The study discusses the levels of nutrient contamination of river waters in the Barycz river catchment as dependent on the natural and economic conditions of the catchment. The research was based on the results of author’s studies on the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in the river waters within the catchment in the period 2000–2002 and the data from the National Environmental Monitoring for the hydrological years 1993–2002. The natural and economic conditions of subcatchments were characterised by defining the land-use pattern, soil types, climatic conditions, and point sources of contamination lying in the catchment area. It was found that the contamination of river water is higher in catchments with dominant heavy soils and intensive agricultural production (Orla and Rów Polski) than in catchments with light soils and a high proportion of forests (Sąsiecznica and Barycz up to the Łąki gauging section).

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