Geografie 2024, 129, 187-209
Anthropogenic impacts on watercourses in the region of the Labe (Elbe) and Jizera confluence
Charles University, Faculty of Science, Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, Prague, Czechia
Received July 2023
Accepted February 2024
The impact of human activities on watercourses has significantly changed throughout history. Anthropogenic impact on the evolution of the middle Labe (river-km 854−882) and the lower Jizera (river-km 0–17) is documented in this paper, together with its influence on the dynamics of fluvial processes. The historical change analysis of the watercourses was based on the historical maps of the Second and the Third Military Survey. The most significant shortening of the studied sections of the Labe and Jizera occurred during the nineteenth century for flood protection purposes. During the last 200 years, the Labe was shortened by 20.6% and the Jizera by 7.4%. In more recent years, the lower reaches of the Jizera show a curving tendency caused by fluvial processes. The reinforcement of the Labe’s banks limits the natural evolution of its channel. These conclusions are confirmed by trends in the curvature index of the Labe and Jizera.
Keywords
anthropogenic impact, river channel modification, historical maps, Labe River, Jizera River.
