Współczesne przemiany wód powierzchniowych na terenie wsi

The water is invariably connected with village landscape. Ponds appeared not only inside villages but also on their edges. They fulfilled utilitarian function, the inhabitants used to water the cattle in them and used them in case of a fire. The neighbourhood of water-courses and also existing water reservoirs was taken by location into consideration. Sometimes new ponds were created on the base of the rivers. They were located inside, on the edge of villages and also as an inseparable element of the parks close to manors and palaces. During the last century the number of water surfaces was considerably on the decrease, however at present people started to appreciate their value again. The former utilitarian function of the retainer water surfaces changed into decorative, recreational or fishing ones. It is alarming that ponds disappear gradually from the country area. The part of the neglected ones dry up because of the lowering of the level of the underground water, but a lot of ponds disappear because of the purposeful activity of man. In the place of the covered ponds new recreational areas arise or they are designed for building areas. At the same time they small ponds are placed on private properties, which confirms the natural needs of the people to commune with water. However, we may show a lot of the interesting examples of the development of water surfaces as regards both the landscape and the use. For the inhabitants of Pietna village in Krapkowice commune the existing ponds and the river are of the main value, which is the base for the new projects exhibiting the unique character of the village.