Technical monuments
The dam on the Łomnica River in Karpacz was built not for its views but to protect the town from a powerful mountain river. In its upper reaches, the Łomnica has a very steep gradient, and after the catastrophic flood of 1897 a broad programme of flood-control works was launched. Between 1910 and 1915, parts of the riverbed were regulated and dams were constructed to retain both water and rock debris.
The stone dam in Karpacz has a 105-metre-long crest. A small reservoir formed behind it, while excess water spills over in cascades below the structure. It is a good example of historic engineering whose original purpose is still easy to understand: looking at the wide channel and stone reinforcements gives a clear sense of the force the Łomnica can generate during high water. The flood-control system also proved effective during the 1997 flood.
You can cross the top of the dam on foot, and a red hiking trail runs nearby. The site lies close to the centre of Karpacz, so it does not require a separate mountain hike and works well as a short walk between other attractions in town. After rain, take care on wet stones and do not enter the riverbed below the spillway.
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