Posted on August, 09 2001

Warsaw, Poland - An obsolete flood protection strategy was largely to blame for the recent devastating floods in Poland, according to preliminary research from WWF, the conservation organization.

WWF research in the areas worst hit by the flooding has shown that the Polish government has done little to modernize flood protection strategies since the last major floods in 1997. Houses have continued to be built in areas most in danger from floods even though local people have said that if they were given assistance from the authorities they would be happy to move. In addition, dykes that were viewed as being largely responsible for the 1997 floods are still being rebuilt in the same areas, rather than being removed to give more space for water.

"Following the flooding of the Oder river in 1997 and now the flooding of the Vistula, it is obvious that the Polish government needs to reassess how it manages its rivers," said Piotr Nieznanski of WWF Poland. "It is clear that the exclusively technical approach such as building dykes to protect people from flood waters can only lead to further catastrophe."

WWF is also concerned that despite the floods, the Polish government has recently signed an agreement with a consortium of companies to build a new dam, the Nieszawa dam. Building this dam could seriously increase the risk of floods in the future, according to a recent WWF study.

WWF is therefore calling on the Polish government to instead use its money to urgently put in place EU standards for management of rivers. The EU standards safeguard the natural functions of rivers and help to prevent the destructive effects of digging channels and building dykes and dams when more sustainable means for meeting needs for water and energy are readily available. In particular, WWF believes the Polish government must place emphasis on widening high-level water beds by moving embankments farther from the main river bed where possible. WWF has already provided the Polish government with a study 'The Atlas of the Oder Floodplains' which includes extensive recommendations for ecologically sound flood protection strategies.

"Experience from the Rhine, Danube and Oder shows that natural approaches to managing rivers and flood plains are often more efficient and less damaging to people, land and wildlife," Mr. Niezananski added.

For further information:
Lisa Hadeed: Communications Manager Living Waters: tel: +41 22 364 9030, email: lhadeed@wwfint.org
Jacek Engel, WWF Vistula project leader: tel: +48 608 384242, email: jengel@wwf.pl

At present WWF conducts three projects on Polish rivers: Vistula, Oder and Biebrza. More details on: www.wwf.pl