Zapora wodna Smukała, Hydroelectric dam in Bydgoszcz, Poland
Smukała Dam holds back the Brda River to create a water reservoir surrounded by forest. The facility operates two turbines that generate electricity.
A hydroelectric station was built in 1902 to power a carbide factory. Polish forces destroyed it during their retreat in 1939 as German troops advanced.
A kayak monument on the western shore commemorates Pope John Paul II's paddling trips through this river in the 1950s. The site connects water recreation with religious memory in a simple way.
The shorelines offer space for walking and watching water activities. A visit is easiest during dry weather, as the forest trails around the water are more accessible then.
The dam raises the river level significantly and creates a large lake surrounded by forest. This artificial body of water has become a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing.
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