History

A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. In Australian and South African English, the word "dam" can also refer to the reservoir rather than the structure. Most dams have a section called a spillway or weir over which or through which it is intended that water will flow either intermittently or continuously.

Some of the first dams were built in Mesopotamia up to 7,000 years ago. These were used to control the water level, for Mesopotamia's weather effected the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and could be quite unpredictable. The earliest recorded dam is believed to have been on the Nile river at Kosheish, where a 15m high masonry structure was built about 2900 B.C. to supply water to capital of Memphis.


http://www.zzw-niedzica.com.pl/historiaa.htm

The history dates back to the beginning of 20th century, and in particular the year 1905, when the first documents were generated concerning the planned construction of Czorsztyn reservoir.

Picture taken in 1928, showing the Dunajec river below the castles in Czorsztyn and Niedzica

More practical implementation of mentioned general concepts consisted in the construction plans of four reservoirs at four most dangerous mountain tributaries of upper Vistula - in Rożnów and in Czorsztyn, on the Dunajec river, in Porąbka on the Soła river, and in Mucharz on the Skawa. It is little known that the initial plans were submitted for evaluation in 1919. The evaluation was to be made by an eminent specialist and constructor of many similar projects in Switzerland, the former Minister for Public Projects and, later, President of Poland - Gabriel Narutowicz.

In effect of the disastrous flood in 1934, the government decided to build rapidly the Rożnów reservoir as the first hydro-engineering project on the Dunajec. The next planned reservoir was to be built in Niedzica. Appropriate documentation was developed in 1938-1939. In the post-war history, the opinions about the project evolved in parallel to the overall problems of water management and environment protection issues, which were crucial in the area of high natural and cultural value.