types and number of waterconstructions are shown in Table 3 and their location in Figure No. 3.

Table 3 Hydraulic constructionsNo. Type of hydrotechnical structure

and its purposeSouthern

polderMiddlepolder

Northernpolder

Międzyodrzein total

1 Weir in Widuchowa - used for thedivision of water into two riverbeds,i.e. Western Odra and Eastern Odra(Regalica)

1 - - 1

2 Chamber and navigation sluicesconnecting the waterway of EasternOdra with Western Odra

2 - - 2

3 Chamber and economic sluices, usedfor transport within the washlands

4 9 4 17

4 Canals (overflows) with openingclearance of 10 to 40 m, used to bringhigh water to the washland

3 2 1 6

5 Embankment culverts with self-acting valves, used for gravitationaldrainage of excess water fromwashlands

4 1 - 5

6 Pumping stations used to lower thewater level on washlands

2 1 1 4

source: „Zabytkowe budowle hydrotechniczne i inne Doliny Dolnej Odry”, study by Leszek Budych, edited by Stanisław Januszewski

4.3. Hydraulic modelling

The purpose of building the hydraulic model was, appropriate to planned analyses, mappingMiędzyodrze area and conducting simulations and analyses with it to determine the necessaryand possible scope of work to improve flood safety, in particular the effectiveness of the proposedmeasures to reduce flood risk in cities in the vicinity of Międzyodrze. The calculation scenariosconcerned floods with low (0.2%), medium (1%) and high (10%) probability of occurrence.

For the purpose of developing the concept, the Międzyodrze area has been defined as a floodplain,located between two river branches, which is a natural reservoir capable of storing water,including in the case of flood embankments. Currently, the flow of water in the area is determinedby the existing field conditions, shaped as a result of historical human activity, and in part as aresult of spontaneous processes. The hydrotechnical infrastructure is largely devastated and doesnot fulfil its original function, which is related to the discontinuation of agricultural use and theintroduction of passive strategies for the protection of natural resources. It was assumed that asa result of sealing and modernisation of the embankment, cleaning the canals and restoring thepossibility of water flow control using the renovated infrastructure, it will be possible to increasethe significance of Międzyodrze for flood safety, while at the same time improving the naturalconditions. Due to the importance of the area for the protection of natural resources, the impact

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on the environment, including species and natural habitats, was adopted as one of the maincriteria for the assessment of the proposed solutions.

Modelling covered the area from the Widuchowa stream gauge to the stream gauges Szczecin MostDługi on Western Odra and Most Cłowy on Odra. 35.8 km of Odra have been mapped - km 701+800- 737+600 and 36 km of Western Odra - km 0+000 - 36+000. The canals located withinMiędzyodrze region have been included. The total area covered by the modelling is 128.28 km2. Itwas decided that the model will reflect the area of Międzyodrze in the event of a rainfall/run-offflood from the south. Despite the fact that this area is within the range of the sea backflow, due tothe nature of this type of flood, its violent course, short duration, lower water climaxes (comparedto a rainfall flood) and its dependence on water levels rather than flows and the impossibility tocontrol devices in such a limited time, there was no justification for introducing the backflow intothe model. It should also be borne in mind that the highest observed water levels resulting fromthe occurrence of these phenomena were about 1.0 m above sea level and the flood protection ofthe towns located in the Lower Odra Valley, whose flood embankment crowns have ordinatessignificantly above the extreme water level, which ensures proper protection against suchphenomena.

Figure No.3 Międzyodrze map - the area covered by modelling together with the specified water facilities


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To implement the model, data and calculations made by the Institute of Meteorology and WaterManagement - National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) were used. As a result, IMGW-PIBprovided the ordered data in the study entitled "Values of water levels and maximum annualflows with a specified probability of exceeding, together with hypothetical hydrographs in thewater level gauge sections Szczecin Most Długi, Gozdowice, Bielinek located on the Odra River".The method of Warsaw University of Technology was used to calculate hypothetical waves inwater gauge cross-sections. This method is and has been successfully used in many projectsrelated to water management in Poland.

