The Natural Nida Project is being implemented in the Nida River Valley, along a section of approximately 39 km between the towns of Brzeźno and Pińczów. The project area is a valuable ecological corridor of supra-regional importance, which has lost many of its natural functions over the past few decades due to drainage and regulation works. These changes have led to the destruction of the valley’s water retention capacity, disruption of the river’s ecological continuity, restricted migration of aquatic organisms, and increased flood risk in residential and agricultural areas.

The main goal of the project is to restore the flow of the Nida River Valley’s ecological corridor, restore its natural hydrological and ecological functions, and reduce flood risk. Implementation of the planned activities will improve the quality of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, restore biodiversity, and restore natural balance in this section of the catchment.

A key element of the project is the removal of existing migration barriers that prevent the free movement of fish and other aquatic organisms. The project will also include restoring natural floodplains, increasing the valley’s water retention capacity, activating oxbow lakes, and improving the hydrological regime. This will allow the Nida River Valley to regain its natural water storage capacity, which will translate into greater ecosystem resilience to extreme hydrological phenomena.

The project involves six main investment projects, encompassing both hydraulic engineering and renaturalization:

⦁ Increasing surface and subsurface retention in the town of Umianowice
These projects include the reconstruction and expansion of the drainage ditch system, the installation of measurement devices, and streamlining water drainage from the catchment area. These activities will improve environmental and water conditions, and the town will gain better flood protection.

⦁ Restoring the ecological corridor of the Nida River and its tributaries
These activities will focus on clearing eight migration barriers by rebuilding reinforced concrete weirs and constructing fish passes, which will enable the free migration of fish and other aquatic organisms.

⦁ Restoring the Mierzawa River’s ecological corridor
The work will involve the dismantling of weir barriers and replacing them with natural sections of the riverbed and fish ladders. Restoring the Mierzawa River’s ecological continuity will be crucial for the protection of local fish species.

⦁ Revitalization of the Nida River’s oxbow lake in Brzeźno
Plans are to partially irrigate the oxbow lakes, deepen them, and restore water flow. This will allow for the restoration of natural habitats, including peat bogs, and create favorable conditions for the European beaver, otter, and many fish species.

⦁ Revitalization of the Pińczów Reservoir and the Nida River’s oxbow lakes near the Pińczów sewage treatment plant
The scope of work includes drainage, reinforcement, and maintenance work that will improve the functioning of the reservoir, improve water flow, reduce flood risk, and enhance the recreational value of the area.

⦁ Restoration of the Nida River inland delta
This project involves the demolition of flood embankments, and the restoration of the Old Nida Riverbed and natural floodplains. This will allow for the expansion of the ecological corridor, improved valley retention, and enhanced flood protection.

Implementation of all planned activities will enable the restoration of natural processes in the Nida River Valley. The project will deliver numerous environmental benefits, such as improved water quality, increased biodiversity, a strengthened fish population, and the development of habitats for many protected species. At the same time, the investment will positively impact the safety of residents by reducing flood risk.

The project is aimed at:

• Residents of local communities in the lower Nida region, in particular those living in the vicinity of the project implementation area.
• Farmers and landowners, people directly involved in the use of land in the vicinity of the project activities.
• Local governments, municipal and county authorities, which play a key role in the implementation of activities at the local level.
• Non-governmental organizations and environmental groups active in the field of nature conservation and biodiversity, which can support and promote the project.
• The media, as a tool for the wide dissemination of information about the project and its effects.

The project “Restoring the biodiversity of the Nida Valley by rebuilding ecological corridors and increasing soil retention” is implemented by the State Water Management Authority, financed by the European Funds for Eastern Poland 2021-2027. This guarantees that all work will be carried out in accordance with the highest standards and that information on progress will be widely available. Thanks to financial support, it is possible to carry out comprehensive activities that combine environmental protection goals with improving the hydrological safety of the region.

Project value (total project cost):
The planned total cost of the project is PLN 94,500,000.00.

Amount of European Funds contribution:
The co-financing for the project is PLN 76,500,000.00.

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