Changes of the Morphology of the Ropa River — Upstream and Downstream of the Klimkowka Water Reservoir

The paper outlines changes in the channel morphology of the Ropa riverbed over the last six years, taking into account the role of large floods and the Klimkowka water reservoir in shaping the morphology of the riverbed. The analysis was based on annual geodetic measurements of the Ropa riverbed conducted between 2009–2014. The research was carried out in four cross profiles of the riverbed located upstream (1 profile) and downstream (3 profiles) of the reservoir. In order to recognise the direction and scale of morphology changes of the riverbed, additional analyses of water levels in the Ropa River was performed in the analysed multiannual period. The conducted analysis led to the conclusion that floods with extremely large discharges are the key factor causing the deepening of the riverbed downstream from the reservoir. It can be up to about 70 cm deep during a single event. The reservoir is just one additional factor of many which shape the direction and scale of changes to the riverbed. A significant role in modifying the riverbed morphology upstream from the reservoir is played by river control works, which diminish the effects of sediment accumulation occurring on this section.