Water aspect of ClimaPannonia
In the ClimaPannonia project, we explore how local water retention and irrigation measures can strengthen resilience to climate change in different Hungarian landscapes. Two settlements – Püspökszilágy and Szarvas, serve as demonstration sites for testing innovative and nature-based approaches to managing water more effectively.
Püspökszilágy, located in a hilly region, faces frequent flash flood risks caused by intensive, large-scale agriculture on surrounding slopes. To mitigate these risks, the village has implemented nature-based solutions (NBS) such as log dams (Figure 1). These simple wooden structures slow down runoff, help retain rainwater, and protect both people and property.
Figure 1: Log dam – Püspökszilágy (HU)
Our field research focuses on understanding how these NBS influence soil moisture. In a small tributary valley feeding the Szilágy Creek, we monitor changes in soil water content using sensors installed near several log dams. By observing how water infiltrates and remains in the soil after rainfall, we aim to better understand the benefits of these systems for soil health and local microclimates.
Log dams are built from untreated logs with a limited lifespan, allowing base flow to pass beneath them and activating only during heavy runoff events. Rather than acting as solid barriers, they function like horizontal grids that gradually release retained water while capturing sediment from nearby hills. In this way, they help reduce erosion, flash floods, and mudflows, while enriching the soil with deposited material.
Solutions to retain water in agriculture and beyond
Meanwhile, Szarvas, located in the flat lowlands of the Great Hungarian Plain, provides a contrasting setting to test water reuse and irrigation innovations. Here, our team investigates how rainwater collected in the town’s drainage system can be safely stored and reused for agriculture. An automatic water level sensor placed in a submerged section of a municipal pumping station continuously monitors water availability, in collaboration with local experts.
Figure 2: Sluice gate in an irrigation canal – Szarvas (HU)
At these experimental sites of MATE – The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, we are testing subsurface irrigation along a 140-meter canal equipped with manual gates at five points. On a 2.53-hectare field, we compare crop growth under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions using drones, handheld spectrometers, and Sentek soil moisture probes. In addition, a 420-meter canal allows us to measure seepage and groundwater rise, using precise water level meters (Figure 4) to track evaporation and infiltration dynamics.
Figure 3: Irrigation canal – Szarvas (HU)
Figure 4: Field groundwater level measurement using a piezometer and dipper – Szarvas (HU)
Both experiments help us understand how alternative water sources, such as retained rainwater or channel-stored water, can contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices.
To study the effect of log dams on soil moisture, we selected a small tributary valley in Püspökszilágy that feeds into the Szilágy Creek. The Kiskövesi tributary, featuring several log dams, serves as our open-field research site. Moreover, other NBS features, like the lateral reservoir along the Szilágyi Creek (Figure 5), not only enhance local water retention but also improve the landscape’s aesthetic value and provide new opportunities for community recreation and social engagement.
Figure 5: Lateral reservoir of Szilágyi creek – Püspökszilágy (HU)
Paving the way for water – a wetter future
Through our work in Püspökszilágy and Szarvas, we aim to demonstrate that adaptive, data-driven water management can help communities across the Carpathian Basin cope with the increasing impacts of climate change. The insights gained from these sites can guide farmers and local authorities in improving water retention, optimizing irrigation, and safeguarding both ecosystems and livelihoods.
Our goal is clear: to make the most of the water we have – preserving hidden water resources for a resilient and food-secure future.
