Slapy Reservoir water levels drop, exposing waste and debris

Low water levels at the Slapy Reservoir in the Czech Republic, caused by a prolonged drought and hydrological management to maintain the Vltava River flow, have exposed significant amounts of waste and debris on the reservoir floor and banks. The receding water has revealed long-submerged items, including trash and car wrecks.

In response to the environmental situation, volunteers have been working for over a month to rescue rare mussels from the muddy shores by returning them to deeper water. To address the newly exposed pollution, the Vltava River Basin authority and the Czech Fishing Union have organized a large-scale cleanup event scheduled for the autumn holidays from October 28 to November 1. Participants must register in advance to participate in the cleanup efforts.