Czorsztyn Lake water levels drop, revealing submerged village

Water levels in Czorsztyn Lake have dropped to exceptionally low values, revealing the remains of the submerged village of Stare Maniowy. The receding waters have exposed the outlines of the settlement, which was dismantled before the reservoir was filled nearly three decades ago.

Local officials are warning the public to exercise extreme caution when visiting the area. They state that the exposed lake bed is unstable and muddy, warning that a thin crust of sediment may hide deep mud that could act as a deadly trap for pedestrians and history enthusiasts.

The decline in water levels is attributed to drought, high temperatures, and water management practices on the Dunajec River, reflecting a broader negative water balance in the Vistula river basin.