The reservoir in Stronie Śląskie failed. There is a statement from Polish Waters

“Waters” remind us that the dam was built at the beginning of the 20th century. It was built to protect against flooding in the following towns: Stronie-Śląskie, Lądek-Zdrój, Radochów and Ołdrzychowice Kłodzkie.

On September 13, late in the evening, the reservoir began to rise (water began to accumulate in it). Almost a day later, the maximum level was reached, so the surface overflow was activated. “The reservoir crew lost the ability to safely control the dam’s devices. The employees working on the reservoir were the last to evacuate from the site,” the institution reports.

He took on a wave four times larger than the flow he was prepared for

On Sunday before noon – due to the constant pressure of water on the reservoir structure – the “earth dam was washed away and water flowed through the facility in a completely uncontrolled manner” – we read. It is worth providing the data mentioned by the institution here – the facility received a flood wave four times larger (320 cubic meters per second) than the flow it was prepared for (70-80 m3/s). “The exact causes of the reservoir failure must be investigated in detail” – emphasize the State Water Management Polish Waters.

The Institute, whose president is Joanna Kopczyńska, writes in a statement that on September 15, when water overflowed the earth dam, “the crisis management center in Stronie Śląskie was informed by the municipal guard present on site.” “This was the only possible means of communication at that time, because there was a complete lack of telephone and communication in the entire region,” “Wody” explains.

As we read, “the water supervision in Kłodzko received unofficial information that the earthen dam of the reservoir in Stronie Śląskie had broken through” just before noon. In the afternoon, this information was confirmed (it could not be confirmed earlier due to the lack of communication). “Wody” was also in constant contact with the Operational Center of the Regional Water Management Board in Wrocław.

Reservoir in Stronie Śląskie. Results of five-year and annual inspections

The reservoir operators reported the situation in the reservoir to the crisis management center in Stronie every hour. The institution also reports that the head of water supervision in Kłodzko informed the mayor late Saturday evening that an evacuation should begin. “Information about the necessary evacuation of the population was also provided by the operator of the Stronie Śląskie dam on Sunday” in the morning.

“Wody” reports that the hydrotechnical facilities are maintained in proper condition. “Spring and autumn inspections of water facilities are carried out annually,” we read. The facilities are also subjected to, among other things, “periodic inspections of their technical condition and (…) assessment of their technical condition and safety status.”

“The Hydrotechnical Construction Team Stronie Śląskie passed its last five-year inspection in 2022, and its last annual inspection in November 2023,” the institution informs. According to “Wody”, “based on the overall assessment of the technical condition and safety,” during an inspection two years ago, “it was found that the facility is in good condition.” “The safety condition was assessed as not posing a threat to safety,” we read. Also in 2023, during “tests and inspections,” it was found that “the subsoil, structure, anti-filtration devices, drainage devices and water permeation devices are in good condition.” “The condition of the control and measurement equipment was assessed as satisfactory,” “Wody” informs in Tuesday’s statement.