CLIMADAM PROJECT: A SEMINAR ON THE INTEGRATED PROTECTION OF THE ROŇAVA RIVER BASIN

Roňava is a small river springing in the Slanské vrchy, which flows into the East Slovakian lowlands and flows into Bodrog near the village of Borša.

Roughly “halfway” it flows through Michaľany, where there is a water meter station. In times of drought, the water level measured in this water meter station is 15 cm. Several times a year, the water level exceeds 200 cm, which in this case means the announcement of flood activity. It happens so often that the question arises as to what is causing it.

Discussion, information about the elaboration of the study, but also other topics were the content of the meeting, which took place on June 8, 2021 in Michaľany village.

A comprehensive study of the integrated protection of the Roňava river basin was presented by Jaroslav Tešliar, who coordinates its preparation. The intention for the elaboration of a comprehensive study “Our Roňava” is to develop proposals and solutions for adaptation to climate change at the local level, to reduce the threat of floods from extreme rainfall which are appearing more often also because of the climate change, to involve local people so that climate change issues become a public matter, the solution of which will contribute to the improvement of their lives, to increased security and to the protection of biodiversity, and to the design of pilot activities with supporting documentation.

Other presentations were intended to provide accompanying additional information, as well as stimuli for discussion. Information was provided on the expected climate change, which comes from the Adaptation Strategy to the negative consequences of climate change in Košice Self-governing Region. Michal Kravčík presented the Water Board Plan for the Roňava River Basin. An interesting, sometimes overlooked aspect is the impact of water on the economy, ie how the lack of water negatively affects the local economy. Several types of measures are proposed, such as restoration of tree planting, conservation of seedlings, support for the establishment of forest nurseries; catching water flowing from the forest – small reservoirs, breeding ponds; grooves on forest roads with infiltration pits, infiltration belts; measures to retain rainwater in the forest.

Jaroslav Štefanko explained the contribution of land improvements to increasing biodiversity in the village of Nový Ruskov. Successfully completed land improvements will create space for the implementation of the local territorial system of ecological stability, ie for the planting of windbreaks and other vegetation elements in the country. If landscaping were just about the consolidation of land, then in nature their contribution would be essentially invisible.

Part of the preparation of the study is also a survey among the inhabitants of the Roňava river basin, which is coordinated by sociologist Gizela Brutovská. Part of the survey was conducted directly at the meeting.

During the discussion, several residents of the river basin commented on the topic of floods. Some answers were provided directly by the employees of the Slovak Water Management Company, who were present at the meeting.

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CLIMADAM project is financed by EEA Grants and Budget of Slovak Republic.

CLIMADAM – Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Mitigation Steps for SK – UA crossborder region

Project code: GGC01008