Socjohydrologiczne ujęcie relacji rzeka – człowiek w dnie doliny Wisły

Abstract

SOCIOHYDROLOGY APPROACH OF MEN -RIVER RELATIONSHIPS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VISTULA VALLEY

Until the second half of the 19th century, man used the environmental resources of the bottom of the Vistula valley, interfering with them only slightly. From the Stone Age, settlements on the Vistula River intensifi ed, but settlements were erected at a safe distance from the riverbed. Extensive use of the river for fishing and water intake did not disturb the hydromorphological processes. Therefore, the first signifi cant human pressure may have been the felling of trees in the floodplain in 400 BC – 200 CE. These activities accelerated the flow of flood waters on the floodplain while lowering their level. In the research section, the permanent development of the valley bottom began in the 13th century with the location of Spytkowice village. However, the gradual development of settlement up to Łączany was not intense. The densification of the buildings continues until the present day. However, it does not spread beyond the roles occupied in the 18th century. The Vistula was used for rafting. This caused attempts to turn the Vistula into the main transport route. From the time of the first hydrotechnical works, between 1869 and 1875, until the construction of the Smolice barrage in 2002, the Vistula bed was signifi cantly shortened and narrowed. These changes led to the incision of the channel. The construction of levees severed the natural connectivity between the river and its floodplain. Human activities have made the Vistula River even more dangerous due to erosion of the bottom and possible flooding in the event of the embankments breaking.