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Bílá Desná dam failure commemoration

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2026-09-22 15:55 UTC → 2026-09-25 13:39 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In September 2026, events were held to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Bílá Desná dam failure in the Jizera Mountains. The disaster occurred on September 18, 1916, when the ~~dam collapsed, sending~~ dam, completed in 1915, collapsed and sent a massive surge of water, debris, and stones into the valley. The catastrophe resulted in the deaths of between 62 and 67 people and destroyed various structures, including homes, a sawmill, and glassworks. Technical research indicates the collapse was likely caused by insufficient geological surveys, as the dam was constructed on compressible gravel deposits and a deep tectonic fault, leading to internal erosion. The anniversary commemoration on September 19 drew approximately 3,000 attendees and featured cultural performances. The event was a collaborative effort between the towns of Desná and Albrechtice v Jizerských horách, alongside several regional environmental and water management agencies. Following the disaster, the site—often referred to as ‘Protrženka’—has transitioned from a place of tragedy into a significant tourist destination. While remnants of the dam and a sluice tower remain in the forest, the valley has undergone revitalization through local improvements. The area now attracts approximately 200,000 tourists annually, representing a fourfold increase compared to 2015.

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