Lipno II Reservoir, reservoir in Vyšší Brod, Czech Republic
Lipno II Reservoir is the largest water storage area in the Czech Republic, stretching about 44 kilometers along the Vltava river. The widest section near Černá v Pošumaví measures nearly 10 kilometers across, making it a substantial waterway for the region.
Construction of the dam began in 1952 and finished in 1959, though an older power plant had operated at the site from 1902 until the 1950s. The new system with the dam and reservoir improved both water management and electricity generation significantly.
Local residents call the Lipno II Reservoir the 'South Bohemian Sea' because of its size and role in the region. This name reflects how people have embraced this water system as a central feature of their landscape and daily connection to the area.
An information center in the attic of the dam building shows films hourly about the dam's construction and operation, plus a model of the power plant. Free parking is available at the end of the dam toward Vyšší Brod, and guided tours of the facility can be arranged in advance.
The system uses an underground connection where water from the upstream Lipno I plant flows into this reservoir and then exits along the riverbank again. This innovative design allows continuous power generation without disrupting the natural river flow itself.
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