Three cut-offs were made during the regulation of the river, in 1847-48, in 1856 and in 1934. That a significant part of the village was destroyed to create one of these cut-offs, which later turned out to be slow to develop, is revealing of the over-zealousness of the efforts.
The fok system of Nagy-fok was severed from the river by the new embankment. Although its former riverbeds and lake-basins can still be identified, its restoration would be a very difficult task.
However, a smaller fok and a connected lake were included in the new floodplain, and can be more easily restored. It is the Anyita-fok and the lake of the same name, which occupy the low-lying areas of a bay in the floodplain called Tóalja (bottom of the lake). After the river regulation, attempts were made to cultivate the area, but it was made impossible by the constant emergence of water during wet periods.
Vegetable and fruit production still flourishes on the sandy soils of higher grounds closer to the river (known as Homoksziget, meaning "sand island") where the ancient fruit varieties (mostly pears) tolerate the occasional flooding. The fertility of Tóalja is legendary, as it is commemorated in local sayings. This productivity is due to the periodic inundation that has been going on since ancient times. However, a summer levee was constructed in the 1970s for the (rather short-term) security of agricultural production. [A summer levee is constructed between the riverbed and the main embankment, to protect the area between the latter and itself from the summer floods, which tend to be relatively minor, but can still destroy crops during the growing season.]
In 1999, preparations were made to open up the summer levee to facilitate the passing of a major flood. Suddenly, the river got out of control and burst the levee. Since then, the one-time Anyita-lake has re-emerged and the continuation of the unnatural, intensive agricultural practices has become impossible. This has afforded the opportunity to begin utilisation of the area in a nature-friendly, sustainable manner.
In the framework of the Tóalja Restoration Project, which is supported by WWF, a semi-natural forest is going to replace the hybrid poplar plantation (that has been killed by the prolonged inundation) and degraded fields will be converted, with the help of Hungarian grey cattle, into valuable pastures. This will require some engineering intervention, making it possible to regulate water in a nature-friendly way. With the re-vitalisation of the Anyita-fok, a controllable connection will be established between the river bed and the lake.
The water regime of natural habitats, altered by river regulations, can be improved. The extensive utilisation of these areas can help retain the local population while protect- ing nature, thus creating the possibility for a long-term approach to management. The Project is going to create an assemblage of different habitats, and facilitate the natural development of such habitats.
The essence of the restoration effort is the establishment, by the cleaning and revival of old canals, of a connection between the area and the riverbed, making the in and out-flow of water possible. A sluice will have to be constructed on the lower section of the system, below the point where the three canals meet, so that the water table can be set to best serve conservation and management needs. Willows and traditional fruit varieties will be planted to increase the habitat diversity of the approximately 100-hectare area. The conservation of grasslands will be aided by the grazing of grey cattle. ... (Source: Living with the River, 2002)
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