history of the dam construction

The history dates back to the beginning of 20th century, and in particular the year 1905, when the first documents were generated concerning the planned construction of Czorsztyn reservoir.

Photograph 1 Picture taken in 1928, showing the Dunajec river below the castles in Czorsztyn and Niedzica

More practical implementation of mentioned general concepts consisted in the construction plans of four reservoirs at four most dangerous mountain tributaries of upper Vistula - in Rożnów and in Czorsztyn, on the Dunajec river, in Porąbka on the Soła river, and in Mucharz on the Skawa. It is little known that the initial plans were submitted for evaluation in 1919. The evaluation was to be made by an eminent specialist and constructor of many similar projects in Switzerland, the former Minister for Public Projects and, later, President of Poland - Gabriel Narutowicz. In effect of the disastrous flood in 1934, the government decided to build rapidly the Rożnów reservoir as the first hydro-engineering project on the Dunajec. The next planned reservoir was to be built in Niedzica. Appropriate documentation was developed in 1938-1939. In the post-war history, the opinions about the project evolved in parallel to the overall problems of water management and environment protection issues, which were crucial in the area of high natural and cultural value.

1950-64	The design studies and concepts of the planned reservoir included various solutions, The most radical one was the proposed reservoir of 600 million m3 capacity at Zielone Skałki with water transfer tunnel to Tylmanowa, where another reservoir was planned. The most reduced project proposed the substitution of Czorsztyn reservoir with a number of small reservoirs in the entire Dunajec basin. In 1963, this phase of engineering studies was completed with the proposed comprehensive project of Dunajec basin management. In effect of the evaluation of all projects, it was decided to implement a concrete dam in Niedzica, with the capacity limited to 250 million m3, and having no transfer tunnel.
1965-68	The official acceptance of the proposed version of the reservoir; acceptance of tentative project design after supplementary research and consultations.
1970-71	The project is structured into two development objectives: I - the management of the surrounding areas II - the essential facilities Launching the realisation of objective 1.
1970-71	Basic lines of Objective II are updated - resulting of the planned dam structure amendment: natural embankment dam rather than concrete one.
1975	Objective II is launched.
1986	The project is extended with the construction of sewerage system and purification plant in the reservoirs basin.
1994	The completion of compensatory reservoir Sromowce Wyżne.
1995	The main reservoir filling is started, with simultaneous implementation of the upper section of dam structure.
1997	Construction works are completed, and entire facility is received as operational.