Lake Wrzeszczyńskie

Lake Wrzeszczyńskie is a dam reservoir on the River Bóbr, lying in the municipality of Jeżów Sudecki in Karkonosze County. It covers about 40 hectares, stretches for about 3 kilometres, and reaches a width of up to 200 metres. It is the younger and smaller neighbour of Lake Pilchowickie - both reservoirs lie in the same Bóbr valley, a few kilometres apart.

Where it came from

The dam at Wrzeszczyn was built in 1926-1927, making it the youngest of the power reservoirs on the Bóbr - it reaches a height of 21 metres. It was created as part of the post-war flood-control programme launched after the catastrophic floods of 1888, 1890 and 1897, as the seventh structure in that programme. The reservoir lies between Lake Modre and Lake Pilchowickie and, in relation to the latter, acts as a compensating reservoir, stabilising the level of water flowing further down the valley.

The Wrzeszczyn Power Plant operates by the dam and was the first power plant in Silesia fitted with Kaplan turbines, a design patented only in 1919. Remarkably, the turbines and generators installed at the time are still working today. The bridge linking the dam with nearby Siedlęcin was destroyed in 1945, after the end of the Second World War.

By the water

A yellow walking trail from Siedlęcin to Lubomierz runs along the lake shore, and the ER-6 "Bóbr Valley" cycling route crosses the crest of the dam, with a view of the water outlets leading to the power plant's turbines. It is a pleasant spot for a short stop during a hike or a ride through the Bóbr valley, combining scenic qualities with the region's engineering history.

Nearby

• Ośrodek jeździecki Appaloosa - the nearest option for horse-riding enthusiasts.
• Wieża Rycerska w Siedlęcinie - a Gothic defensive structure with preserved wall paintings.
• Zapora Pilchowice - the neighbouring, larger reservoir and its historic dam.
• Stajnia Rybnica - another riding centre in the area.
• Biblioteka in Rybnica - the local cultural institution.

Practical information

• Getting there: via local roads in the municipality of Jeżów Sudecki, from Jelenia Góra or Wleń.
• The ER-6 cycling route runs along the crest of the dam and allows a visit to be combined with Lake Pilchowickie.
• The yellow walking trail along the shore is suitable for a walk at any time of year.
• The lake is not an official bathing site - check current water conditions in the region on the GIS Bathing Site Service (sk.gis.gov.pl).