Chomoutovské jezero

Chomoutovské jezero (Chomoutov Lake) sits in the Chomoutov district of Olomouc, in Moravia. Despite its natural appearance, the lake is an entirely man-made feature that has grown into one of the region's most important breeding sites for waterbirds, drawing birdwatchers and casual walkers from across Olomouc and beyond.

How did the lake come to exist?

The lake began as a sand and gravel quarry. Once extraction ended, the excavated pit filled with water, and reed beds and marsh vegetation gradually took hold along its banks. Over the decades the former quarry turned into an extensive wetland habitat, and little of its industrial past remains visible today. The lake lies within the floodplain of the Morava River, next to the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area.

How large is the lake?

Chomoutovské jezero covers 85 hectares, yet it stays shallow throughout, with a maximum depth of just 2 meters. That shallowness supports dense aquatic and shoreline vegetation, which in turn provides food and shelter for the birds that use the lake.

Why is the lake a protected site?

On January 1, 2011, the area was designated a natural monument (přírodní památka), administered by the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area authority. The reason for protection is straightforward: the lake's shores serve as a nesting ground for numerous species of migratory waterfowl, and this breeding function is what earned the site its protected status.

What birds can you see here?

More than 160 bird species have been recorded on and around the lake, making it one of the richer birdwatching sites in Moravia. The larger of the lake's islands hosts a sizeable black-headed gull colony of several thousand breeding pairs — one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the region. Alongside the gulls, visitors can spot great cormorants, mallards, grey herons, great crested grebes, garganeys, and mute swans on and around the water. A dedicated observation tower stands near the shore, letting visitors watch the colony without approaching the nesting areas and disturbing the birds.

What should you know before visiting?

Walking paths circle the lake, making it easy to explore on foot or by bike, and they see the most visitors during the breeding season when bird activity peaks. Because the site is protected specifically for its role as a nesting ground, conservation takes priority here over water-based recreation — visitors are expected to stick to the marked paths and keep their distance from nesting areas.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Chomoutovské jezero? The site is protected as a natural monument precisely because of its importance for nesting waterbirds, so habitat protection takes precedence over swimming or other water recreation here.

How did the lake form? It originated as a sand and gravel quarry; once extraction stopped, the pit filled with water and gradually developed into a wetland.

How many bird species live here? Over 160 species have been recorded, including a black-headed gull colony of several thousand pairs nesting on the lake's larger island.

Is there a spot for birdwatching? Yes — an observation tower stands near the shore, allowing visitors to watch waterbirds without entering the nesting areas.