Milada lake

History of Chabařovice area, situated in surroundings of Ústí nad Labem, was, till 1991, closely connected with mining works. In 1720, there was found here layer of coals and it was systematically digged out the coal since that time-period. This raw material started radical  industry development not only in Chabařovice but also in the whole Ústí region. Brown-coal mining began to squeeze out the other branches of industry and, first of all, agricultural production.

Consistent mining era lasted 257 years. It was terminated with last digged out coal tonn in Chabařovice Quarry in 1997. Since that time-period, all activity of local inhabitants as well as offices is concentrated to remove the slashes caused by mining in Ore Mountains in course of last thirty years. At present, a systematic recultivation is effected in previous main centres in Chomutov and Most mining areas. This new trend is fully realised, its results you can see on occasion of your short visit of North Bohemia.

Most important projects are those of recently established communities of Dolní Zálezly, Habrovany, Chabařovice, Krupka, Modlany, Přestanov, Řehlovice, Stebno, Trmice and Žalany. This small region founded (in 2001) a unique holiday resort in environment of Chabařovice lake, named Milada.

Lake Milada, a centre of region of the same name, is projected as an obliteration of consequences of mining activity in a space of previous brown-coal quarry Chabařovice. Salvation as well as recultivation works are being effected here (on base of Ministry for Life Standard Environment decision of April 1999). So, it was possible to start with covering of coal-seam and  arrangements for interior pouring out stability as well as of western and northern slopes. These works influenced successively the morphology of aforesaid area and drew a necessity of partial arrangements and changes in way and extention of technical and biological recultivation. According to the official documentation, the base for solution of liquidation of former quarry is put in hydrical way recultivation of mine shaft, i.e. filling with water. So, the first lake created in this way in Czech Republic, will have the extention of 250 ha approx., average depth of 15,5 m and max. depth 25 m.  Water-volume will reach 35 mil.m³ approx. Final elevation measure of lake-level is 145,3 m of sea level. As to extention: water surface will take (cover) approximately the same area as Mácha Lake.

Mine shaft flooding was started on 15th June 2001.  A former fire-water-conduit from Katharine-reservoir served to this process at first. Now, the flooding is secured is effected by means of  Zalužanský brook. The original assumption terms for complete lake-filling were 14 years (it proved to be not realistic). It seems that the water reaches its expected level within six years from starting moment of flooding.

Recultivated area would serve to versatile ways of use - as holiday resort, tourist and sporting activities and fishing. Main attractive targets of the area would be cycloroute nests of at least of 20 kms length. Main cycloroute No. 3009 leads on external quarry-border and joins to Habří and Řehlovice. Further, the path joins those of Czech Tourist Club path, leading around lake with termination at Stadice. At present, the lake fulfills quite important function of nature-esthetics and especially ecological rule. In 2004, it was finished forest recultivation care of external border of Lochočice (areas of Lochočice, Tuchomyšl and Roudníky). Prospects for the future: the banks of a lake will be formed with consistent forest belt with many holiday resorts on banks. Assumed costs for the whole project are calculated on more than CZK 3 billions. Anyway, total final value will be unnumerable in the future.

Text: Jan Chaloupka

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