Vízügyi Közlemények, 2021 (103. évfolyam)
2021 / 1. szám - Introduction by the editor
Vízügyi Közlemények, Cili. évfolyam 2021. évi 1. füzet INTRODUCTION BY THE EDITORS After a long intermission the General Directorate of Water Management (OVF) relaunched the Journal of Hydraulic Engineering a professional periodical with more than 140 years of tradition. The first two new volumes of the journal present two important milestones of the Hungarian water management. A commemorative volume is devoted to the founder of the journal, the outstanding personality of Jenő Kvass ay bom 175 years ago. Another commemorative volume is issued on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the disastrous flood occurred in the Tisza valley in 1970. By recollecting the events occurred half a century ago we pray tribute to the representatives of the great generation of the flood protection in Hungary, to iconic personalities, water engineers managing and leading the flood fighting and also to the others contributing to the fighting. The study published in this volume was honoured with the ,flward of Excellence Vitális Sándor” of the Hungarian Hydrological Society. This prize established in 1979 has been until now awarded to 87 papers, out of which 26 were published in the Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. In the volumes of year 2021 the traditional structure of the journal is reverted: polemic articles are published, information is given about results of water related research, water infrastructures are described, milestone events and reputed experts of water management are remembered, recent publications are reviewed. According to István Láng the author of the paper „The dam and the sponge” it can be felt that water conflict is perceivably present in Hungary. As a result of climate change predictions the general public is equally concerned by flood and drought. To treat water scarcity there are basically three solutions: pumped watersupply, enlarging foreshore areas, and the most popular one: water retention. A decision should be made: either the expensive network of iron lung of pumps is created or the water balance of dried-up areas will be restored by benefitting the water supply capacity of the river. For this latter the barriers of mind erected in the last 30 years should be cleared away, that is: impoundment is necessary. Water professionals do not want, but do suggest the sound, rational solutions to prevent water crisis. Decision is not for us water professionals, but we responsibly put forward scientifically grounded solutions. The paper „Hungary in water crisis” by József Váradi is an invitation for discussion. Linked to the above paper by István Láng it presents several steps of potential intervention for prevention of the crisis caused by the water scarcity and
