Wpływ wielonurtowej Skawy na działalność człowieka w dnie doliny

The review of literarure, archives and the cartographic material allow us to draw an outline of the Skawa River valley over the centuries. The valley floor bottom shape was a significant factor responsible for the origin and the development of settlements. The location of Wadowice, between the Skawa and Choczenka Rivers, increased the defensive capabilities of the settlements and provided easy access to water. Since the 13th century, the residents of Wadowice and the surrounding area used the Skawa River for economic purposes. The municipal charter of Wadowice gave the inhabitants the right to use ichthyofauna. The ox-bow lakes enabled people to establish breeding ponds. The development of the milling industry, which pieaked in the 19th century, was due to millrace powered by the Skawa riverwater. Timber rafting was not only one of the forms of local serfdom, but also a profitable occupation. The timber was transported to Maków Podhalański then onto the Wisła and so on. There were also fields of wicker which residents used to make household appliances. The human activity by the Skawa river was dependant on its hydrological mode. This location had a lot of advantages, however there was also a risk of flooding. Since 15th century, river floodings have destroyed buildings and caused losses in crops resulting in boundary changes. Floodings have also caused human deaths. The flooding in the valley made communication difficult because of damaged bridges and roads. At the end of the 19th century, the government of Vienna decided to tame the Carpathian Rivers. The first river regulations were made in the 19th century, but they didn`t survive long. In order to reduce flood losses along the banks, river edges were systematically strengthened. In the beginning of the 20th century, river unblocking began. These actions put the end to the life of this natural multi-current and changed it into a channelized watercourse.