Rožmberk Pond
Rožmberk Pond is the largest pond in the Czech Republic with an impressive area of 648 hectares. It was built between 1584 and 1590 by the renowned pond-builder Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. It is sometimes referred to as the "South Bohemian Sea".
The Rožmberk dam is 2,430 meters long, up to 10 meters high, and 55 meters wide at the base. Around the dam grow oaks that are 150 to 400 years old. Originally, the pond covered an area of about 1,060 hectares and flooded meadows up to the edge of Třeboň. However, because fish thrive better in shallow water, it was decided to lower the water level. Floodwaters from the Lužnice River are diverted by the ingenious New River.
In addition to fish farming, the pond is also used for recreation and swimming.
The construction of Rožmberk was initially planned by Štěpánek Netolický, who was concerned about the amount of water from the Lužnice basin. His successor Jakub Krčín carried out the construction of the pond and also built the New River, which separates from the Lužnice at a watershed and diverts part of its water into the Nežárka basin, thus protecting Rožmberk from flooding. The pond was completed in 1590 and has since been a masterpiece of Czech pond engineering.
Interesting facts about Rožmberk:
At the end of the dam, beneath its easternmost part, is the safety spillway of the pond, which ensures the slowing, dispersal, and drainage of floodwaters under the dam and into the Lužnice River.
The Rožmberk dam is also an important natural site. It is covered with massive centuries-old oaks, in whose cavities various species of birds nest. In winter, you can even see rare white-tailed eagles at the pond and in the surrounding area.
Near the spillway stands a stone water gauge that shows the water level in Rožmberk during floods.
Below the dam are historic fish tanks that are now used only during the draining of Rožmberk.
Do you know that...
… did you know that the pond originally covered about 1,060 hectares and flooded meadows as far as the edge of Třeboň? However, since fish thrive better in shallow water, it was decided to lower the water level.
