Správčický písník

Správčický písník, known locally by the nickname "Správčák", is a large flooded gravel-pit lake just outside Předměřice nad Labem, in the Hradec Králové district of the Czech Republic. With a surface of over 60 hectares, it ranks as the biggest reservoir in the wider Hradec Králové area and functions today as one of the region's main outdoor recreation spots.

How did the lake come to exist?

The site was never a natural lake. It began as a gravel and sand quarry, and once extraction stopped near the end of the 20th century, the abandoned pit filled with groundwater over time. This pattern repeats across the lowlands bordering Czech rivers: wherever a quarry digs below the water table, the leftover hollow eventually turns into a young artificial lake.

Where exactly is it?

Správčický písník sits roughly half a kilometre east of the centre of Předměřice nad Labem, close to the Elbe (Labe) river on the flat lowland north of Hradec Králové. The water extends beyond the village boundary into the cadastral areas of the neighbouring villages of Lochenice and Rusek. Its coordinates are approximately 50.261355 N, 15.832178 E.

How big is the lake?

The reservoir covers 63.26 hectares, making it the largest body of water of its kind around Hradec Králové. That size sets it apart from the many smaller gravel-pit ponds dotted across the region, giving it more the feel of a proper lake than a flooded quarry.

What can visitors do there?

Recreation is the lake's main role today. Its open surface is large enough for motorised water sports, including water skiing, jet skiing and motorboat rides. On shore, there is a children's playground, a beach volleyball court, a seasonal snack bar, and an entertainment area for younger visitors. Anglers also use the lake as a non-trout sport fishery, taking advantage of the depth and surface area left behind by the old gravel workings.

Who is Správčický písník for?

The lake is a typical example of a Czech "písník" — a former quarry reborn as a local summer hotspot. Its size and facilities make it equally suited to families looking for a swimming-and-playground combo, to water-sports fans who want room to manoeuvre, and to anglers who prefer a large open body of water over the tighter, busier ponds nearby. Its closeness to both Předměřice nad Labem and the Elbe river makes it an easy stop regardless of which direction visitors are coming from.

Frequently asked questions

What is Správčický písník? It is a flooded former gravel and sand quarry near Předměřice nad Labem in the Hradec Králové district, popularly nicknamed "Správčák".

How large is the lake? It spans 63.26 hectares, the largest reservoir of its kind in the Hradec Králové area.

Can you swim or do water sports there? Yes — the lake supports water skiing, jet skiing and motorboating, alongside a general swimming area.

Is it suitable for families? Yes, the shore has a children's playground, a beach volleyball court, and a seasonal snack bar.

Can you fish at the lake? Yes, it operates as a non-trout sport fishery thanks to the depth and surface area left by the former quarrying.

Where exactly is the lake located? About half a kilometre east of the centre of Předměřice nad Labem, partly within the cadastral areas of Lochenice and Rusek, Hradec Králové district.