Lipno Dam
Encyclopedia
The Lipno Dam is a dam with hydroelectric plant constructed along the Vltava
River in the Czech Republic
.
and other settlements, through which it flowed. To harness the power of the river, and to prevent continued catastrophe, it was decided that a hydroelectric plant would be built high on the Vltava. Preparatory work at the town of Lipno
began in 1951. Construction proper on the dam began in 1952, and the dam was completed in 1960.
out-put. This area is mountainous, and borders the Šumava National Park
and Nature Reserve. Linked to the main reservoir by an artificial sub-terrainian waterway is a smaller reservoir located near Vyšší Brod
. This smaller reservoir, labeled 'Lipno II', serves to level the water of the main reservoir.
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
River in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
.
History
Due to frequent flooding and subsequent damage, the Vltava River in Southern Bohemia had been problematic for the Český KrumlovČeský Krumlov
Český Krumlov is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle...
and other settlements, through which it flowed. To harness the power of the river, and to prevent continued catastrophe, it was decided that a hydroelectric plant would be built high on the Vltava. Preparatory work at the town of Lipno
Lipno
Lipno may refer to:* Lipno, Poland, a town in north-central Poland, seat of Lipno County*Lipno, Gmina Lipno in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship *Lipno, Świecie County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship...
began in 1951. Construction proper on the dam began in 1952, and the dam was completed in 1960.
Geography
The stream bed of the Vltava near Lipno was chosen because it has a slight incline, facilitating the construction of a reservoir there. The dam is built along the highest-elevated stage of the Vltava River's cascade http://www.czechtourism.com/133premier/en/cd/en/memories/memo108.htm (roughly 726 metres above sea level), thus enabling large amounts of hydropowerHydropower
Hydropower, hydraulic power, hydrokinetic power or water power is power that is derived from the force or energy of falling water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydropower has been used for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as...
out-put. This area is mountainous, and borders the Šumava National Park
Šumava National Park
Šumava National Park is a National Park in the Plzeň and South Bohemian Regions of the Czech Republic along the border with Germany and Austria...
and Nature Reserve. Linked to the main reservoir by an artificial sub-terrainian waterway is a smaller reservoir located near Vyšší Brod
Vyšší Brod
Vyšší Brod is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 2,600 inhabitants and it's the southernmost municipality in the Czech Republic. There is Vyšší Brod Monastery, very important historic landmark.-External links:*...
. This smaller reservoir, labeled 'Lipno II', serves to level the water of the main reservoir.