The flood control reservoir Słup in the northern part of the Jawor Plain is the largest water reservoir in the Land of Extinct Volcanoes. It was created in the years 1974–78 by damming the Nysa Szalona River with an earth-concrete dam measuring 940 m in length and 21 m in height, located above the village of Słup.
A artificial lake was created with a length of almost 5 km at full capacity, a surface area of 4.9 km2, and a maximum depth of 20 m. The reservoir is used for fishing purposes, aided by its first-class water purity. The waters of the reservoir, especially in the shallow eastern part where marshes and reed beds appear, serve as a habitat for waterfowl. During migration periods, the presence of up to 80 species of waterfowl is recorded.
The construction of the reservoir led to the flooding of two villages in the eastern part of the current lake. In the small village of Brachów, there was a palace where Prussian Field Marshal Blücher formulated battle plans before the Battle of the Katzbach in August 1813. The buildings of Brachów were connected with the buildings of the village of Żarki. Some of them were located beyond the reach of the reservoir; however, they were dismantled during the liquidation of the village. However, traces of stone and brick foundations remain, and at the crossroads in the upper part of the former village stands a tall cross. The names of the shores of the reservoir bear the traces of the village. The southern shore is called Żareckie, and the northern shore is Brachowskie.
Description: Piotr Migoń
