Gajševsko jezero, reservoir in Slovenia

Gajševsko jezero is a flood-control reservoir on the Ščavnica River, created in 1973 by damming the river. It lies between Gajševci and Grabe pri Ljutomeru, where the Ščavnica valley opens onto the Mursko polje. The shallow, silted lake has an average depth under 3 m and a muddy bottom that tints the water brown. A 2.9 km dike of broken stone covered with wire mesh encloses it, topped since 2016 by a gravel foot and cycle path.

The reservoir was created in 1973 with the construction of a dam on the Scavnica to prevent flooding in the surrounding region. Since its inception, it has become an important part of local water management and recreational landscape.

The name comes from the nearby village of Gajševci, reflecting the settlement history of the area. Today the reservoir serves as a gathering place where people fish, cycle, and windsurf, showing how locals have adopted it for recreation and leisure activities.

The lake is easily accessible with parking available nearby and a well-maintained walking trail around the water. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as fishing, cycling, and windsurfing in windy conditions, while the flat terrain makes access convenient for people of all ages.

The reservoir's 2.9 km embankment, faced with broken stone and covered with wire mesh, has carried a gravel foot and cycle path since 2016. The dam holds back 2.6 million m³ of water, and the original plan was to use it for irrigating farmland.