Zesławicki Lagoon

Zesławicki Lagoon (Polish: Zalew Zesławicki – two artificial reservoirs with a causeway lined with concrete slabs in the middle of them. The lagoon is an open landscape on the border of Kraków (Mistrzejowice District XV), Raciborowice (gmina Michałowice) and Batowice (gmina Zielonki) as the water intake for some osiedles of Nowa Huta. The name of the lagoon is derived from Zesławice, a former village attached to Nowa Huta and later incorporated into Kraków in the area where dams and reservoirs were built.

Zesławicki Lagoon
Zesławicki Lagoon
Location	Kraków
Coordinates	50°06′28″N 20°01′57″E
Surface area	0.09 square kilometres (0.035 sq mi)

The height above sea level of the lagoon is around 215 metres. It is bordered to the south by Gustawa Morcinka Street, to the east by Ku Raciborowicom Street, to the north by No.8 railway track, and to the west the third reservoir once planned. The lagoon is fed by River Dłubina, across which is a weir controlling the water level as it flows from the reservoirs.

The lagoon was built in the 50s of 20th century. In principle it had resigned from carrying out its original function in the mid-80s of 20th century when the construction of Lake Dobczyce began.

Recreation

Around the lagoon is a quiet loop trail ideal for running and walking, approximately 2.6 kilometres in length.

Swans in the lagoon

Recently the third reservoir once planned is overgrown with vegetation. In the vicinity a great variety of birds can be seen. In addition to swans and ducks, the top five species are spotted crake, garganey, spotted redshank, cuckoo and water rail. While birding is ideal all year around except in the wintertime, spring is considered the best time to pay a visit.

Transport

A free car park with a capacity of a dozen cars is located on Gustawa Morcinka Street right by the lagoon. As of public transport, take bus 159 or 193 to Kruszwicka and the destination is a twenty-minute walk away.