Mściwojów Reservoir

Mściwojów Reservoir is an artificial lake on the river Wierzbiak, a tributary of the Kaczawa, in the Kaczawa Foothills near Jawor. It was built as an engineering and ecological project, in which the polluted river cleans itself as it flows through wetlands planted with special vegetation before reaching the main basin of the reservoir.

Origin of the name

The reservoir was created by damming the Wierzbiak valley with an earth dam about 300-317 metres long and 7.6 metres high. Construction took place in the 1990s, and the reservoir was put into use in 1999. Scientists from the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław (formerly the Agricultural University) played a major role in developing the concept, designing a system for biologically treating the water flowing into the reservoir. At normal water level the area is 35 hectares, and the maximum depth reaches 5-6 metres. The reservoir's waters are rated as class I purity.

By the water

A walking path runs along the reservoir with views of the Strzegom Hills. On the right bank a scout centre operates a hire service for sailing boats, kayaks, Canadian canoes and windsurfing equipment, and there is also a jetty and tourist shelters. The reservoir is a fishing spot, managed by the "Wierzbiak" branch of the Polish Angling Association - carp, pike, perch, tench, crucian carp, bream and trout are caught here. Three biological barriers separate the main basin from the preliminary reservoir, and parts of the wetlands form islands where waterbirds nest.

Nearby

Local cultural institutions operate close to the reservoir: the Culture Centre and Library in Mściwojów and the Public Library Branch in Targoszyn. A few kilometres further, in Rogoźnica, stands the Gross-Rosen Museum, a memorial site at the former German concentration camp. In Jawor it is worth visiting the Xtreme KiDS play centre with activities for children.

Practical information

• Access: the reservoir lies by the village of Mściwojów, a dozen or so kilometres from Jawor, reachable by car on local roads.
• Parking: available at the reservoir, near the scout centre.
• Route: a walking path runs along the shore, with views of the Strzegom Hills.
• Seasonality: the water sports equipment hire and some of the recreational attractions operate seasonally; fishing and walks are possible for most of the year.