The Reško Lake

The Reško Lake near Kočevska Reka represents an invaluable habitat for numerous fish species and birds, while its forest reserve offers shelter to wild animals.

The Reški potok stream is a Karst underground stream which springs in Može and disappears underground near old garages. Its riverbed is approx. 3000 m long. As late as the 1920s, there used to be three mills and a sawmill situated along it. They were called Zgornji, Sprednji and Spodnji mlin (Upper, Middle and Lower Mill). Nowadays piles of rocks and a few walls hardly remind of their existence.

In the 1970s, fishermen suggested damming the stream, so the preparatory works started in 1977. Parts of the riverbed and the banks were cleaned. In 1978 a dam was built in the place where Srednji mlin (Middle Mill) and sawmill once stood.

A bridge leads across the dam and a harrow beneath it prevents chunks of wood and branches from being carried away after heavy rain.

The surface of the lake extends over 18 hectares and depends on the water level. The lower part of the lake is intended for fishing and other types of recreation, whereas the upper part is a natural breeding area for fish and nesting birds.

The forest zone along the lake and the stream was proclaimed a 51.03-hectare natural reserve called The Lake (Jezero). Surrounding forests consist mainly of thick spruce tree stand.