Lipno Reservoir receding reveals old structures and limits ferry service

Receding water levels at the Lipno Reservoir in the Czech Republic have revealed the remains of former buildings and infrastructure near Bližší Lhota. As the water level dropped in early September, traces of the landscape as it existed before the dam was filled in 1958 have become visible, including sites where a pub, a station, a jam factory, and a flax processing facility once stood.

The low water levels have also impacted local transport. The ferry service operating between Horní Planá and Bližší Lhota remains functional but faces significant restrictions. Due to the shallow depth, large trucks and tractors are no longer permitted on board, with the ferry now limited to a maximum of four cars and passengers per trip. Captains must navigate carefully to avoid submerged hazards, such as old roads lying on the reservoir floor.