Lakes

Poraj Reservoir

Between Poraj, Żarki-Letnisko and Masłońskie, in the eastern part of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, stretches the Poraj reservoir, also known as Lake Porajskie. Its surface of more than 5.5 km², nearly 5 km in length and about 15 km of shoreline make it one of the larger artificial reservoirs in the region and a major summer recreation centre.

A reservoir built for a steel mill

The dam reservoir was created on the Warta river in 1978 for the needs of the Bolesław Bierut Steelworks in Częstochowa — it was meant to store industrial water. The maximum depth reaches 13 metres, the average is 3.9 m, and the capacity is around 25 million m³. Holiday resorts grew up along the banks, and the water has long served sailors and sunbathers.

Beaches, sails and Bird Island

The most pleasant part is the left, natural bank with its gentle slope towards the water and sandy stretches used as beaches. By the dam in Poraj, at the northern end, sailing boats glide across the water. In the southern part of the reservoir, near Masłońskie, lies Bird Island (Ptasia Wyspa) — a refuge for swans, ducks and grey wagtails, and with a bit of luck you may also spot a sandpiper with a long bill. Marked cycling trails run around the lake, attracting cyclists all year round.

Practical information

The car park by the dam in Poraj is free and available around the clock; from the Masłońskie side, Słoneczna and Sportowa streets lead down to the water. The beach season falls in the summer holidays; outside it the banks are good for walks along the embankment and birdwatching.