Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Notecka Forest, located between the rivers Warta and Noteć, is one of the largest inland dune areas in Poland. The area is relatively water-deficient. The drainage network is poorly developed, however attractive, and yet poorly recognized are spring areas located along the margins of sand-covered dune fields and river terraces. These spring areas have substantial potential for the application of multifunctional management schemes. The location of these springs is an asset that may add up to the region’s high tourism and recreational value. Appropriate management and promotion of spring areas might strengthen capitalizing on the asset. These premises have brought about the project to assess the flow rate of spring water and test its chemical composition. Four locations of spring areas in the central part of Puszcza Notecka were selected – three in Sieraków Forest District and a location in Karwin Forest District.
Standard chemical tests applied for the consumption water were performed. The results of these tests have proved that spring water has good consumption quality. The flow rate of spring areas is sufficient to support water storage projects aiming at strengthening biodiversity and firefighting. There are also other possibilities for utilization of the spring water, e.g., for setting up thornhouses, providing water for wild animals, and setting up ecological ponds.