Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4
Effect of a small dam reservoir on the water temperature in a Carpathian river
Geographia Polonica (2017) vol. 90, iss. 4, pp. 481-491 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org//10.7163/GPol.0107
Abstract
The article presents the evolution of water temperature changes in the Wisłok river (the upper Vistula basin)as an effect of Besko reservoir, existing since 1978, with a capacity of 15 million m3. The thermal effect of thissmall Carpathian reservoir is compared to that of larger reservoirs located in the region. As has been found in the analysis, the direction (increase or decrease) of the annual water temperature variations in the Wisłokas a consequence of the thermal conditions in the reservoir is the same as in other Carpathian rivers downstream of larger reservoirs. On the other hand, the scale of that effect is much smaller and it is observablein a shorter section of the river compared to other rivers with reservoirs. Therefore, the thermal effects of Beskoreservoir may be considered of little significance for the natural environment.
Keywords: water temperature, dam, reservoir, river, Carpathians
[wieja@zg.pan.krakow.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania PAN
[kwesoly@krakow.rzgw.gov.pl], The Regional Water Management Board in Kraków Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 22, 31-109 Kraków: Poland