Dukovanský mlýn

Dukovanský mlýn is a nature reserve on the steep right-hand slope of the deeply cut Jihlava River valley, above the Mohelno reservoir dam, in the municipality of Dukovany in the Třebíč district. Its name recalls a water mill that once stood on the riverbank at this spot.

Where does the name come from?

The Dukovanský mill (also known as the Upper Mill) operated on the Jihlava River for decades before it stopped grinding in the 1950s. The building itself was torn down in the 1960s, and the site where it stood disappeared under water when the Mohelno reservoir was filled in 1977. The nature reserve that now bears its name lies on the slope above the former mill, facing toward Dukovany.

What does the reserve consist of?

The protected area covers 19.85 hectares and is made up of two separate sections linked by a buffer zone. Both lie on the steep slope of the Jihlava valley, at elevations between 310 and 380 metres, directly above the Mohelno dam. The reserve forms part of the wider Jihlava valley, recognised as a site of European significance for nature conservation.

Why was this area protected?

The steep, rocky slopes above the river create distinctive microclimatic conditions that have preserved valuable, often rare habitats — ranging from dry grasslands to slope woodlands. It is this concentration of varied habitats on a small, hard-to-reach, canyon-like stretch of terrain that led to the area being designated a nature reserve.

How is the reserve managed today?

In recent years, work has begun here to restore valuable natural habitats. Selected parts of the reserve undergo mowing and extensive sheep grazing, carried out during the summer and autumn months as part of a four-year restoration programme. The aim is to slow the overgrowth of the slopes and keep the most valuable sections of the terrain open.

What should visitors know before coming?

The reserve sits on steep, difficult-to-access terrain above the Mohelno reservoir, so it's best visited as part of a longer walk along the Jihlava valley rather than a single quick stop. The area around the dam and reservoir offers views over a canyon-like stretch of the river, and the reserve's name — a reminder of the flooded mill — is today the only trace of the structure that once stood by the water.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any mill ruins left in the reserve? No — the mill itself was demolished in the 1960s, and the ground it stood on was submerged when the Mohelno reservoir filled in 1977. The reserve carries its name but contains no remains of the building.

How large is the reserve? It covers 19.85 hectares and consists of two sections connected by a buffer zone, situated on the slope of the Jihlava valley at 310–380 metres above sea level.

Why is the area protected? Because of the valuable habitats found on the steep, rocky slopes of the valley — the site forms part of the Jihlava valley, recognised as a European-significant conservation area.

Is any conservation work being carried out here? Yes, a four-year programme of mowing and extensive sheep grazing is underway to restore and maintain the reserve's valuable habitats.