Summary:

These issues concern a section of the Lower Oder River which is approximately 110 km long, as well as the Lake Dąbie. They are jointly addressed by the two neighbouring countries. The key objective of the modernisation is to improve the conditions for navigation on the whole border section of the Oder River. It is supposed to ensure minimum depths of about 1.8 m at minimum firm flows in the Oder River, equal to 228 m³·s^-1 on the section from the outlet of the Warta River to Widuchowa and 151 m³·s^-1 from the outlet of the Lusatian Neisse River to the outlet of the Warta River. Another important objective is to improve the efficiency of ice-breaking operations and thus mitigate the risks caused by ice jamming. The channel of the Oder River was regulated in early 19th century with the use of a system of spurs located on both river banks. The regulation structures did not ensure the expected channel stability and navigable depths. In 1924–1941 corrections were made to the river regulation system with the use of spurs for the socalled low water level, however the efforts have never been completed. The crowns, heads and main bodies of the structures are damaged to a varying extent, and a number of erosion potholes are found between the spurs. As part of the modernisation, the implementation of a combined regulation system is envisaged. The principle is to build river walls, longitudinal dykes with crosspieces on concave curves and in the passages between the curves, and spurs on convex banks. It has also been decided to make use of those existing structures which are in a good condition to the extent possible. A good evidence for the rightness of this solution, based on a concept developed by Wierzbicki, is the section of the Odra River in the vicinity of Cedynia (km 666.3 – 669.45). In 1999–2003 the river regulation route was modernised there using a combined system. This has caused favourable hydraulic changes in the river channel. Inter alia, the crossovers which limited transit depths have disappeared. The authors envisage the identification of an appropriate river regulation route, using physical models. This effort will be undertaken jointly with German researchers.