Bílá Desná dam site marks 110 years since catastrophic failure

The Bílá Desná dam site in the Jizera Mountains marks the 110th anniversary of a catastrophic failure that occurred on September 18, 1916. Originally constructed to protect the foothills from flooding, the dam was completed in 1915 but failed less than a year after its inspection. The breach released a massive torrent of mud, stones, and debris into the valley.

Today, the site, often referred to as ‘Protrženka’, has transitioned from a site of tragedy to a significant tourist destination. Approximately 200,000 tourists visit the area annually, a fourfold increase compared to 2015. While remnants of the dam and a sluice tower remain in the forest, the valley has been revitalized through local improvements.