At least 6 flow hydrographs actually registered are used for calculations in the method of WarsawUniversity of Technology. Checking the correctness of using this method is possible by comparingreal flow hydrographs with hypothetical ones.

The maximum flow observed in Gozdowice in 1997 was approximated to the flow with aprobability of exceeding 0.2%. Therefore, a direct comparison of the real hydrograph from 1997has been made with a hypothetical hydrograph for Qmax = 0.2%. Maximum flows registered duringhigh water in 2010 were approximated to the flows with a probability of exceeding 10%. Forcomparisons, a hypothetical hydrograph with a probability of exceeding 10% (Qmax = 1830 m3/s)was scaled to a hydrograph with a maximum flow of 1620 m3/s. There was no comparablehistorical flooding for flows with a probability of exceeding 1%.

The analysis of hydrographs shows that the hypothetical flow hydrographs determined by themethod of the Warsaw University of Technology well reflect historical floods with a highprobability of occurrence (10%). For the extreme phenomenon (0.2%), especially in the fallingpart, the hypothetical wave deviates from the one observed in 1997. However, it should be notedthat in the culmination part (flows above 2500 m3/s) the shape fit is very good.

Comparison of the volume of hydrographs showed that the hypothetical wave for Qmax = 0.2% is39% higher than the actual wave from 1997. (cut off of hydrographs at 1000 m3/s). However, thevolume of the hypothetical wave for Qmax= 1620 m3/s is smaller than the volume of flood from2006 by 11% (cut off of hydrographs at 500 m3/s).

Calculations made by IMGW-PIB can be successfully used for calculations under the developedhydraulic model for Task 1A.3. The selected method is based on real hydrographs, whichminimises the possibility of obtaining hydrographs that do not adequately reflect the course ofhypothetical high water.

Table 4 Summary of data used in the model

Name Source Revision

Spatial and inventory data

Digital terrain model (DTM) Head Office of LandSurveying and Cartography(HOLSC)

2011

Digitalen Geländemodells desOderwasserlaufes (DGM-W Oder-2011) –numerical terrain model of Odra waterway

Wasser- undSchifffahrtsamtesEberswalde

2011 - aerial laserscanning

2006, 2008 and 2009 -bathymetry of theWestern and EasternOdra

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Orthophotomap for Poland Head Office of LandSurveying and Cartography

2011 and 2012

Orthophotomap for Germany Landesvermessung undGeobasisinformationBrandenburg

2016

Topographic object database (BDOT10k) Head Office of LandSurveying and Cartography

2012-2013

Land cover and development for Germany OpenStreetMap 2017

Inventory of hydraulic structures along thebanks of the Odra in km from 0.0 to 29.5, theEast Odra (Regalica) in km from 704.0 to730.0 and the Obnica in km from 0.0 to 1.1

Precyzja S.C. 13-27.06.2017

Photographic documentation of Międzyodrzearea

SWECO Consulting sp. zo.o.

17.05.2017

Data from geodetic measurements of cross-sections of the Odra and the Western Odra

National WaterManagement Authority(KZGW)

2012

Hydrological data

The largest rainfall and storm floodsrecorded on the Lower Odra at selectedwater gauge stations (IMGW_PIB 2017a)

Institute of Meteorologyand Water Management –National Research Institute(IMGW-PIB)

2017

Water levels for the largest rainfall and stormwater for Gartz and Mescherin gauges on theWestern Odra

Regional WaterManagement Board inSzczecin

2017

Values of water levels and maximum annualflows with a specified probability ofexceeding, together with hypotheticalhydrographs in the water level gaugesections Szczecin - Most Długi, Gozdowice,Bielinek (IMGW-PIB 2017b)

Institute of Meteorologyand Water Management –National Research Institute

2017

Other data, including hydraulic models for other studies

Report on the development of flood hazardmaps and flood risk maps

National WaterManagement Authority

2015

1D hydraulic model for the Odra River fromthe Bielinek water gauge to the Gryfino watergauge for a 0.2%, 1% and 10% floodprobability


