Slapy Reservoir, Water reservoir in Štěchovice, Czech Republic
Slapy Reservoir is a reservoir on the Vltava River northeast of Štěchovice in the Czech Republic, stretching over more than twelve kilometers in length. The dammed water lies behind a barrier that powers three turbines in a wooded valley and forms several bays with rocky and forested shores.
The dam was built between 1949 and 1955 as part of modernizing the Vltava for energy production and flood control. Heavy floods in 1954 filled the basin ahead of schedule, before all construction work was finished.
This reservoir takes its name from the nearby settlement of Slapy and has offered space for activities like sailing and fishing since the 1950s. Small holiday cottage communities have grown along the banks, turning the river valley into a weekend retreat.
Visitors will find four public camping areas along the shores as well as several small beaches and swimming spots. Access is possible at many points, with narrow roads through the forest leading to parking near the water.
The water reaches more than fifty meters at its deepest point, making it one of the deeper reservoirs in Central Europe. When the water level drops, the outlines of submerged villages and old bridges that were flooded during construction sometimes become visible.
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