The situation in the Oder River. The Crisis Management Team of the Ministry of Climate and Environment has issued further recommendation
20.06.2023
The heat waves that have just appeared in Poland are causing a sharp increase in water temperature in rivers, canals and reservoirs. In many places, it exceeds 20 °C and reaches 26 °C. The Crisis Management Team of the Ministry of Climate and Environment has issued the latest recommendations, indicating specific remedial actions that will help reduce the growth and toxic blooms of the 'golden algae.'
The Crisis Management Team of the Ministry of Climate and Environment recommends temporarily closing oxbow lakes and installing special-purpose dams with bio-stabilisers on their tributaries. This is intended to help reduce the spread of microscopic algae and protect fish from mass die-offs.
Moreover, it is suggested to temporarily suspend sluicing at sites where continuous monitoring by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ) indicates an increased abundance of 'golden algae'.
According to the adopted procedure, GIOŚ notifies the services of the threat of an invasive algal bloom within 1 hour. Water users are advised to constantly monitor the hydrological and meteorological situation, keep track of water parameters, and proactively manage discharges, including reducing them when low water levels occur. Specific guidelines in this regard have been sent to the Government Centre for Security.
The Crisis Management Team of the Ministry of Climate and Environment recommends the urgent implementation of the recommendations.