About project ORFPP

Project financing

The Odra River Basin Flood Protection Project (ORFPP) was implemented with the assistance of international financing institutions which provide not only funding but also technical expertise and support in the implementation of large hydraulic projects. On May 11, 2007 a Loan Agreement was signed between the Polish Government and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. A Loan Agreement was also signed with the Council of Europe Development Bank. These Agreements defined the financing terms for the Odra River Basin Flood Protection Project as well as its main requirements and objectives. At that time, the cost of implementation of all Project works was estimated at about €505 million. However, this amount is still open since the final value of the Project will only be determined after the final account for the investments has been prepared.

The following financing sources were used under this Project:

the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
the Council of Europe Development Bank
the European Union Cohesion Fund
State budget funding

Purpose of ORFPP

The main objective of the Odra River Basin Flood Protection Project was to enhance flood protection for areas located in the Odra valley, from Racibórz downstream to Wrocław. This objective was achieved by the construction of the Racibórz dry polder and improvements to the flood control structures and facilities of the Wrocław Floodway System designed to increase the flood carrying capacity of the Odra River channels through and around Wrocław. The Project provided flood protection for the population living in Racibórz, Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Krapkowice, Opole, Brzeg, Oława, and Wrocław as well as other towns and villages located in the Odra valley in three voivodeships (regions): Śląskie, Opolskie, and Dolnośląskie.

The Odra River Basin Flood Protection Project comprised 4 components:

Component
A

Component A involved the construction of a dry polder in Racibórz. This dry polder was constructed over an area of 26 square kilometers and during flood events on the Odra River it will be able to store about 185 million cubic meters of water and thus reduce the flood peak. Two villages were located within the dry polder basin. Therefore, as part of this investment their residents were resettled since otherwise it would be impossible to operate this dry polder.

Component
B

Component Bof the Project involved the Modernization of the Wrocław Floodway System (WFS). Improvements to the system of the Odra channels and hydraulic structures located in the city of Wrocław and around will allow a flood wave with a flow rate of 3,100 m3/s to be safely conveyed through the city. In conjunction with the effect of the Racibórz dry polder, the WFS Modernization will provide protection against a flood comparable to that which occurred in 1997. It is estimated that during this flood the flow rate in the Odra upstream of Wrocław was about 3,700 m3/s.

Component
C

Component C f the Project was “Improving Flood Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Supervision of the Environmental Management Plan and the Resettlement Action Plan”.

Component
D

Component D “Project Management, Technical Assistance and Training”.

Component New village of Nieboczowy

The construction of the Racibórz dry polder caused resettlement of 700 people, about 250 families, residing in two villages situated within the proposed boundaries of the polder and the loss of land located in the polder’s boundaries by land owners residing outside the polder basin. The resettlement process implemented in connection with the construction of the Racibórz dry polder was the largest operation of relocation of the population, the so-called project affected persons (PAPs), for the purpose of construction of hydraulic structures in Poland. The lands designated for single-family residential housing and for the construction of municipal infrastructure were acquired by RZGW Gliwice and transferred to the former property owners in the village of Nieboczowy and the Municipality of Lubomia, respectively, in accordance with the rules defined in the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). This process was completed in 2015.

1road flyover

3pumping stations

3locks

4weirs

5fish passes

9bridges

22km of the dam and embankments around the Racibórz dry polder

37km of channels

138,6km of flood embankments

1,5hectares of riparian forests and several thousand planted trees

World Bank and Council of Europe Development Bank
Project Steering Committee (PSC)
Project Working Committee (PWC)
Project Coordination Unit (PCU)
Implementing Agencies / Project Implementation Units
International Dam Safety Panel of Experts
Technical Assistance Consultants
Contractors