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Cofunded by the European Union

RI Acronym : 
Slapy
Institution/Coordinating Institution : 
Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre CAS, v.v.i.
Other partners : 
Czechia
Country : 
Czech Republic
Current Status : 
Active
Location : 
Latitude 49°45’58" N, longitude 14°24’50" E
RI Type : 
Single Site RI (Geographically localised central facility)
Level of Access : 
National
Cost of Access : 
Other
(Negotiable)
Domains and thematic area : 
Ecosystems

The Slapy reservoir is a part of the so called Vltava Cascade. The dam was constructed at the 91.5 km of the Vltava River in years 1949–1955 and the reservoir impounded in 1955. The dam is 60 m high and 260 m long. Reservoir volume is 269×106 m3. Just below the Slapy dam, there is the end of impoundment of the lower small Štěchovice reservoir (built in 1938–1944). Only several small brooks enter the impoundment of the Slapy reservoir, the mean yearly flow through the Slapy reservoir is 85.2 m3 s-1 and the mean hydraulic retention time is 36 days. Until 1961, another large Orlík reservoir was built above the Slapy reservoir, a large Lipno reservoir was constructed in the upper part of the Vltava River, and several small reservoirs later on. The total catchment area of the Slapy reservoir is 12,968 km2.

The Slapy reservoir is a canyon shaped water body mostly with steep banks. An electric power station, working in peak hours (morning and evening), is located in the dam. As a consequence, periodic seiches occurred, water level fluctuates, and a littoral zone with aquatic plants is not developed. The reservoir is intensely used for recreation and locally as a drinking water source.

In 1959, regular investigations in the lower "lacustrine" part of the reservoir (10 km above the dam) were organized by Assoc. Prof. Jaroslav Hrbáček – the head of the hydrobiological department in the Biological Institute of Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences in Prague. The investigations have continued up to now at regular 3-week intervals, recently organized by the Institute of Hydrobiology (Biology Centre AS CR) in České Budějovice. Since 1996, the Slapy reservoir has been an LTER site. Regular investigations on physical and chemical parameters as well as on pelagic organisms (bacteria, protists, phytoplankton and zooplankton) in the reservoir are carried on. Long-term research in the reservoir has already yielded valuable results explaining the effects of population and land use changes in the catchment, such as the construction of the upper reservoir, changes in fertilizers application, new sewage treatment plants, etc.

Research Infrastructures

Other RI

The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.