- Dospat Dam
Infobox lake
lake_name = Dospat Dam
язовир Доспат
image_lake = Dospat-Dam-gruev.jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry = Dospat_Reservoir_location.jpg
caption_bathymetry=
location =Rhodope Mountains
coords = coord|41|39|N|24|99|W|type:waterbody_region:BG|display=inline,title
type =reservoir
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = Bulgaria
length = convert|19|km|mi|abbr=on
width =
area = 22 km²
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|1200|m|ft|abbr=on
islands =
cities = Dospat, Sarnitsa
frozen = of water area, the second largest in capacity. It is fed by the Dospat River.The flora and fauna around the dam are diverse and the geography offers breathtaking sights. Old coniferous forests surround the lake. On the northern bank where the towns of
Sarnitsa and Krusha are located the terrain is hilly, with meadows and arable land available, used for grazing, potato growing and other agricultural activities. Parallel to the south bank are steep slopes covered in spruce and this bank is where most holiday cabins and hotels are located.The dam is rich in fish. It is stocked with perch, trout (rainbow, brown, brook and
grayling ),carp and various other members of "Cyprinidae ". Trout are reared in cages within the dam. Most types offishing are practiced: spinning with lures,fly fishing , and others.In the surrounding areas there are a number of other dams, including
Vacha , Beglika, Batak andShiroka Polyana . The area offers great opportunities for recreation and tourism.Accessibility is, however, rather poor. Three main mountain roads link the dam to the rest of the world. One from Batak, a second from
Velingrad to Sarnitsa and a third from Devin to the town of Dospat. The latter two have in recent time sustained damage due to freak weather. The one from Batak allows accessibility to some of the other Rhodope dams along its length. It forks into two roads; one leading to the town of Dospat and the other to Sarnitsa. This road to Sarnitsa is in places very rutted and may prove a challenge to navigate. Along the south bank there runs a rough dirt track from Sarnitsa to Dospat but this is only used to access the holiday spots.See also
*
Reservoirs and dams in Bulgaria External links
* [http://www.pbase.com/ngruev/rodopi Pictures from the Rhodopes and Dospat dam]
* [http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Bulgaria/West/Smolyan/Dospat/ Photos of Dospat on TrekEarth]
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