On September 15, during the flood, a heroic struggle to keep the Pilchowice Dam intact was taking place.

The aim was to prevent the dam from being undermined at all costs, which could have caused a catastrophe with consequences that are difficult even to imagine.

On the Facebook profile Małgorzata Szczepańska – Starost of Lwówek County, a video was published showing the struggle, in which the lives of as many as 30,000 people were at stake.

Małgorzata Szczepańska:

Fighting the elements, especially in such extreme conditions, is a major challenge. At times like these, the entire community, emergency services, employees and volunteers show how important cooperation and dedication are. Huge applause goes to everyone who became involved in this fight, saving both infrastructure and the lives of many people. Without a doubt, this is something that will remain in our memory for a long time – a story to be told to future generations. I am proud! And I thank absolutely everyone.

13 WONDERFUL PEOPLE who saved Pilchowice Dam, and with it 30,000 people!

Action date:
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Just before an uncontrolled cascading release.

Act I
Mariusz Łabuń, director of the Tauron Ekoenergia Hydroelectric Power Plants Department, obtains a key photograph of the dam during the 1977 flood, showing a sandbag barrier – a “collar” that directs the main stream of water overflowing from the dam crest onto the access road. Thanks to this operation, the water did not undermine the dam in 1977.

Act II
Mariusz Łaboń informs Łukasz Strzelecki, head of the County Crisis Management Centre. From that moment, a dramatic race against time begins. Marek Makowski, head of the County Roads Authority, sends his equipment and a work crew there.

Act III
Firefighters from the State Fire Service in Lwówek Śląski join the operation – brigadier Andrzej Więdłocha takes command. Although it seems impossible, employees of the County Roads Authority reach the site with sand and transport it across the dam crest to the critical location. The plan succeeds, despite the roads to the dam being almost impassable.

Act IV
The dam is saved. Along with it, 30,000 people.