CHANGES IN THE COURSE OF THE KRASNA RIVER IN THE ESTUARY SECTION (POLISH UPLANDS)

The aim of the study was identify the riverbed changes of the Krasna river in its whole length during last centuries based on archival cartographic materials. Additionally in the estuary section, about 2 km long, which was noticed the largest riverbed changes visible on the maps, verified cartographic changes are done geomorphological and geological mapping of the Quaternary sediments. Krasna river is located in the northern part of the Świętokrzyskie voivodship in the Polish Uplands area. It is left tributary of the Czarna Konecka, with a 28 km length. The basin area have about 121 km. It was located in the Old Polish Industrial District. Krasna river was one of the most industrialized rivers of Old Polish Industrial District in 19 c,. the waters of the lower section of Krasna river were driven the forges and water mills. The activity of the forges and water mills contributed to changes in the course of the Krasna riverbed, visible on cartographic materials as well as in sediments. In the early 30th year in 20 c., old forges were transformed into water mills. In later years, the mill buildings were transformed into sawmills existing until the middle of the 20 c. On the flood plain, remnants of the iron metallurgy have survived in such forms as shafts and channels as well as in sediments as slags or bricks. With the fall of industrial activity, the renaturalization processes was started in the Krasna river valley and the riverbed itself. This led to the restoration of a natural environment before human changes impact and river come back to its natural course.