Bulgaria’s reservoirs as recreation sites or mountain vs. seaside

bnr.bg, Veneta Nickolova, Radostin Zhelev

In order to overcome the spring fatigue after the tiresome winter months one needs a vitamin-rich diet and a holiday in the open air. Although summer is still far away and it is too early for holidays at the seaside, why don’t we organize ourselves a small escapade from the urban smog amongst lush greenery and … water? Bulgaria’s artificial lakes offer exactly this opportunity. No wonder then that dozens of thousands of tourists spend their holidays on the banks of those spectacular water basins framed by mountain tops and flower-dotted meadows.
The number of people willing to take recreation near such artificial lakes in the mountains has been growing. It turns out tiny Bulgaria has wonderful capacities in that respect. There are more than 30 larger dams or artificial lakes in this country. Some of those ‘inland seas’ spread amidst the most gorgeous Bulgarian landscapes. No matter whether you will put up your own tent or book a luxury suite in one of the vacation villages that have mushroomed near the water surface, your holiday by the artificial lake could turn out an unforgettable experience!

There’s plenty of pastimes and entertainment there. Let us begin with angling and the emotions that accompany it. With the progress of spring the number of anglers waiting patiently for their catch becomes a more and more natural sight. And not without a good reason. Bulgaria’s dams teem with perch, golden carp, rudd, carp and other fresh water species. They move about in schools near the water surface like silvery veils basking in sunlight. It is a very pleasant feeling to cast a glance over the blue surface of Koprinka dam, built in Central Bulgaria, near the town of Kazanluk, and believed to contain the remains of the ancient Thracian city of Seuthopolis of 2000 years ago under the water. The nearby mountaintops of the Balkan Range gaze at their reflection in the waters. The tourist complex offers fresh fish delicacies or you can hire a pedal boat with which to glide on the smooth surface of the dam.

As a matter of fact a great number of the Bulgarian artificial lakes have become real rivals of the Bulgarian Black Sea shore in terms of water entertainment, and conditions for windsurfing, yachting, rowing, jet skiing, and the like. People tend to prefer the dams for the preserved nature, clean air and the picnics. Trekking, and mountain biking or horse riding in the nearby mountains or woods, are also very popular activities. The Dospat dam in the Rhodope mountain in Southern Bulgaria established itself as a top destination for angling and healthy lifestyle. Built at an altitude of 1200 m it holds the record for Bulgaria’s highest standing artificial lake. All around it there are spruce and pine forests, and the downward rushing mountain slopes towards the banks with cozy family hotels and private summerhouses perched here and there.

According to Evtim Cholakov, deputy mayor of Dospat municipality, last summer the area around Dospat dam was more crowded than some of the seaside resorts:
“The tourists have at their disposal 2-3 star hotels, or private lodgings that are being rented out. We have the ambition to set up by the lake an attractive tourist site with the respective sports facilities, a football field, etc. with the help of the EU’s structural funds. The municipality has started an otter saving project. The dam is the natural habitat of that protected species. Tourists are able to observe the otters from a specially constructed pontoon in the lake.”
Vucha dam lies in the southernmost part of the Rhodope mountain, incontestably one of the most beautiful places in Bulgaria. Its turquoise waters sprawl at the feet of the vertical mountain slopes. A narrow automobile route meanders high above the waters. For the time being the place is safe from the hordes of tourists and the few anglers who cast their fishing rods in the water enjoy a rich catch. The fish life here is abundant and varied. Rumours have it that the depths of the artificial lake hide sheatfish, some of it reaching the monstrous weight of 80 kg or more. Local anglers tell stories of the weird mustachioed giants which were in the habit of coming out of the water depths in the dead of night in search of prey. A nice-looking tourist complex overlooks the mirror surface of the water and attracts the visitors with its vast veranda. One can sprawl in the chaise longue sipping a cocktail, while a current of cool air comes from the nearby mountain and nothing can take away the feeling of timelessness and harmony with nature.