2015

2D hydraulic model for the Odra River fromthe Gryfino water gauge to the Trzebieżwater gauge for a 0.2%, 1% and 10% floodprobability


2015

Source: own studies

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Modelling is based on the following assumptions:

§ Międzyodrze is a natural flood plain, which plays an important role in limiting the effectsof floods, caused both by rainfall and the so-called "backwater", by accepting flood water;

§ as activities that could potentially result in increasing the water-retention capability, itwas assumed: repair and modernisation of embankments, restoration of functioning ofhydrotechnical devices, clearing and deepening of canals, restoration of flow in the area;

§ based on DEM, the following data was introduced: bathymetry of riverbeds and canals,geometry of inventoried hydrotechnical structures, water management instruction for theweir in Widuchowa, appropriate coefficients of roughness corresponding to the conditionof canals (in some cases completely overgrown with blocked flow) were introduced, aswell as available data on states and flows for historical high water waves were introduced.

The calculations were carried out for 3 scenarios [Q10% - probability of occurrence once every10 years, Q1% - probability of occurrence once every 100 years, Q0.2% - probability of occurrenceonce every 500 years].

Three modelling variants were selected:

1) Variant "0" - mapping of the current state in terms of functioning of hydrotechnicaldevices, embankment and canal condition, in which Międzyodrze area is a natural floodpolder;

2) Variant "1" - the purpose of the analysis of this variant was to examine the effects on floodprotection related to further shallowing and overgrowing of Międzyodrze canals;

3) Variant "2" - in which the effects on flood protection were analysed, which can beachieved by creating a controlled inundation washland by: sealing and aligning theembankment crown, dredging 50% of Międzyodrze canals - deepening them by 0.5 mincluding the exclusion of natural valuable canals from the works (value determined onthe basis of the average amount of sediment stuck in the bottom of the canals), restoringthe efficiency and control of hydrotechnical devices to delay the culmination of the floodwave culmination.

The analyses carried out as part of modelling indicated that the retention capacity of Międzyodrzeand its possible increase does not have a significant impact on reducing the effects of potentialfloods. The total retention capacity of Międzyodrze is about 140 million m3, which is about 5% ofthe flood wave volume for floods with a probability of occurring every 100 years. It was also statedthat as a result of the implementation of technical measures planned under the contract, there willbe no significant increase in the flood protection significance of the area. Additional capacitypossible to obtain, as a result of cleaning and deepening of selected channels and repair ofembankments and water facilities accounts for a few percent of the currently available capacity.The possibility of optimising the use of the existing retention volume by restoring control of inletdevices by making it available at the right moment was also analysed. It was found that in this wayit is not possible to flatten a flood wave, but only to have an insignificant impact, in terms of itsflood protection effect, on the delayed high water in the earlier phase of the wave. In addition,controlling multiple devices to produce the described effect would be complicated. Figures No. 4and 5 schematically show the relationships between Międzyodrze and flood waves.

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Figure No. 4 The floodplain area and volume for the Międzyodrze area for floods with a flow probability of Q10%

Figure No. 5 The floodplain area and volume for the Międzyodrze area for floods with a flow probability of Q1%

It was also found that the embankments surrounding the Międzyodrze area are not floodembankments. If they were to be part of a flood control structure, comprehensive modernisationwould be necessary to achieve the right parameters.

The final report on hydraulic modelling, containing a description of the methodology, scope ofanalyses performed and conclusions is included in Appendix No. 3.

