The revitalization of the Svratka riverbank could start in Brno in 2020

Brno - The revitalization of the Svratka riverbank and the construction of flood protection along nearly three kilometers could begin in Brno in 2020. Brno is assessing the environmental impacts of the project. Thanks to it, the riverbank should become accessible, the riverbed will once again approach its natural state, and flood protection will significantly increase, as the new embankments will retain a hundred-year flood, according to a document on the EIA Information Portal.

Brno has been addressing comprehensive flood protection for many years following experiences with floods in 1997 and 2006. The work is divided into 28 phases, which will proceed according to their importance. The criteria include the extent of potential material damage and the number of affected people. The project concerns the section of the Svratka from Anthropos to the railway viaduct over Křídlovická. The left bank is less protected, where urban development is significantly denser. A hundred-year flood would overflow here to the Riviera, a small southern part of the exhibition grounds, to the area around Rybářská street up to Mendlovo náměstí, and further almost to Hybešova. The right bank would be significantly less affected by the water.

Currently, the protection is designed for a flow of 280 cubic meters per second; new measures would prevent river overflow at a flow of 395 cubic meters per second. The city expects a significant contribution from European funds, with 120 million crowns allocated.

The project is to be realized according to the winning proposal from the international architectural and landscape competition. "The purpose of the project is to achieve a synergistic effect of increasing flood protection, improving the potential for utilizing the river and its riparian zone for recreation and leisure activities, and revitalizing the river and its floodplain," the document states.

Along Bauerova street, the river is in a partially natural riverbed; further downstream along Poříčí, it was once enclosed by inaccessible high riverbanks during regulation. Their removal is planned, the riverbed will be widened, its capacity will be increased, and the natural river floodplain will be maximally restored. Paths for walking will be created along the banks. On the left bank near the Favorit Brno complex, wetlands and ponds will be created, restoring the riparian forest. "A natural swimming area will also be created, which will be fed by the Svratecký canal," the document states.

Flood protection will be a combination of either earth embankments or reinforced concrete walls. The weirs and drop structures in the riverbed will also be removed, restoring the natural dynamics of the flow.