ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Changes in the Meandering Upper Odra River
as a Result of Flooding
Part I. Morphology and Biodiversity
Robert Kasperek
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Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences,
pl. Grunwaldzki 24, 50-363 Wroclaw, Poland
Submission date: 2015-08-05
Acceptance date: 2015-08-08
Publication date: 2015-11-27
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2015;24(6):2459-2465
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ABSTRACT
Several changes have been observed in the meandering river channel of the Upper Odra River as a result
of the many floods in its drainage basin that have occurred since 1903. In 1966 and 1997 the high stages, velocities,
and flow rates caused the waters to break through the banks of two meanders on the Polish-Czech border
in the vicinity of Chałupki (Poland) and Bohumin (Czech Republic). New distributaries were thus created.
River erosion combined with the settling and sedimentation of deposits contributed to silting up of the original
meanders, cutting them off and forming two oxbow lakes. In 2008 the site was acknowledged to be unique
because of the presence of rare natural habitats and fauna and flora species. Consequently, it was entered into
the Natura 2000 network. After the floods in 1997 and 2010 the valley of the meandering Odra underwent further
morphological and biodiversity changes.