The Upper Tisa Valley. Preparatory proposal for Ramsay

Figure 5. The Crasna/Kraszna catchment, flood embankments, reservoir, key gauges
Based on the designs of 1877, the bed of the Crasna/Kraszna was deepened, but
the works providing the definite solution were started on the initiative of the ”Ecsed
Marsh Reclamation and Szamos Left Hand Flood and Runoff Control Association”
founded in 1894. The project was completed from 1895 to 1898. The 66 km long
Crasna/Kraszna Canal (from the railway bridge at Moftinu Mic to Vásárosnamény)
was excavated and flanked by flood embankments. The canal by passed the marsh and
discharged directly to the Tisa instead of the River Someş/Szamos. An embankment
was also built along the left hand bank of the River Someş/Szamos, the small streams
draining the Făget and the Nirului/Nyírség sand hills were trained, interrupting this
way water supply to the marsh. The next step consisted of the excavation of the
Boghiş/Keleti, the Északi and the Central/Lápi drainage principals. As a result of these
measures the 9200 ha large Romanian part of the marsh retreated and dried up within a
relatively short period of time.
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