Dnieper Reservoir

The Dnieper Reservoir is a large artificial lake that stretches approximately 129 kilometers along the Dnieper River and covers an area of about 410 square kilometers. The average depth is about 8 meters, with water reaching much greater depths in certain places, and numerous bays and sandy beaches shape the shoreline.

The reservoir was created between 1927 and 1932 by building a dam to generate electricity and enable inland navigation. The dam destroyed the natural rapids and was damaged during World War II but was subsequently rebuilt and expanded.

The reservoir is today a place where local people fish and boat, especially during quieter months. Residents see it as a symbol of progress that supplies their communities with power and water while remaining a peaceful space for outdoor enjoyment.

The reservoir is accessible for fishing, boating, and water recreation, with different sections of shoreline offering various activities. Water levels vary by season, so checking conditions before visiting is helpful.

The reservoir flooded the once-famous Dnieper Rapids, a landmark for thousands of years that held symbolic meaning for the Cossacks. The recent destruction of the Kakhovka Dam downstream exposed ancient settlements that had been submerged for centuries.