As previously highlighted, the demand for a unified approach to solving water management issues in the Danube-Tisa-Danube Hydrosystem led, on January 1, 1963, to the incorporation of water associations from the Banat and Bačka regions into the Directorate for the Construction of the Danube-Tisa-Danube Hydrosystem in Novi Sad.
The former Water Association became a regional branch, which would later be named the Water Management Organization "Gornji Banat" in Kikinda.
With this incorporation, the territory of the water management organization expanded as it absorbed the Novi Bečej and Kumanski watersheds, which previously belonged to the Potiskoj Water Association. The area now covers four municipalities: Kikinda, Novi Bečej, Čoka, and Novi Kneževac.
The total area of the Water Management Organization now amounts to:
- Kikinda: 78,224 ha (39%)
- Novi Bečej: 60,962 ha (30%)
- Čoka: 32,117 ha (16%)
- Novi Kneževac: 30,554 ha (15%) Total: 201,857 ha
The activities of the Water Management Organization included the following tasks:
- Drainage of excess water from the land,
- Flood defense and watercourse regulation,
- Taking measures to protect against pollution,
- Supplying agriculture, industry, and settlements with water,
- Ensuring navigation conditions,
- Monitoring, collecting, and processing hydrological and hydrogeological data on the movements and levels of groundwater and other water bodies,
- Maintenance, reconstruction, and construction of water management facilities and plants, as well as their use,
- Preparation of studies, foundations, and principles in water management and studying water management issues in the reclamation areas it covers,
- Other water management activities in accordance with the Self-Government Agreement on Association in the General Water Management Enterprise Danube-Tisa-Danube.
In the new operational conditions, new organizational forms emerge, leading to the dissolution of territorial sections that previously dealt with all water management issues, and the establishment of specialized sections. Three sections were founded:
- Section for Protection from External Waters, or the River Defense Service (ROS),
- Section for Detailed Canal Network (DKM), and
- Section for Basic Canal Network (OKM).
For the maintenance and construction of the detailed canal network, a maintenance fee is determined and paid by users, depending on the adopted programs. Maintenance of embankments and flood defenses is funded from the Provincial Water Fund, while the commercialization of the basic canal network generates the income needed for its maintenance.
The significant surge in the construction of water management facilities in the 1960s and 1970s was enabled by the financial support from the Republic of Serbia and the Province of Vojvodina for the Danube-Tisa-Danube Hydrosystem, which helped in the development of the drainage system. The Yugoslav Agricultural Bank also provided loans for the construction of the detailed canal network, which was of considerable importance.
Given that, after the war, we inherited outdated and insufficiently developed drainage systems, and that little progress was made in these areas during the post-war period, the construction of the Danube-Tisa-Danube Hydrosystem brought about an expansion of drainage works. New systems were built, and existing ones were reconstructed. First, projects were developed, and then large-scale works began over a wide area.
The next section will address the developmental path of water management according to organizational services.
River Defense Service (ROS) – Dikes
Until 1970, this service was involved only in the maintenance of dikes, and there were no investment works. Works on the rehabilitation of both the main Tisa dike and the summer dikes followed the major flood defense efforts of 1970.
In the meantime, there was a significant flood on the Tisa in 1965, and these two flood defenses deserve mention, as they involved not only high water levels but also prolonged durations, with a large number of participants and significant costs.
Flood Defense of 1965
The catastrophic floods on the Danube caused by the slowing of the Danube River in 1965 affected the water levels of the Tisa River, primarily in its lower course. The flood defense efforts in the Novi Bečej sector reached such a level that it was declared an emergency flood defense. During this time, the summer dike "Ljutovo" was breached, while the summer dike "Libe" was saved with the greatest efforts of the defenders. The maximum water level recorded at this time was +691 cm, and the defense lasted for 54 days.
Flood Defense of 1970
This flood ranks among the largest defenses both in terms of water level height and the duration of the defense. The flood defense began at the end of March and concluded in early July, going through all three phases: regular, emergency defense, and the state of emergency. Such high water levels in the middle and lower courses of the Tisa River were a result of snowmelt and heavy rainfall in the upper course. The defense in the Novi Bečej sector lasted 97 days, and the maximum recorded water level was +785 cm. This water level had never been recorded in Novi Bečej either before or after this flood. The summer dikes were simply overtopped, and all attention shifted to the main dikes to ensure they would withstand and prevent a catastrophic flood of the widest scale. With the utmost dedication from all participants in the defense, the dikes withstood the force of the water. A key feature of this defense was the large number of participants (both professionals and other workers) as well as the significant number of vehicles and machinery (the most modern equipment and tools were available). All of this demonstrates the seriousness with which this flood defense was approached.
It is a general rule that once the water recedes into its riverbed, rehabilitation works begin on both the main and summer dikes.
Main Tisa Dikes
The major flood defense of 1970 revealed that the Tisa dikes were not adequately prepared to protect the area from high waters, prompting the initiation of their rehabilitation. From 1971 to 1990, repairs were carried out on the Tisa dikes, which stretch about 290 km along both sides of the Tisa River in Vojvodina.
