The ”heroic age” of Dégen

The older generation of water management engineers looks back with nostalgia on the period between 1955 and 1975, associated with Imre Dégen’s water management policy, referring to it as the "heroic age" of Hungarian water management. Following the dismissal of his predecessor, Dégen became the head of the General Directorate of Water Management in 1955, and later, as State Secretary, served as the President of the National Water Office. He retired in 1975. The beginning of his water management policy thus dates back 70 years and its conclusion 50 years ago. These two anniversaries provide an appropriate opportunity to review the results of Imre Dégen’s water management policy and assess the impact of his professional work. This overview of his official career is based on bibliographical sources, archival documents, and personal recollections of his contemporaries.