Summary:

The one of the Polish rivers richest in water with substantial flood hazard and important hydro-energy potential. Two large flood protection and hydroenergy schemes were constructed on the Upper Dunajec: Rożnów-Czchów and Czorsztyn-Sromowce Wyżne. Lower Dunajec extends downstream from the Czchów hydraulic barrage to the outflow to the Vistula and is 67.4 km long. Construction of two large hydraulic schemes resulted in the increase of the low and average discharges, however, simultaneously important disturbance of sediment transport occurred. A large amount of sediment is deposited in the reservoirs. As the result of this process, significant erosion was observed along the Lower Dunajec reaching in some places even 4 m. This process was increased by the sediment exploitation from the river channel. Due to flood problems several training works were executed along the Lower Dunajec. All these resulted in lowering of the river channel, which became a draining river. Stabilization of the river channel is possible by means of the construction of special weirs with inflatable gates. Construction of the weirs gives the possibility of using heads for hydro-energy. It is proposed to construct small hydraulic power plants, which would operate during low and average discharges.