Studen Kladenets, reservoir in Kardzhali Province, Bulgaria
Studen Kladenets is a large reservoir on the Arda River in Bulgaria's eastern region. The water serves hydroelectric power generation and irrigation, with steep rocky shorelines surrounded by vegetation.
The dam was constructed from 1955 to 1957, with the hydroelectric plant starting operations in 1958. The project was designed to manage the Arda River and provide electricity to the surrounding region.
The reservoir is accessible by car via well-maintained roads through small villages, with ample parking near the shore. Visitors should bring their own food and drinks as facilities nearby are limited.
The reservoir's name means "cold well" in Bulgarian. Its western arm holds the ruins of two medieval Bulgarian fortresses: Monyak on the northern shore and Vishegrad on the southern shore. The dam itself is 67.5 m high and 338 m long, with nine spillways on top, each 10.5 by 5 m.
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