Did you know that the Hornomlýnský rybník also known as Vernerák has a fascinating history? This pond before you wasn’t always so overgrown. It was once surrounded by pastures. Rocky outcrops lined its right bank. The original pond was much larger approximately 19000 square meters. The Hornomlýnský rybník as we see it today took shape in the 1990s. A section of the pond was filled in. This was part of a project to manage storm water from new housing developments in Kunratice. A new dam was built. A new road was constructed on top of the dam.
The Hornomlýnský rybník serves several purposes. It’s a vital retention basin for storm water. It’s also a place to raise fish. Every autumn the fish are harvested. The Hornomlýnský rybník is a significant element in the landscape. The pond itself isn’t particularly remarkable from a natural history standpoint. The banks drop steeply into the water. They are mostly shaded by trees. However a survey in 2013 recorded a surprising diversity of life around Vernerák. There were 47 plant species. There were 4 amphibian species 282 insect species 7 species of aquatic mollusks and 3 bird species.
Before the 1990s changes there was a mill. It stood beneath the dam on the west side of the Hornomlýnský rybník. It was the Hořejší mill. It operated until the end of the 20th century. The pond also boasts a settling basin. Built in the 1990s it captures sediment from storm water runoff. This protects the Kunratický potok. The city of Prague owns the settling basin. The Forests of the Capital City of Prague manage it. Regular inspections and cleaning keep the basin functioning.
In 2020 the Hornomlýnský rybník underwent a major revitalization. 7500 cubic meters of sediment were removed. The pond received new drainage infrastructure. The concrete structures of the safety overflow were renovated. The dam was also repaired. The Hornomlýnský rybník is more than just a pond. It is a testament to the interaction of human development and nature. It’s a living piece of Prague’s history. A place where past and present intertwine in the gentle lapping of the water against its banks.