Šance water reservoir
The Šance reservoir was built between 1964 and 1969 on the upper course of the Ostravice River with the aim of supplying the population with drinking water and protecting the local area from floods. It can be found in the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mountains and got its name by deriving from the nearby hill Šance, 576 meters high, and located on its left bank near the dam.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Šance water reservoir
Technical parameters
The stony dam of the Šance reservoir used to be the highest in the Czech Republic. It has an inclined sealing clay core and its total volume is 1,340,000 m3. In order to protect the quality and ensure the health safety of the water in the tank, there are zones of hygienic protection. The base of the Chance tank is sealed by a single-row injection screen up to 70 meters deep in some places.
The construction of the dam itself required the flooding of the central area of the village of Staré Hamry and the abolition of the railway line connecting the villages of Bílá and Ostravice. The road leading to Bílá, which was transferred to the flyover to the left bank, did not go without modifications.
The Šance reservoir is currently fulfilling its original purpose, ie it provides sufficient drinking water for the area in the middle of the Beskydy Mountains and collects supplies in Nová Ves in Frýdlant nad Ostravicí, where the water treatment plant is located. As strict hygienic protection must be observed here, swimming and other recreational activities are prohibited.
TIP for a trip: A walk around the Šance reservoir
As a starting point for a walk to the Šance water reservoir, you can choose the railway stop in Ostravice, from where take the blue route No. 461. This will take you to the reservoir and route number 6178 leading to Staré Hamry.
At the settlement of Medvědí, a forest asphalt road continues, followed by a blue-marked hiking trail. At the crossroads below Včelín, join the yellow road, which will take you to the top of Skalka. At Bučací potok there is a connection to the red route with a destination in Ostravice.
Author: Andrea Štyndlová