Jakub Steiner: Liberec Dam
The Liberec Dam reconstruction has finally concluded after three years, with water returning to the reservoir that serves as the city's 'living room'.
The Liberec Dam, Harcovská přehrada, has reopened after a massive reconstruction project that began in autumn 2022. The reservoir, described as the city's 'living room', had been drained for three years while workers replaced its infrastructure while preserving its historic listed landmark status.
The €20 million project involved removing 26,000 cubic meters of silt, injecting the original masonry with waterproofing, and installing new bottom outlets. The dam is now rated to withstand a 10,000-year flood, a capability that city officials hope remains theoretical.
Project Challenges
The reconstruction faced typical delays common in local projects, extending beyond the initial three-year timeline. Liberec, one of the most indebted cities in Czechia, invested significantly in this infrastructure upgrade despite its financial constraints.
A three-year job that -- in the finest local tradition -- took a bit longer and cost north of EUR 20 million.
Community Impact
During construction, the drained reservoir created an unusual 'moonscape' that attracted curious residents. Now refilled, the lake has regained its role as a popular walking and running spot with a refurbished beach, though the surrounding footpath remains incomplete on one side.
Photographer Jakub Steiner documented the transformation, creating aerial footage that unfortunately resulted in another drone being lost to the dam area, bringing his personal loss tally to two drones during the project.
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