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4.4. Testing of physico-chemical properties of waters and bottomsediments

Due to the identified risk of contamination of sediments in the Międzyodrze channels, surveys ofseabed sediments were carried out as part of the preparatory works to determine the content ofcontaminants in the potential excavated material. The samples were taken from 10 spots [April2018]. The choice of location was dictated by the possibility of obtaining a full spectrum of contentof the tested substances within Międzyodrze and the possibility of determining the dependenceof the amount of residues on the location. The samples were tested for the content of heavy metalsand organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls.The conducted studies were preliminary in nature and their aim was to verify the informationraised at the consultation stage, indicating the possibility of accumulation of hazardoussubstances in the Międzyodrze area. Despite the trace amounts of dangerous substances found inone of the samples taken (arsenic), the results of the tests did not confirm these concerns.However, it cannot be excluded that a large scale of sediment removal works may result in theproblem of contaminants remaining in the sediments. In the case of dredging works being carriedout in the area, however, it is necessary to re-examine the places where the works are carried outto determine the possible way of dealing with the excavated material.

Water quality research was conducted on the basis of the results of monitoring carried out by theChief Inspector of Environmental Protection. Complete information on the methodology andconclusions in the field of water quality testing and results of bottom sediment measurements canbe found in Appendix No. 4.

For analysis and inference on the condition of water quality in the Międzyodrze area data fromthe following measuring and control points located in individual water bodies were used:

§ The control points within the Odra River body from the Warta River to the Western Odraare the Odra River in Widuchowa, the Odra River above the Rurzyca estuary, and Odra -below Słubia estuary village called Osinów). These points are located in the upper OdraRiver, thanks to which it was possible to test the quality of water flowing into Międzyodrzearea.

§ In the area of Międzyodrze itself (the water body of the Odra River from the Western Odrato Parnica) there are points: Western Odra - motorway (the village of Siadlo Dolne), fromwhich waters are used to supply people with drinking water, Western Odra - in Mescherin,Eastern Odra - estuary to Dąbie lake(Szczecin-Most Cłowy).

§ Outside the Międzyodrze area, as part of the Odra water body from Parnica to the estuary,there is one point in the northern part of Szczecin at the height of Dąbie lake Western Odra- UMS Base (Szczecin).

Based on the tests carried out since 2012 at all measuring points, according to the Regulation ofthe Minister of the Environment of 21 July 2016. on the method of classifying the status ofhomogeneous bodies, surface water bodies and environmental quality standards for prioritysubstances are classified as BAD with poor ecological potential. The main factors determining thebad mark were the biological elements. The physico-chemical elements had much better values,classifying these elements to both class I and II, but also in some cases to the class "below goodpotential".

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The assessment of physico-chemical elements was carried out based on the results of tests onindicators characterising the physical state, oxygen conditions, organic pollutants, acidificationand biogenic conditions.

The physico-chemical analysis showed the eutrophication of waters mainly through the followingindicators: ammonium nitrogen (waters flowing into Międzyodrze), nitrate nitrogen (watersflowing into Międzyodrze and waters flowing out of the Międzyodrze), nitrite nitrogen (watersflowing into Międzyodrze), and above all through phosphates, where each research year therewas abnormality in the waters of the Międzyodrze, as well as in waters flowing in and out of thearea. There is also a downward trend in phosphates, which gives rise to hope for an improvementin this indicator in the future.

The salinity of waters in the Międzyodrze area and in the waters flowing out of the Międzyodrzearea was shown to a lesser extent.

4.5. Climate change and adaptation processes

Taking into account the scope of the planned works, which may result in a change in waterconditions and the characteristics of the area in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and binding,it was necessary to analyse the potential impact on climate change. A comprehensive analysis andconclusions can be found in Appendix No. 5.

Within Międzyodrze, there is a major part of one of the largest aggregates of fluviogenous peatbogs in Poland with peat deposits and alluvial soils. On the one hand, it is a huge "warehouse" ofcoal withdrawn from the atmosphere, on the other hand, a source of emissions of the so-called"greenhouse gases" to the atmosphere. The nature and scale of this process depend to a largeextent on water conditions and land use.

The aim of the analysis was to determine the key parameters of these resources: organic andalluvial soils, and the structure and trends of changes in time of Miedzyodrze vegetation units.Knowledge was to form the basis for the assessment of changes in greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions from the Międzyodrze soils in relation to the diversity of uses and the various levels ofsoil moisture.

