Nowy wymiar hydrotechniki

Modern design office specializing in the implementation of BIM methodology in hydraulic engineering

Amphibian Breeding Tanks

zbiorniki rozrodcze dla płazów - projektowanie breeding tanks

Amphibians live in two environments. Although most species live on land, almost all amphibians lay their eggs and undergo their larval stage in water. Hence, the design of amphibian breeding tanks is important when building new roads or railways.

The construction of linear infrastructure often involves the removal of existing water bodies, which are breeding sites for amphibians. To compensate for these losses, special replacement reservoirs with suitable parameters are designed and built. In order to do this properly, knowledge and experience in designing such reservoirs is essential. The HydroBIM team has this set of qualifications, which is why we design breeding tanks.

Why are Amphibian Breeding Tanks Designed?

Replacement breeding tanks are designed as part of nature compensation. Designing only crossings for animals, including amphibians, is not enough. Amphibians need to breed in water and the absence of a tank leads to their rapid extinction. Reproduction tanks are intended to compensate amphibians for the loss of natural breeding sites, which are destroyed or access to them is blocked during construction. The construction of such a reservoir is necessary to ensure the survival of amphibians.

Amphibian Protection and Breeding Tanks Design

Most important for the success of a breeding tank is the choice of location. The ideal site should have suitable environmental conditions. It is important that the tank is located in the amphibians’ natural habitat. The location should provide access to clean water and the tank must be protected from excessive sunlight to prevent drying out. To select the optimal location of breeding tanks in HydroBIM, we use, among others, the software SCALGO Live. The tool allows us to estimate water accumulation areas according to a number of criteria, including terrain and rainfall.

scalgo_zbiorniki rozrodcze

Technical Parameters of the Reservoirs

Amphibian breeding tanks must meet specific technical requirements. The optimal reservoir depth is approximately 50-100 cm. The size and shape of the breeding tanks should mimic natural water bodies. A gentle slope of the banks (approx. 1:2.5) provides a riparian zone of varying depth and allows amphibians to easily colonise the tank and juveniles to abandon it.

Artificial banks that are too steep (e.g. concreted) are unfriendly to amphibians and prevent the development of shoreline vegetation. Such solutions should be avoided in the design of breeding reservoirs.

zbiorniki rozrodcze dla płazów

Natural, irregularly shaped shorelines create habitats for aquatic vegetation and invertebrates that provide a food base for amphibians and their larvae.

A varied shoreline with gentle gradients increases the surface area of potential sites for scurrying and larval development.

When designing amphibian compensation reservoirs on linear developments, such as roads or railways, we at HydroBIM pay particular attention to appropriate bank formation, optimum depth and water supply to ensure optimal conditions for amphibian breeding and development.

Maintenance and Monitoring of Breeding Tanks

In order for breeding reservoirs for amphibian species to function properly, monitoring and regular maintenance is essential. It is necessary to systematically remove silt and sediment that will accumulate on the bottom of the tank. Aquatic and coastal plants also need to be maintained. Their growth needs to be controlled so that they do not interfere with the natural processes in the tank. It is also important to check and repair any structural damage.

Although the maintenance of breeding tanks is not directly the responsibility of the designers, when designing compensation tanks we must bear in mind that maintenance activities will be carried out. Easy access to the tanks must be included in the design.

Outsource the Design of Breeding Tanks to HydroBIM Experts

As a subcontractor to the hydro and hydrology industry, we are working on the CPK railway projects. Our tasks include the design of amphibian breeding tanks.

If you need support with this type of project, ask for a quote.

Amphibian Breeding Tanks
Scroll to top