THE HIDROLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DANUBE ARMS AND LAKE COMPLEXIS IN THE DANUBE DELTA

Basarab Victor DRIGA
Institute of Geography Bucharest, Romania driga_basarab@yahoo.com

Abstract

The Danube Delta, which is an open system, is permanently exchanging matter and energy with the external environment. The hydrological sub-system, basically the water circulation represents the vital component of the existence of the delta space. In view of the ecological requirements of this delta space, of the present and prospective situation of various managements, of the present legal framework and the future of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, it is advisable to make some changes to the water circulation system within the Letea unit as follows: to close down or undersize the Mila 35 Canal and the Mila 22 Canal, to reduce the Crânjală Canal flow section or close the canal, to secure the ecological reconstruction of inefficient dammed enclosures (e.g. Pardina) by ensuring normal water circulation inside them, to reopen the Sireasa Canal at its junction with the Chilia Arm. The fact is that the water circulation system throughout the Caraorman unit will suffer essential changes, so that is recommendable to: revitalise the Litcov Canal and close the Filat canal, downsize the Crişan-Caraorman flow section, open up the Gorgova and Ceamurlia canals, revigorate the Ivancea and the Erenciuc canals (between the Puiu and the Erenciuc lakes, respectively), make 2 – 3 openings in the littoral dam and in the Împuţita Backwater, placing the weir level at + 70-80 cm, in order to facilitate the depression water outflow into the sea.

Keywords: the Danube Delta, the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, water circulation.