situation problem
At the beginning of the 1990s, it was planned to build a dam above the Rusyn municipality of Tichý Potok in the basin of the Torysa River. The dam was intended to supply the population of Košice and Prešov with drinking water. We have carried out a number of pilot projects in this area in cooperation with other conservation associations in Slovakia, and we have set up several camps under the name Blue Alternative. The dam was supposed to solve the drought problems, but we found a better and more effective way.
Goal of the Project
The aim of our project was to create water resources by retaining rainwater in a damaged ecosystem. The rainwater would then infiltrate into the soil and geological structures, create groundwater reserves and eventually emerge in the form of springs.
Solution
For the solution, we were inspired by the publication Permaculture by Bill Mollison from Australia and his principle of slowing down stormwater runoff from higher ground to lower ground, so that it has a chance to soak in and replenish the groundwater supply.
Implementation
The dikes were able to capture rainwater in a single pass, which was then absorbed into the soil to form springs and streams. Thanks to this micro-project, we were able to create a water source even in the driest season.
Results
Total water-holding capacity of the dikes approx. 83m3
New water springs that exist so far
Vegetation restoration
The Blue Alternative Spring did not dry up even during the worst drought (3 months without rain in spring 2009), while the other water bodies dried up
Widespread use in damaged, arid landscapes anywhere where it rains heavily at least once a year
Thanks to the blue alternative, several villages did not have to be resettled, for which Mr. Kravcik was awarded the Goldman Prize
Other Implementations
The Water Forest
In November 2004, a wind storm swept through the Tatra National Park. It not only left significant material damage, but also uprooted several hectares of forest. The ecosystem was significantly...
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