Firstly, the water conditions related to water levels and flows (the lowest, average and maximum)determined on the basis of hydrological modelling of Odra Valley for the purposes of the floodprotection project were analysed. The analysis of selected environmental parameters aimed atoptimisation of activities aimed at improvement of natural conditions and protection of selectedelements of nature and environment was also performed. In particular, it was about the maximumreduction of greenhouse gas emissions, counteracting decession of the peat deposit and relateddisturbances in functioning of the hydrological system of Odra Valley, loss of carbon resourcesaccumulated in organic as well as organic and mineral sediments, and degradation of protectednatural habitats and species.

Międzyodrze is a peatland site containing significant resources of organic carbon, so far excludedfrom the atmospheric circulation. The potential restoration of agricultural use of drained peatsoils is associated with the risk of high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere. Thearea of Międzyodrze is diversified into washlands with different hydrological, soil and biocenoticconditions. The least exposed to anthropogenic pressure is southern washland (soils), then thecentral washland and the most exposed is northern washland. In terms of the naturalness of

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vegetation and its biodiversity, the ranking of these areas is the opposite. For several dozen years,Międzyodrze ecosystem has undergone dynamic changes. The analyses carried out showed thatthe Międzyodrze area is sensitive to changes in water relations, both to lowering and raising thegroundwater level. Both phenomena can lead to peat soil degradation and the release of largequantities of greenhouse gases.

5. Conclusions - hydrological and natural model

Based on the studies listed in chapter 2, a hydraulic and natural model was prepared, constitutingAppendix No. 6 to this Report. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the scope foraction that can be taken, including its effects and effects. On the basis of the above two groups ofconclusions were formulated:

I. Międzyodrze as an element of flood safety system:

1) Międzyodrze area takes part in limiting the effects of flooding by acting as a naturalfloodplain, which fills up as the water level rises, taking into account the terrain(embankments, canals, terrain) and technical conditions (Widuchowa weir, locks, othertechnical equipment);

2) The maximum retention potential of Międzyodrze, measured by the amount of water thatcan be accumulated in the Międzyodrze area, is about 140 million m3 at the volume offlood waves: Q10% - 5,416 million m3, Q1% - 7,815 million m3;

3) The current state of water facilities that can be used to increase the retention potentialprevents their use:

§ the embankments surrounding the area were devastated as a result of lack ofmaintenance works, resulting in the occurrence of heterogeneous height of the topof embankment, poor technical condition or loss of the embankment. Theembankments are a place of occurrence of natural habitats - riparian forests,whose occurrence depends on the current of the river;

§ water facilities (utility and navigable locks, cofferdams, weirs), not used andunserved, have been damaged and are unable to perform their original function,i.e. regulating the flow of water;

§ the Międzyodrze channels, as a result of water flow limitation, become overgrownand disappear, which results in increasing the water flow limitation andaccelerating the dynamics of these phenomena;

4) As activities that may contribute to increasing the retention capacity of the Międzyodrzearea, the following were adopted:

§ modernisation of the embankment (levelling, elevation of the ordinate);§ deepening and removing vegetation from selected channels, which contribute the

most to limiting the possibility of water flow;§ the restoration of the functioning of technical installations in order to control the

flow of water;5) Conditions, including natural conditions, influencing the possibility of achieving the

expected effects:§ limited area - the area is limited by two branches of the river, it is not possible to

enlarge it;§ embankment modernisation is limited by the occurrence of riparian forests, a

habitat protected in the Natura 2000 area. This measure is also an element that

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raises objections of some natural experts, who see the existence of embankmentsas the main cause of negative changes occurring in the nature of the area;

§ cleaning the bottom (dredging) of the canals, selected in terms of achieving theassumed flood objectives and environmental conditions, can contribute to anincrease in retention capacity (channel retention) by 0.7 million m3, which is aninsignificant amount in terms of reducing the effects of floods;

