Restoration of Sedmihorské Wetlands Boosts Water Retention by Five Olympic‑Pool Volumes

A two‑year groundwater‑level monitoring program (June 2023‑October 2025) at the Sedmihorské wetlands along the Libuňka stream in the Český ráj region showed that reviving 5 ha of formerly drained peatland increased water storage by 11,543 m³ – roughly the volume of five Olympic swimming pools. The western part of the site was re‑wet by disabling its drainage system and creating a network of ponds, while the eastern part remains partially drained, allowing a direct comparison of water regimes.

The Czech Society for Nature Conservation (Český svaz ochránců přírody) coordinated the restoration, with financial support from the Veolia Foundation. Project leaders Vojtěch Šťastný and campaign coordinator Jan Moravec highlighted the benefits for biodiversity and landscape resilience, noting that the peat soil can retain up to 93 % of its water content and that such wetland recoveries can mitigate drought impacts.