Siemianówka Reservoir

A railway embankment with two tracks – one standard-gauge and one broad-gauge – runs straight across the reservoir and ends at the Belarusian border. Siemianówka Reservoir (Jezioro Siemianowskie) is a dammed lake on the upper Narew River, just north of the Białowieża Forest. At its highest level it covers 32.5 km² and is one of the best birdwatching spots in the Podlasie region.

History: a reservoir on the Narew

The reservoir was created in 1977–1990, when the Narew was dammed with an earth embankment near the villages of Łuka and Rybaki. It is about 11 km long, 0.8 to 4.5 km wide and on average 3.5 m deep, holding 79.5 million m³ of water at its highest level. It lies in the Michałowo and Narewka districts and takes its name from the village of Siemianówka. It was meant to supply water to the Narew National Park, irrigate meadows in the Narew valley and at Bagno Wizna, and serve fisheries and recreation.

Today its future is disputed. As OKO.press reported, conservationists and the Narew National Park argue that the reservoir lowers water levels in the Narew downstream and should be reduced. Local councils defend it as a tourist attraction.

What to see

• The railway embankment – the line from Siedlce and a broad-gauge line from Chryzanów cross the water from near Siemianówka to Cisówka. According to Birdingplaces, the dykes along the tracks are the favourite spot of birdwatchers, offering an easy walk and views on both sides.
• Reedbeds and floodplains – the eastern and southern shores, with muddy shallows and wet meadows, are the most rewarding.
• Birds – in summer all three marsh tern species, both stork species, Slavonian grebe and corncrake breed here, and Marsh Sandpiper and Citrine Wagtail have begun breeding at the far eastern end.

Interesting facts

A scene from "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" was filmed on the frozen reservoir – the one where the children flee across the ice from the White Witch. The reservoir is also used for fish farming and yields 15–30 tonnes of fish a year.

Tripto tip

Spring and the autumn migration are best for birds, and the morning light over the reeds is the finest. You reach Siemianówka village on the southern shore by road from Białowieża via Hajnówka. For the northern shore, drive west from Siemianówka to Juszkowy Gród and on to Ciskowa. This is a border zone, so carry ID and follow the signs. In winter, do not walk on the ice without checking conditions. Check fishing rules and beach access with the Michałowo and Narewka councils.