Another lake has appeared on the map of Olsztyn

Lake Płociduga Duża was drained in the 19th century, and its areas were used as meadows for grazing horses. To this day, the only trace of this body of water is the reeds growing on this place, stretching between the Łyna River and Warszawska Street.

Heavy rains caused the water level in the Łyna River to rise. – In addition, beavers perforated the flood embankment and thanks to this, excess water from the Łyna flowed into the once drained Płociduga, which made this lake visible in the area again – said Professor Stanisław Czachorowski, ecologist and hydrobiologist from the University of Warmia and Mazury. According to Professor Jolanta Grochowska, head of the Department of Water Protection Engineering and Environmental Microbiology at the Faculty of Geoengineering at the University in Olsztyn, in addition to beavers, the regeneration of Płociduga was also caused by a blocked drainage system, e.g. clogged pipes. – The lake appeared as a result of the larger amount of water, but it should be expected that the water will subside and it will once again be a reed bed – stated Professor Grochowska. The former lake, drained over 100 years ago, has become a natural retention reservoir. In the opinion of Professor Czachorowski finds it hard to imagine a more environmentally friendly solution. He also believes, however, that the water from Płociduga will drain away and the lake will disappear again after some time. This is precisely what – as he explained – the areas above the floodplains are for: to spill excess water onto them. – I hope that no one will try to repair or seal the embankments so that the Łyna does not overflow. When there is heavy rainfall, the river has to overflow somewhere, and it is wonderful that it overflowed as it did – said the professor.

After the recent rainfall, the Łyna River flooded the meadows near the village of Bartąg. Olsztyn. The embankments in this place were reinforced by the army. – It's unfortunate – these meadows should also be flooded, that's how nature works – said Prof. Czachorowski. In his opinion, even a short-term presence of the lake in this place will have positive environmental effects. Along with the overflow of water from the Łyna riverbed to Płociduga, Łynostrada, a bicycle path led by a causeway, was also flooded. The Olsztyn City Office closed this part of Łynostrada to use. – The very high water level in Łyna caused the causeway to be saturated with water, which makes it impossible to repair it at the moment – informed Ewelina Górska from the Communication and Education Team of Polish Waters in Białystok. She announced that the Olsztyn Catchment Board will begin repairing the embankment after the water level in the river drops. She added that “apart from the flooded bike path, there is no threat to human life or health or damage to property.”

There are 11 lakes and five smaller bodies of water within the borders of Olsztyn. The largest is Lake Ukiel, also known as Krzywe (412 hectares). Ukiel is connected to Lake Długie (26.8 ha) via Lake Czarne (1.3 ha). Lake Sukiel (20.8 ha) lies between the bays of Krzywe, and to the north of Długie – Lake Podkówka (7 ha). The second largest is Lake Kortowskie (89.7 ha), neighbouring the smallest Lake Modrzewiowe (0.2 ha) and Lake Starodworskie (6 ha). The lowest lying lake is Lake Redykajny (29.9 ha), near which there are lakes Tyrsko (18.6 ha) and Żbik (1.2 ha). To the east of Olsztyn, Lake Skanda (51.1 ha) adjoins the pine forest. To the north of it lies Lake Track (52.8 ha), the only one in the city that is the result of human activity, and Lake Pereszkowo (1.2 ha).