Lakes and dams Dolní Bečva

On the upper reaches of the Rožnovská Bečva river, which flows through the Zlínský kraj, the Horní Bečva water reservoir was built during the Second World War. Although it is a relatively small dam in the village of Horní Bečva in the Vsetín district, over time it has gained the favour of a large number of tourists who spend their holidays domestically.

Construction of the Horní Bečva dam began as early as 1933, but it was not completed and put into operation until 1947. As is often the case with dams, the original intention was to prevent destructive floods in the Bečva river basin. Several similarly small reservoirs were planned for the area, but only the Bystřička dam was realised alongside Horní Bečva. An interesting fact is that a condition for the construction of the reservoir was the non-interruption of road traffic leading through the valley; therefore, the road first had to be diverted from the valley to the right slope of the future reservoir. The last reconstruction took place between 2005 and 2006, when Horní Bečva was drained.

When heading to the Horní Bečva waterworks, visitors should expect grassy beaches and a gradual sandy entry into the water. The maximum depth in the reservoir is around 7 metres, and the dam measures only 250 metres. If you are expecting crystal-clear water, you may be disappointed. The water in the Horní Bečva dam is naturally slightly turbid and tends to have a brownish-green colour. It is a popular spot for fishing, and there is also the possibility of engaging in water sports. Another advantage is the option of accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the dam.

If you wish to enjoy your holiday in peace, we recommend securing accommodation near the Horní Bečva water reservoir in advance. The best course of action is to check the offers of guesthouses, apartments, or campsites directly in the village of the same name. Larger groups will also find spacious cabins or cottages here, and even stylish dřevěnice (traditional wooden houses). Should it happen that everywhere is full during the peak season, the neighbouring Prostřední Bečva and Dolní Bečva, or perhaps Velké Karlovice, offer an equally varied range of accommodation. Regardless of your choice, your comfort is assured.

And now, we may look around the surroundings to see where else you might set off. If you are a dedicated nature lover and nothing attracts you more than peace and fresh air, take a trip to the Miloňová lookout tower or the Kněhyně – Čertův mlýn nature reserve. And if you have never been to Radhošť, you should stop by on your way past the Radegast statue. In unfavourable weather, you may visit, for example, the Muzeum sklářství Karolinka or the Valašské národní divadlo. And if you are heading to Severní Morava with children, they will surely be thrilled by a visit to the Tarzanie rope park in nearby Trojanovice. Simply choose your dates and accommodation. So, feel free to get started.

The Vodní nádrž Karolinka can be found in the south of the town of the same name, in forested hilly terrain between the Vsetínské vrchy and Javorníky mountain ranges. It lies on the Velká Stanovnice river. For this reason, this area is sometimes also referred to as the Vodní nádrž Stanovnice. The town of Karolinka is interesting not only because of this reservoir, but tourists are also attracted by the local Skiareál Karolinka or the Valašské národní divadlo. It is certainly among the frequent destinations for travellers within the Vsetín district and the entire Zlínský kraj.

Construction of the dam began in June 1977 and was completed in 1985. Two years later, it was put into permanent operation. During the filling of the dam, several predominantly agricultural homesteads were flooded. These residents moved into several apartment buildings and family houses in Karolinka that were built for this purpose.

The main task of the Vodní nádrž Karolinka is to ensure a supply of drinking water for the inhabitants of the Vsetín, Klobouky, Valašsko, and Zlín regions, as well as to regulate the water flow of the river and protect the surroundings from potential floods. During warm and dry months, on the other hand, it serves to maintain at least the minimum flow.

The length of the Karolinka dam wall is 391.5 metres, its width is 5 metres, and its height above the riverbed is 35.5 metres. The water surface area is just under 51 hectares. In 1995, two turbine sets were installed at the bottom outlet closures, allowing for water extraction from three different depth levels in the reservoir, which enabled the construction of a small hydroelectric power plant.

In terms of water quality, the Vodní nádrž Karolinka is among the highest-quality reservoirs in the Morava river basin. This is mainly due to the purity of the Velká Stanovnice river, which rises directly on the slopes of the Javorníky. In the reservoir, the water neither overheats nor becomes polluted from the surroundings, as there are almost no villages or industrial or agricultural enterprises in its immediate vicinity. With its clear surface, it attracts people primarily in the summer for swimming and water sports. However, this is strictly prohibited due to the purpose of the dam.

Therefore, one should at least go for a walk around the water reservoir, which provides excellent living conditions for a large number of plants and animals. You can see various species of water birds, such as the mallard or the osprey. Among fish, graylings and pikes are represented. And if you are lucky, you may even encounter crayfish.

The easiest access to the Vodní nádrž Karolinka is by car, which you can park on the widened road shoulder by the dam wall. A marked cycle path or two hiking trails also lead nearby. You can follow these to reach other interesting places that Karolinka offers. In addition to the aforementioned ski resort and theatre, there is, for example, the Muzeum sklářství, which has had a rich history here since 1860. Other tourist routes will take you to further corners of the Chráněná krajinná oblast Beskydy.

If you plan to spend your holiday in this picturesque region, you will likely be looking for a place where you can relax after a day full of experiences and prepare for new adventures. Accommodation near the Vodní nádrž Karolinka is provided by cottages and chalets, picturesque log cabins, private accommodation, as well as high-quality apartments. A higher standard of lodging, including services, is offered by guesthouses and hotels. Conversely, a somewhat wilder but romantic type of accommodation is provided by campsites. Whatever you choose, we are sure that you will certainly enjoy your stay here.