The small reservoir is one of the backbone water retention measures in the "Smart landscape" concept at Amálie.
The tank is designed to:
- ensure sufficient minimum residual flow,
- increase surface water retention,
- provide water for irrigation,
- support wetland ecosystems in the revitalised floodplain of Brejlský potok.
The parameters of the reservoir (retention volume, regulating outlet structure) consider the future climate development. At Amálie and other similar areas, we can expect rainfall events to vary in time and space. Based on analyses of future rainfall patterns from simulated data from regional climate models (RCMs) and global climate models (GCMs), we project an increase in the frequency of short-term torrential rainfall events.
If a short duration, high intensity (volume of water falling per unit time) rain event occurs in a catchment, the water does not have the time needed to infiltrate into the soil and seep to the groundwater, and therefore runs off on the surface of the catchment. This reservoir retains part of the volume of water from short torrential rainfall and slows down the runoff by a control facility installed in the outlet. All the important functions of the floodplain of Brejlský potok, including the support of biodiversity (e.g., stone crayfish, aquatic plants), will thus be maintained. Part of the retained water volume will be released from the reservoir in dry periods or used for irrigation. Another part of the stored water will evaporate and contribute to improving the microclimate in the surrounding area.
