For Sailors

Zegrze Reservoir

Zegrze Reservoir with sailing boats, a beach and trees in the foreground
  • Aerial panorama of the Zegrze Reservoir, with buildings and forests on the shore

The Zegrze Reservoir (Zalew Zegrzyński), officially called Jezioro Zegrzyńskie (Lake Zegrze), is an artificial reservoir on the Narew River, about 25 km north of Warsaw. It covers about 30.3 km², is 41 km long and up to 3.5 km wide. It was created by building the barrage and dam in Dębe.

Work began in the late 1950s, and the water reached its full level in April 1963. The barrage was officially opened on 20 July 1963. The water flooded the former Narew valley with its meadows, pastures and buildings, completely changing the local landscape.

The reservoir protects the Narew and Bug valleys from flooding, feeds the Dębe Hydroelectric Power Station and supplies water to part of Warsaw. The Żerań Canal connects it with the Vistula and Warsaw’s waterway network. Marinas, beaches and holiday resorts have grown up along its shores, making the Zegrze Reservoir one of the most important places for sailing, water sports and weekend breaks in Masovia.

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