“Fancy a swim in the city?” someone might ask. Here at vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n you can do just that. Vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n is not just any body of water. It is a reservoir with a story as deep as its 7.5-meter depths.
Vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n sits in Prague 6. Specifically, it is in the Vokovice cadastre. This reservoir spans 13 hectares. That makes it the second largest natural swimming pool in Prague. Hostiva\u0159 reservoir is the only one bigger.
Let’s dive into its past. Vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n was built between 1966 and 1971. It was created on the \u0160\u00e1reck\u00fd Stream. Above the reservoir, though, the stream is called Litovick\u00fd. The primary reason for its construction? Recreation. Locals needed a place to unwind.
But there’s more to vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n than meets the eye. The reservoir also helps control floods. It softens the impact of high water on the Litovicko-\u0160\u00e1reck\u00fd Stream.
The dam is not massive. It stands 8.5 meters high and stretches 75 meters long. The average flow of water through the reservoir is 0.104 cubic meters per second.
In 2008, vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n got a makeover. The reservoir was dredged. The dam and technical features were fixed. A shallow area was added near the left bank. This created a wetland for water birds to nest and hide.
Today vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n continues to be a hotspot. People swim and fish here. In winter, it transforms into an ice-skating rink. You can sunbathe here. You can play beach volleyball. You can even rent a paddleboat.
Interestingly, there is a nudist beach here. But dogs are not allowed on any beach.
Getting here is easy. You can drive and park nearby for free. Trams also stop close to vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n.
Before we leave this refreshing spot consider this. Vodn\u00ed n\u00e1dr\u017e D\u017eb\u00e1n is more than just a reservoir. It is a place where history, recreation, and nature meet. It’s a testament to how we can shape our environment for the benefit of all.