The dikes were designed and built using the latest technology and adapted for mechanized construction. Compared to their previous state (before the major 1970 flood), the dikes were widened and raised, with some weak sections relocated, but overall, the original dike route was preserved. All dike reconstruction work was carried out using powerful waterborne and land-based machinery, by experienced and proven builders, under constant supervision from the investor.
It is interesting to note that in 1978-1979, a 300-meter-long dike with a quay was built to protect the urban area of Novi Bečej. The new quay remains a prominent feature, beautifying the city, and it was officially opened for use in 1980.
The final repairs in our area were completed in the 1990s, specifically on sections covered by summer dikes. There were alternative solutions for these sections, but they were not implemented, leaving the issue of summer dikes still unresolved.
However, the main task was completed. The Tisa dikes were fully constructed, and they have significantly reduced the risk of flooding. The main entity responsible for and financing the repair work on the Tisa dikes was the Provincial Water Fund from Novi Sad.
Summer Dikes
The summer dikes have had well-known issues from the past.
Summer Dike "Ljutovo"
In 1969, this dike was completely repaired, with its length reduced from 9.67 km to 9.30 km. The work was carried out by the specialized organization "Heroj Pinki" from Novi Sad. All work was mechanized. Half of the construction costs were covered by the Provincial Water Fund from Novi Sad, while the other half was covered by the existing Reclamation Community for the "Ljutovo" summer dike from Novi Bečej, formed by the landowners of this area.
The catastrophic waters of 1970 overtopped this dike and caused damage, prompting its repair in the fall of the same year. The "Kanal" organization from Novi Sad worked on the repair, and the costs were covered by the Water Fund. Immediately afterward, a drainage structure was built at the lowest point of the area, funded by the Reclamation Community from Novi Bečej.
Summer Dike "Libe"
This dike was also overtopped in 1970. It was subsequently repaired manually with the help of cords. The cost of the repairs was borne by the Provincial Water Fund from Novi Sad.
Since these dikes are located in the floodplain of the Tisa River, in the pre-terrain area between the Tisa River bed and the main Tisa dikes, these areas essentially represent the broad riverbed of the Tisa during high-water events. For this reason, the ownership and responsibility for maintaining these dikes have not been clearly defined.
During all flood defenses, summer dikes were defended through municipalities and local communities, which were the main organizers of the defense, while technical staff from water management organizations provided expert assistance.
Both summer dikes were designed to be defended with some degree of safety up to a water level of +600 cm. In the later period, after the last repairs in 1970, they have not undergone any reconstruction, except for when they were breached, and those areas had to be closed off.
The rehabilitation program for the main Tisa dikes also included the rehabilitation of summer dikes, whether by incorporating them into the main dike or leaving them as they were, with appropriate modifications.
Now, it is known that, apart from the first repair after 1970, no further work has been done on these dikes, and since they have no true owner, the question of their maintenance and flood protection remains unresolved and undefined.
Perhaps one solution at this point would be to re-establish the Reclamation Community for "Ljutovo" or some other organizational form that would oversee the summer dikes, as was once the case.
Despite the neglect and lack of maintenance, these dikes are still in relatively good condition and serve as protection against high waters, safeguarding about 2,000 hectares of the best agricultural land.
Local Dikes
These are dikes of the second defense line. During the major flood defense in 1970, one such dike was constructed in case the first defense line, i.e., the main Tisa dike, failed. It was built along the Klisa-Šimuđ stretch, north of Novi Bečej.
Forestry
In addition to existing protective forests, which were discussed earlier, there has been some limited activity in establishing plantation forests, primarily poplar trees, in the floodplain of the Tisa River. A shift also occurred towards planned commercial logging of old forests, mainly for firewood, and there are certainly still significant reserves here.
Recently, logging has been carried out in an uncontrolled manner.
Detailed Drainage Network (DDN)
In financing the drainage system, this part of water management has received a new form, quality, and impetus. The construction of a detailed drainage network (DDN) is supported by the Republic of Serbia and the Province of Vojvodina. In addition to the previously mentioned, the Yugoslav Agricultural Bank also financed the construction of the drainage system, which should not be underestimated.
Before starting the main investment works, there was a preparatory period for studies and the preparation of conceptual and main projects, and at the same time, some work was already underway on the reconstruction of the drainage system.
The period from 1966 to 1975 represents the most significant period in the realization of the investment program for the development of new and reconstruction of existing drainage systems. The most work was done on systems that directly connect to the basic canal network (BCN) and on the most vulnerable areas where agricultural damage was the highest, particularly those areas where drainage problems had not been resolved.
In the later period, i.e., after 1975, the implementation of the drainage program slowed down, and the conditions became considerably less favorable, resulting in reduced construction intensity. In other words, credits dried up, there were no more non-refundable budget funds, and the increased drainage fees could not keep up with the continuous rise in construction costs.
However, even with what has been built so far, significant effects are being felt, even under conditions of wet and rainy years.
Considering that after the war we inherited outdated and insufficiently developed drainage systems, and knowing that the pumping and drainage of water from vulnerable areas once took months, but now this timeframe has been minimized, ensuring great security for stable agriculture, it can be concluded that investments in such a large endeavor to improve the drainage system were justified.
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