§ surveys of bottom sediments in the Międzyodrze channels, including theirquantity and quality, have identified possible problems during the worksimplementation phase related to the possibility of releasing the sediments andthus causing water turbidity in the channels and in the surrounding Międzyodrzewaters of the Odra River. As a measure to minimize the negative impact, it wasproposed to spread the planned works over a longer (10 years) period of time;

6) Flow control through hydrotechnical devices in Międzyodrze enables controlling andinfluencing the course of flood with a high probability of occurrence (10%). The impacton the flood with medium and low probability of flow is small and limited to the initialphase of the flood. At the moment when the water begins to overflow through the crownof Miedzyodrze embankments, it is impossible to control the course of the flood. Theimpact of the proposed activities decreases with the increase of the flood wave volume;

7) Finding the optimal control rules for the complex system that constitutes Międzyodrzetogether with dozens of facilities controlling water flow is a very complicated taskrequiring many iterations of calculations and analysis of the results obtained;

8) Significant limitations in the possibility of forcing water flow in the canals were found,which resulted from the limited impact of the damming Widuchowa weir, whoseinfluence on the water level differences decreases with the movement in the northerndirection. Lack of flow in the channels would lead to rapid loss of effect achieved bycleaning and dredging works. The occurrence of barriers in the form of communicationroutes (roads on embankments) dividing the area was also considered a significantlimitation;Progressive eutrophication and landings with negative effects on the flow in the smalland medium-sized channels of the Odra River, which may result in the completeovergrowth of the channels and may also reduce the retention capacity, both in terms ofusable volume and the time at which it can be used.

II. Międzyodrze as a natural object:

1) The restoration (enabling and inducing) of the flow in the Międzyodrze canal network wasconsidered a desirable phenomenon, both in the context of flood control activities.Enabling the flow is connected with unblocking the channels and inlet and outlet devices(purification and deepening), and inducing the flow is possible by causing a hydrologicaldrop, including the use of the Widuchów weir and hydrotechnical devices located in theMiędzyodrze embankment;

2) The lack of a steady flow and the accompanying intensive eutrophication have an adverseeffect on some populations and habitats, including fish populations. At the moment, manycanals are very overgrown, shallow with a bottom covered with a thick layer of silt. In thesummer it causes a significant decrease in the oxygen content in water, so-called"przyducha" (lack of oxygen). Changes in the number of bird species were also found,which are related to the replacement of meadow habitats;

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3) Taking into account the diagnosed processes and their adverse impact on environmentalvalues and the possibilities of limiting the retention potential, the scope of works aimed attheir slowdown has been proposed:

§ cleaning of locks and other hydrotechnical objects together with sectionsbefore/after the facilities [approx. 100 - 150 m];

§ improving flow conditions by cleaning selected channels of the top layer ofvegetation without interfering with the bottom;

§ dredging of canals [understood as a phase action, performed on various scales, butincluding short sections of small and medium canals] - as part of the dredgingprocess, deepening of canals with a total length not exceeding 20 km would berecommended [approx. 10% of the length of all canals in Międzyodrze area].

6. Social consultations

Międzyodrze as an area of exceptional natural values and attracting the attention of manystakeholders [not only due to the natural aspects, but also due to its tourist use and cross-bordernature] caused the need to develop an individual approach to the potential investment processand to conduct a dialogue with interested parties from the earliest stages of the Projectimplementation.

As a result, a public consultation, going beyond the obligations of an administrative procedure,was conducted to ensure the proper preparation of the Project, while respecting the voice ofindividual stakeholders.

The following actions were taken as part of the structured public consultation:

§ organisation of information and consultation conferences, providing information on aregular basis about the progress of works and their results;

§ reporting meetings with the World Bank during the World Bank Missions§ information and consultation point in Gryfino (Tourist Information Centre at ul.

Nadodrzańska 1);§ providing information by electronic means [e-mail];§ launch of the website [http://bs.rzgw.szczecin.pl/], on which information about the

Project was collected and materials available for download, i.e.:o inventory of Międzyodrze;o hydraulic and natural model;o summary of the modelling report [language versions: Polish and English];o presentations from the information and consultation conference - May 2018;o presentation from the 1st Project Conference - December 2018;

§ additional initiatives, such as the Water Round Table, organised in agreement with theCoalition Save the Rivers.

