Discover the Enchanted Floodplain Forests of Soutok

In the forests of the Czech Republic, especially the Valtice Forest, there is a regular practice of intentionally increasing the water level in the local water channels every year around late March to early April. Water managers have started to control flooding in a floodplain forest known as Boar preserve on March 28, 2025, starting from 10:00 AM. This action helps refill groundwater supplies and partially simulates the natural spring floods that used to happen when the Dyje River overflowed, which are currently not possible due to various water management projects affecting the river. This flooding activity occurs in early spring, when temperatures are lower, reducing the chance of mosquito outbreaks due to stagnant water.

As water levels rise, it slowly fills up water channels and pools in the Soutok Game Reserve. Water from the Dyje River will make its way to the forest below Břeclav through the Pohansko, Brána, and Podkova intakes. The forest authorities will keep the sluice gates raised for approximately two days. Water will then remain within the vegetation until April 22, 2025. After this date, the floodgates will gradually be lowered, causing the water level to decrease and everything to revert back to its normal state. During the floods, it’s possible that water will flow over forest roads and into the meadows of Lednice, especially near Lubeš hájenky, in the forest surrounding the old Bruks River, and in the area known as Palachy.

A similar approach is being implemented in the nearby Tvrdonice forest. Here, the meadows situated between Hodonín and Lanžhot, close to the Slovakia border, will begin to flood after April 15. The water will stay in these meadows for a maximum of three weeks. During this time, it may not be safe to navigate the Dyje riverbed, as the water flow will slightly exceed the initial flood activity level.

Confluence area The confluence of the Morava and Thaya rivers is located at the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria. This region is home to the largest collection of floodplain forests, meadows, and wetlands in the nation. It boasts an incredibly well-preserved biotope of floodplain landscapes, which scientists refer to as the Moravian Amazon. This unique area extends from Lanžhot, which is home to the country’s largest forest called Soutok, encompasses the Breclav region, and stretches towards the Lednice-Valtice area.

Territory between the Dyje and Morava rivers

The area between the Morava and Dyje rivers covers approximately 4,232 hectares, with 3,395 hectares being occupied by forests. Several water channels filled with rich aquatic vegetation and numerous endangered plant species crisscross this area. Additionally, it provides habitat for several threatened and protected species, including the Danube newt, river otters, and European beavers.

In the past, these forests experienced natural flooding during the spring floods, but after the flood barriers were constructed, this natural occurrence was disrupted. To combat this, foresters have taken it upon themselves to manage flooding deliberately to protect the meadows from the Nové Mlýny reservoir. Water managers will increase the water outflow from the current 19 m³/s to 110 m³/s and maintain this rate for about two days until the reservoir level drops by approximately 50 cm. Normally, the Confluence area will receive a total of 15 million m³ of water. The increase in flow from the Dyje will also raise the levels in the blind and connected branches along the Dyje from Nové Mlýn to the confluence with the Morava River.

Annual Spring Flooding in the Moravian Amazon

Experience the natural renewal of the floodplain forests between Lednice and Breclav through the traditional spring flooding process in the vast area known as the Moravian Amazon.

Flooding Schedule

• Start Date: March 28, 2025

• End Date: April 22, 2025

• The intentional flooding process lasts nearly a month during the cooler spring season, reducing the risk of mosquito problems.

Objectives and Environmental Benefits

• Natural Simulation:
  The flooding is designed to recharge small streams, wetlands, and pools while mimicking natural spring flood patterns.

• Compensation for Disruption:
  Construction projects on the Dyje river have interrupted natural flooding. This purposeful flooding helps mitigate increased runoff and restores ecological balance.

• Biodiversity Enhancement:
  The process supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, preserving one of the largest collections of floodplain forests, meadows, and wetlands in the region.

Species Protection and Ecological Impact

• Endangered Species:
  The floodplain area is home to various endangered and protected species such as the Danube newt, river otter, and European beaver.

• Hydrological Impact:
  During the intentional flooding, the Confluence area is typically filled with approximately 15 million m³ of water.

Conservation Measures

• Protected Landscape Area:
  Beginning July 1, 2025, the Confluence area will be designated as a Protected Landscape Area, ensuring ongoing conservation efforts and ecological preservation.