Gazivoda Lake, Artificial reservoir in Kosovska Mitrovica region, Kosovo and Serbia.
Gazivoda Lake is an artificial reservoir in the Kosovska Mitrovica region, straddling Kosovo and Serbia. The water serves cooling functions for two power plants and supplies irrigation for farmland in the surrounding communities.
The lake was built between 1973 and 1977 as part of the Ibar-Lepenc hydro system, with support from Yugoslavia and the World Bank. This large infrastructure project transformed the region's energy supply and water management.
The shoreline holds traces of Roman settlements and medieval structures from centuries past. Visitors walking along the water's edge may notice remnants that speak to the region's layered history and the communities that once inhabited this area.
The lake is easiest to reach by car, with good roads and clear signage in the region. Access to certain areas may be restricted due to the proximity of energy facilities, so visitors should check local conditions beforehand.
Medieval tombstones recovered from the lake basin reveal settlements that existed before flooding submerged the area during construction. These finds offer a rare glimpse into communities now resting beneath the water's surface.
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