Studena Reservoir
Pernik
Studena Reservoir is an artificial lake situated in Western Bulgaria at the western end of the Vitosha mountain, on the upper course of the Struma River. Constructed in 1953 by submerging the villages of Vitoshko and Krapets, the reservoir serves primarily as a source of drinking and industrial water for the city of Pernik and surrounding settlements. Its dam is a concrete gravity structure with buttresses, standing 53 meters high and 268 meters long. The reservoir collects water not only from the Struma River and its tributaries but also from two diversion canals in the Iskar basin, including the Vladaya and Palakariya canals. A hydroelectric power plant named VEC "Studena" was commissioned in 1955 near the dam, equipped with two Francis turbines producing a total of 780 kW. Fishing is prohibited to protect the water quality, and the reservoir is guarded. In 1992, the dam's spillway was upgraded to increase the reservoir's capacity to a maximum volume of 25.2 million cubic meters. Studena Reservoir is notable for its engineering achievements, including the first underwater welding repair in Bulgaria during the 1960s.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Studena Reservoir for sightseeing is during late spring to early autumn when the weather is favorable. Since fishing is prohibited, visitors should respect the protected status of the reservoir. Access to the dam and hydroelectric facility might be restricted, so it is recommended to check local regulations and obtain necessary permissions if planning a visit. No ticket purchase is required for general viewing, but guided tours may need prior arrangement.
Faits intéressants
- •Studena Reservoir was created by submerging two villages, Vitoshko and Krapets, in 1953.
- •The repair of the intake tower gate in the 1960s was the first underwater welding operation in Bulgaria.
- •The reservoir receives water from the Struma River basin as well as from diversion canals connected to the Iskar basin.
- •The hydroelectric power plant at Studena has two Francis turbines with a combined capacity of 780 kW.
- •Fishing is forbidden in the reservoir to protect water quality, making it a strictly guarded area.
Histoire
Studena Reservoir was constructed in 1953 by flooding the villages of Vitoshko and Krapets, which were subsequently removed.
Shortly after completion, a structural collapse blocked the intake tower's lower gate, which was only repaired in the mid-1960s using pioneering underwater welding techniques.
In 1957, a small hydroelectric plant named VEC "Republic" was briefly operated using water from the reservoir's diversion canal but was later discontinued.
The main hydroelectric power plant, VEC "Studena," started operation in 1955 with two turbines.
In 1992, the dam's spillway was elevated to increase water storage capacity, reflecting ongoing developments to meet regional water demands.