Liberec wants to begin the revitalization of the area around the renovated dam next year after winter

Liberec - Liberec wants to start the revitalization of the area around the under-construction Harcov dam next year after winter. The city estimates the costs to be 45 million crowns, of which about half would, according to Deputy Mayor Jiří Janďourek (Mayors for the Liberec Region), be covered by European subsidies. According to him, the city hall will also reconsider the possible closure of Zvolenská Street on the left bank of the reservoir, at least for some days.

"We agreed that we would prepare a project for safe traffic regarding Zvolenská Street. That we would try to close Zvolenská Street on holidays or weekends," Janďourek stated.

Before reconstruction, the dam was a popular place for walks and recreational running. However, the promenade path is only on the right bank; on the other side is Zvolenská Street, which is a winding and unclear road with two-way car traffic. For this reason, it has been discussed in Liberec for several years whether it would be better to close it to traffic and use it only for recreation and sports activities, especially in summer.

According to Janďourek, any potential closure of Zvolenská Street will only take place after the dam reconstruction is completed, as it is also needed by the companies carrying out the repairs. "At the moment, we need to keep it available for the removal of sediment from the dam," added the deputy mayor.

The Harcov dam is owned by the Elbe River Basin Authority and is a cultural monument. Its surroundings belong to the city and are among the most valuable green spaces in Liberec. Since last autumn, the dam has been drained. Due to the reconstruction of the dam's embankment, the right bank wall, and the dredging of the bottom, it will remain empty until the summer of 2025. Elbe Basin Authority spokesperson Hana Bendová said today that the work is proceeding according to schedule. "After the reservoir was drained and handed over to the contractor in October 2022, work began simultaneously at several locations, starting with the removal of dam reinforcement and the breaking of rock at the future entrance to the injection tunnel. The mild winter this year allowed for the commencement of sediment extraction from the reservoir," Bendová stated.

In March, according to her, the restoration of the right bank wall also started, so that Liberec's planned revitalization could follow. The dam has been closed since March due to construction work. An entrance to a new underground tunnel is being created there. "At the same time, work is underway to point the air side of the dam and dismantle the safety spillways and the channel under the dam. The original technological equipment was removed from the lower outlets," added Bendová. The dam reconstruction will cost 388 million crowns excluding tax, supported by a European subsidy. After the repairs are completed, the dam will be better able to protect Liberec during heavy rains and will handle much larger water flows than it can now.

At the same time, the city wants to make this area more attractive for its visitors. The promenade path and the beach should be renewed. There will be more water access points, play equipment for children and adults, as well as new benches, street lighting, and trash bins. The city also wants to improve access from the busy intersection of Zvolenská and Svobody streets and facilitate access to the dam from Králův háj, which currently leads down a steep slope.