The structure and function of the Vistula River floodplain near Plock, Poland

The geological history of the Vistula River Valley reach near the city of Flock (Poland) has been studied. The geological structure of the floodplain and over-flood terraces shows that the whole fluvial system has experienced considerable changes in the last 10 ka years. The form of the valley floor shaped in the past controls the recent hydrological processes - pattern of river floods, and groundwater recharge area. Recognition of the geological history of the floodplain is fundamental for understanding recent ecohydrological processes. Geographical information systems (GIS) have been used for modeling the digital terrain model (DTM) and proved to be very useful. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.