Sosnówka, body of water
Sosnówka is a large reservoir near Jelenia Góra in the southern Jeleniogórska Valley, built on the site of former fish ponds. The facility consists of a main dam approximately 1.5 kilometers long with supporting structures, holding about 14 million cubic meters of water fed by the Podgórna river and the Sośniak and Czerwonka streams.
Construction of the reservoir began in 1986 and was completed in 2001, replacing the historic fish ponds known as Giersdorf-Seidorfer Teich that once occupied this site. The facility was developed to secure drinking water supply for the city of Jelenia Góra while providing flood control for the surrounding valley.
The name Sosnówka comes from the Polish word for pine tree, referring to the pine forests surrounding the area. Today, the reservoir serves as a peaceful gathering place where locals and visitors walk along the dam and reflect on the mountain landscape.
The reservoir is easily reached by foot, car, or public transport from nearby towns, located just a few kilometers from Karpacz and about 16 kilometers from Jelenia Góra. Visitors can walk along the dam or follow a scenic trail to the nearby castle of Duke Henry with views over the water and mountains.
Although built primarily for drinking water supply, initial plans called for recreational use including swimming, but waterproofing issues with the dam construction led to these activities being postponed indefinitely. Engineers continue ongoing repair work to address these technical challenges for potential future recreational development.
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