It should be concluded from the analysis of the course of consultations that Międzyodrze, as amultifunctional object, attracts the attention of various circles which have different expectationsregarding the function of the area, and thus different preferences in terms of actions and expectedeffects planned to be carried out in Międzyodrze. The course and results of consultations areincluded in Appendix No. 7 to this Report. The following are the most frequently presentedpositions:

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1) Międzyodrze loses its natural values because it is not a living riparian forest linked to theriver. The solutions proposed by the Consultant [Sweco] do not take into account thecomplexity of the riparian forest. Renaturalisation of Międzyodrze riparian forest - or atleast a partial lowering of flood embankments - would not only restore the hydro-morphological processes necessary for the revitalization of the riparian forest, but wouldalso be an element improving the ecological status of the watercourse [Social andEcological Initiative Centre Stary Zagon].

2) The situation at Międzyodrze and adjacent washlands requires improvement, also in theaspect of nature protection. Above all, regarding the enforcement of applicable laws. Thisapplies, for example, to illegal rubbish dumps and unauthorised motorboat rides. Moreimportant than building new technical structures or embankments would therefore be toenforce what already exists [Board of the Society of Friends of the German-PolishEuropean Lower Odra Valley National Park].

3) It should be accepted that some hydrotechnical structures, if necessary, would have to berepaired, but no new ones should be built [Board of the Society of Friends of the German-Polish European Lower Odra Valley National Park].

4) It would be beneficial if Międzyodrze had the status of a national park and the surroundingwashlands had the landscape park status [Board of the Society of Friends of the German-Polish European Lower Odra Valley National Park].

5) Under no circumstances should Miedzyodrze area be drained by artificial pumping ofwater or any other drainage method. The goal must be to maintain the year-round contactbetween Międzyodrze and the water levels in Eastern and Western Odra, and not tointerfere with the formation of peat, and thus the binding of CO2 [Board of the Society ofFriends of the German-Polish European Lower Odra Valley National Park].

6) Suggestions - leaving Międzyodrze as it is - no interference in the water network of thearea, no reconstruction of flood gates, no reconstruction of embankments - the areaperfectly fulfils its functions for flood protection and as a CO2 reservoir as well as aneffective nutrient filter for the Baltic Sea [Coalition Save the Rivers ].

7) Establishment of Międzyodrze National Park [Coalition Save the Rivers];8) Small tourist investments modelled on Biebrza, i.e. small paths to observation towers,

canoeing, canoe with a guide, support for small agritourism investment projects in thearea, as a controlled development of accommodation facilities [Coalition Save the Rivers];

9) Limitation for large investments threatening the preservation of good condition of theenvironment and landscape in the present state - the main attraction of the region[Coalition Save the Rivers];

10) Small-scale investments are possible [e.g. removal of small parts of old dikes - near the old,inactive locks], which can be characterised by benefits for both nature protection andwater quality, as well as flood protection [Coalition Save the Rivers].

11) Many years of neglect due to the lack of established active protection measures for thearea of Międzyodrze over time have led to a significant natural succession of this area[Gryfino Town and Commune].

12) Shallowing of a considerable area of Miedzyodrze canals, lack of water flows, and thus thecreation of anaerobic conditions, is conducive to the impoverishment of flora and faunaoccurring in the area of Międzyodrze, often unique on a European scale. This process alsohas a negative impact on the broadly understood tourism and attractiveness of this areafor tourists and residents of Gryfino [Gryfino Town and Commune];

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13) A different approach to the protection of Miedzyodrze nature and undertaking ofrevitalisation activities of this area is required. Abandoning treatments that restore thepatency of canals, failure to remove foreign and invasive species will result in thesubsequent years of succession and shallowing [Gryfino Town and Commune].

