International School of Hydraulics (till 2003 a national event) has a very long tradition. It was initiated in 1981 and took place without interruption each year. Throughout that period it was successfully organized by the Institute of Hydro-Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The School has been carried out under the auspices of the Committee for Water Resources Management of the Polish Academy of Sciences (currently: Committee on Water Sciences and Water Management) and the International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR).
Starting from the 26th edition, organization of the International School was taken over by the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences. The XXVI School took place at Goniądz in Biebrza National Park, the XXVII at Hucisko / the Eagle's Nest / in the heart of the Jura Region in southern Poland, the XXVIII at the Podewils Castle in Krąg, the XXX at the Wiejce Palace, the XXXII at the Palace Łochów, the XXXIV at the Palace Żelechów, and the XXXVI in Jachranka on the shore of Zegrze Reservoir. The XXXVIII edition was held in Łąck near Włocławek Dam. The XL edition was held on the Baltic Sea coast in the holiday village of Kąty Rybackie, located near the Vistula Spit and Gdańsk, and included a visit to the laboratories of the Institute of Hydro-Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences. The most recent, XLII International School of Hydraulics took place at Hotel Radocza Park Active & SPA, located about 40 km from Kraków. The region, where the Vistula River has its headwaters, is home to some of Poland's most picturesque dams, including the Świnna Poręba Dam, Dobczyce Dam, Porąbka Dam and the Goczałkowice Reservoir Dam.
All events turned out to be a great success and gathered many researchers from various countries, among them the European leaders in the field of hydraulics. Starting from 2008 the International School of Hydraulics takes place every second year.
