Discover the beauty of Pastvin Dam

The Pastviny dam is located in the small village of Pastviny, which lies in the picturesque foothills of the Orlické Mountains, about 7 kilometres east of the town of Žamberk. This dam is an impressive engineering work, the construction of which took place between 1933 and 1938. The main source of water for the reservoir is the Divoká Orlice River, which is characterised in this region by its wildness and picturesque valley.

The construction of the reservoir had a significant impact on the surrounding area, as a total of 74 houses, including residential buildings, shops and a school, which stood on the site of the planned flooding, had to be demolished during the event. A key part of the dam structure is a reinforced concrete viaduct with two arches that spans the water surface and serves as an important road link between Žamberk and Králíky.

The total cost of the construction of the Pastviny dam reached a significant sum of 40 million crowns at that time, reflecting the scale and technical complexity of the project. In the following decades, the dam was gradually modernised and between 2000 and 2006, the plant's internal equipment and control system were extensively renovated, improving its efficiency and reliability.

In 2021, another major refurbishment of the dam's crown was announced and scheduled to take place between June 2021 and November 2022. This refurbishment included not only ensuring the stability of the dam, but also upgrading the surrounding infrastructure, including roads and pavements.

The Pastviny dam is not only a technical and engineering marvel, but also an important source for power generation. The power plant located at the dam uses the flowing water to drive turbines that generate clean energy for the surrounding region. In addition, the dam serves to regulate the flow of the river, protecting the surrounding areas from flooding, and is also a popular place for recreation and hiking. The largest bay of the reservoir is Studenecká Bay, which is a popular destination for visitors due to its beautiful nature and opportunities for water activities.

The history of the Pastviny Dam is intrinsically linked to the history of the region and testifies to man's ability to adapt natural resources to the needs of society. Today, the Pastviny reservoir is not only a technological and economic pillar, but also an important symbol of environmental protection and sustainable development that seeks to harmonise human activities with nature.