The construction of the dry flood reservoir in Kutřín in the Chrudim region has entered the next phase. The construction of the reinforced concrete dam is about 75% complete, and workers have already begun assembling its mechanical components. The construction of a new road bridge has also been completed. Budimex, which is building the reservoir on behalf of the state-owned company Povodí Labe (Elbe River Basin Authority), is now focusing primarily on further works related to the dam, bottom drain and emergency overflow.
Work is progressing in parallel on several key objects of this extremely important project for flood protection – the Kutřín dry retention reservoir. The most visible progress can be observed on the dam itself. Its reinforced concrete structure is about three-quarters ready, and the installation of technical equipment is also gradually gaining momentum. The gravity part of the dam is currently about 25% ready.
” Our main priority is currently to accelerate work on the dam, bottom drain and emergency overflow. The reinforced concrete structure of the dam is about 75% ready, and we have already started assembling the mechanical elements. We are constantly coordinating individual activities so that the dam can be put into operation in the middle of next year ,” says Krzysztof Tomczuk, Contract Manager at Budimex.
Another important element of the project was the reconstruction of the road bridge in the area of the future water reservoir, which was completed this spring. During the construction, Budimex, commissioned by Povodí Labe, first built a temporary bridge, which allowed to maintain traffic and avoid a complete closure of the road.
Works directly related to the Martinický stream bed will continue after the growing season. Already in 2025, the stream was diverted from a temporary bypass to a newly built wildlife passage running through the dam structure. Once the construction of the hydrotechnical facility is completed, this passage will provide flow not only for water and sediment, but also for animals.
High water levels in February put the dam under construction to the test
In February this year, the construction work was hampered by the increased current of the Krounka River. The water flooded part of the construction site and reached the working area near the unfinished dam. Budimex then adjusted the construction schedule and continued work on other facilities.
” I always appreciate the determination with which the contractor strives to optimize the construction and meet the contractual deadline for the completion of the works despite the difficulties caused by the high water level. I really appreciate our good cooperation ,” says Marián Šebesta, CEO of the state-owned company Povodí Labe.
Even at this stage, a partially completed dam may already have some impact on the flow of water. However, the facility will only provide full flood protection once the key structural elements have been completed and the necessary technologies have been implemented.
“It is important to distinguish between the partial operability of the facility, which is still under construction, and the actual flood protection for which this reservoir was designed. The dam may already weaken flood flows to some extent, but at this stage it cannot yet be considered that it provides full protection for the area below. It should also not be expected that the unfinished facility could significantly reduce the effects of a flood comparable to the one in 2024,” explains Krzysztof Tomczuk, contract manager at Budimex.
The reservoir will hold 3.6 million cubic meters of water
On the Krounka River, the main tributary of the Novohradka River, a dry retention reservoir is being built in Kutrín. When completed, it will provide a retention capacity of up to 3.6 million cubic meters of water. At maximum filling, the flooded area could cover 67.5 hectares. During flooding, the reservoir will capture some of the incoming water, reducing the peak flow of the Krounka River and delaying it so that it does not coincide with the peak of the flow on the Novohradka River as much as possible.
The main element of the project will be a concrete gravity dam rising to a height of 17.8 meters above ground level. Its total structural height will be about 24 meters. The crown of the dam from the water side is built of reinforced concrete, while the core is made of concrete compacted with rollers. Special formwork will give the exposed concrete surfaces a texture of finish reminiscent of the surrounding rocky landscape.
” Our work in Kutřín is based on the experience we have gained in recent years by implementing large hydrotechnical projects in Poland. For example, we have completed the construction of the Racibórz Dolny dry flood reservoir on the Oder River, supported the expansion of the Żelazny Most hydrotechnical complex, and implemented flood protection measures in the Nysa Kłodzka valley. We want to use this experience in future hydrotechnical projects on the Czech market, where we will be happy to look for further opportunities ,” concludes Krzysztof Sokołowski, Director of Budimex for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
