A reconstruction of flood events using scarred trees in the Tatra Mountains, Poland

Abstract

In this paper we reconstructed flood events in a small mountain stream (6.6 km long, elevation 1100–1950 m a.s.l.) in the Dolina Waksmundzka Valley in the Tatra Mountains in the Western Carpathians. This reconstruction was based on cross-dated flood scars found in Norway spruce trees growing along stream banks. The scars were most likely formed by woody debris and stones transported during flood events. Reconstructed flood years were then compared with climatic records collected at the nearest meteorological station. Fifty-eight scars were cross-dated indicating 17 years with flood events in the period between 1928 and 2005. The large number of reconstructed flood events proves that the Potok Waksmundzki stream discharge can be highly variable. The high mid-summer rainfall (approximately 300 mm or more per month) peaks in June, July, August and this period coincides with some of the flood scar formation. The high winter and spring precipitation (December–May) does not seem to induce floods. The rate of snow melting seems to be more important. The highest number of scars (33%) was formed in dormant season of 1957/1958. In April and May 1958 there was an unusually large difference between mean monthly temperatures, the highest recorded in the twentieth century. This probably led to an abnormally rapid snow melt. No one single climatic factor can be held responsible for all flood events. Intensive mid-summer rainfall as well as rapid snow melting may induce floods in the Dolina Waksmundzka Valley. Cross-dated scars have enabled past flood events to be detected, which are otherwise invisible from climatic data alone.