14) In the opinion of Gryfino Commune, the considerable importance of Międzyodrze in floodprotection can not be ignored. Ensuring good state of the canals, their patency andappropriate depth in the whole area will allow Gryfino Commune to be protected againstflood waters and frequently occurring backwater [Gryfino Town and Commune].

15) Due to the fact that the hydrotechnical development of Międzyodrze is included in thevoivodeship register of monuments and is indicated as an area of historic cultural value(Spatial Development Plan of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship), the participation ofconservation services should be taken into account when planning and implementingactivities. [Provincial Monument Conservator].

7. Financial summaryThe sum of funds spent on preparatory work for the implementation of the Task amounted to PLN731 848 net of tax.

8. SummaryThe conducted analyses show that Międzyodrze in its existing state participates in the reductionof flood effects by accepting flood water bodies as a natural flood polder. The total retentioncapacity of the area resulting from calculations using a hydraulic model was determined at 140million m3, which is about 5% of the flood wave volume with a probability of occurring once every100 years. At the same time, the results of the simulations carried out indicate that the actionsthat can be implemented (control by restoring the operation of hydrotechnical devices, cleaningsome of the channels, repairing existing embankments) will not significantly increase the existingretention capacity. The scope of work analysed took into account potential environmental(primarily environmental) restrictions. Possible increase in retention by deepening the channelsis about 0.7 million m3.

In environmental terms, it should be stated that the progressive succession and terrestrializationof river branches and canals within the Międzyodrze area are caused by a small and steadilydecreasing flow (blocking the flow of water within the former locks, crossing the network ofchannels within the Międzyodrze area by connection fills). At the moment, many canals are veryovergrown, shallow with a bottom covered with a thick layer of silt. In the summer it causes asignificant decrease in the oxygen content in water, so-called "przyducha" (lack of oxygen). Thisadversely affects selected elements of the environment, including the population of fish and birds.This process is exacerbated by the lack of continuous flow in most of the channels and very rapideutrophication of the Międzyodrze waters and may result in the complete overgrowth of thechannels, thus reducing the total retention capacity - both in terms of usable volume and the timeat which it can be filled.

During the preparatory works, in accordance with the principle of transparency, stakeholders,including natural scientists, NGOs and local communities, were kept informed about the progressof conceptual work and the conclusions drawn. At all stages, interested parties were encouragedand encouraged to express their own opinions and comments. It should be noted that due to

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different expectations in relation to the function of Międzyodrze, there is no unanimity ofinterested entities as to the legitimacy of taking actions in this area and its scale.

On the basis of the above mentioned analytical and research works, including broad publicconsultations, the following indications should be formulated:

1) Due to the lack of significant effects on flood protection, which can be achieved as a resultof planned technical works, it is justified to abandon their implementation in the originalscope;

2) Due to the significant importance for biodiversity and the type and dynamics of identifiednatural processes taking place in Międzyodrze, the possibility of carrying out maintenanceworks related to the restoration of water circulation should be considered. The obtainedeffect will also be beneficial from the point of view of maintaining the existing retentionpotential;

3) When developing the scope and scale of activities, the target function of the area shouldbe defined so as to achieve the best results in relation to outlays, taking into account social,environmental and cultural aspects, by means of implemented activities.

4) The materials developed during the preparatory works should be widely publicised withthe possibility of using them by the interested parties to develop area management plansand the possibility of obtaining funds for the implementation of the activities.

9. Appendices

The Final Report contains two summaries in English: Appendix 2 - file Summary results of thenature inventory for task 1A.3 and Appendix 6 - file Final report recapitulation of actions takenfor modelling and nature inventory 1A.3. Other files are attached in Polish.

1) Geodetic inventory of water facilities2) Report on wildlife inventory3) Report on hydraulic modelling4) Testing of physico-chemical properties of waters and bottom sediments5) Analysis of climate changes and adaptation processes6) Hydrological and natural model – appendix 3 Animacje, due to the format requires the use

of the 7-zip program7) Report on public consultations

for task 1a

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