Nové Mlýny Reservoir, reservoir in Dolní Věstonice, Czech Republic
Nové Mlýny Reservoir is a system of three connected basins built along the Dyje river in southern Moravia, near Dolní Věstonice. The upper basin has shallow shores, the middle one functions as a protected wetland area, and the lower basin contains turbines for generating electricity.
Work on the reservoir began in the 1970s with the goal of controlling floods along the Dyje and supporting agriculture in the region. The rising water submerged several villages, and the church of Saint Linhart from the old settlement of Mušov is still visible above the water line today.
The name "Nové Mlýny" means "New Mills" and recalls the mills that once stood along the Dyje. Today the upper basin draws swimmers and anglers, while birdwatchers tend to gather near the middle basin where reed beds attract a wide range of species.
Paths along the upper basin are easy to walk and give direct access to the shore for swimming or fishing, while the middle basin is better approached on foot for birdwatching. Wind can pick up over the open water, so a light layer is worth bringing along.
The middle basin was designed with artificial reed islands built as compensation for the wetlands lost during construction. These islands have become nesting grounds for protected bird species and a regular stop for migratory birds passing through central Europe.
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