PP Rybník Walden

The Walden Pond Natural Monument ranks among the most fascinating wetland sites in South Bohemia, tucked into the Javořická Highlands roughly 2.5 kilometers southwest of the hamlet of Návary, within the municipality of Staré Město pod Landštejnem in the Jindřichův Hradec district. The protected area spans 35.18 hectares in total, of which the pond itself covers almost 29 hectares, with a further 1.7 hectares making up the shallow littoral fringe. Sitting at an elevation of 606–612 meters, the pond is remarkably shallow throughout — averaging just half a meter deep, with a maximum depth of four meters.

Why was this site protected?

The Regional Authority of the South Bohemian Region granted the area natural-monument status on 24 December 2022. Protection actually goes back further: in 2009 the site was already designated a Site of Community Importance under EU nature legislation, covering 34.88 hectares under the name Walden Pond. The core reason for protection is the presence of the critically endangered Coleanthus subtilis, a tiny annual plant that colonizes the exposed muddy pond bed once the water is periodically drawn down. It grows alongside other sensitive species, including marsh cinquefoil and southern bladderwort, together forming a distinctive vegetation mosaic typical of extensively managed, mesotrophic fishponds.

How does the pond's ecosystem work?

The pond is fed primarily by the Romavský Brook, whose waters eventually drain into the Lužnice river basin. Water management here follows a traditional cyclical pattern: the pond is typically refilled in spring, around late April to May, and then partially or fully drained every three to six years, exposing the bottom and allowing the rare mud-flat vegetation to germinate and thrive. Around the year 2000, the pond bed underwent dredging and cleaning works, which improved the hydrological conditions supporting the protected plant communities.

What wildlife lives here?

Beyond its botanical significance, Walden Pond is a valuable habitat for animals. Among breeding birds, the water rail stands out, with several breeding pairs recorded around the pond, while more striking visitors occasionally appear too, including the black stork and the white-tailed eagle. The shallow, sun-warmed margins of the pond support amphibians such as newts, common toads, and several frog species. The site's insect life is equally rich — the pond's surroundings attract butterflies, including a rare fritillary species, along with numerous dragonflies hunting over the open water.

What should visitors know before coming?

Walden Pond is primarily valued for its ecological significance rather than as a conventional tourist destination, and visitor infrastructure here is limited. A visit is best approached as a quiet walk through the Javořická Highlands landscape, with opportunities for birdwatching and nature observation — the site is especially rewarding during periods of low water, when the exposed pond bed reveals its characteristic rare vegetation.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Walden Pond located? The pond lies within the Rajchéřov cadastral area, part of the municipality of Staré Město pod Landštejnem in the South Bohemian Region, about 2.5 kilometers southwest of the hamlet of Návary.

Since when has the area been formally protected? It received natural-monument status on 24 December 2022 from the South Bohemian Regional Authority, though it has been recognized as a Site of Community Importance under EU law since 2009.

What is the main reason this area is protected? Chiefly the presence of the critically endangered plant Coleanthus subtilis, along with other rare species associated with periodically drained, mesotrophic fishponds.

Can birdwatchers spot anything interesting at Walden Pond? Yes — the area hosts breeding water rails, and occasional visitors include the black stork and the white-tailed eagle.