Lake Chechło-Nakło

Lake Chechło-Nakło, also called the Nakło-Chechło Reservoir, is an artificial reservoir in the Świerklaniec municipality in Tarnowskie Góry County, between Nakło Śląskie and Nowe Chechło. It was created in a pit left after the extraction of backfill sand and has an area of about 90.3 ha. Today it serves mainly for recreation: there is a bathing area, beaches, camping fields and water equipment rental.

From a sand pit to a recreational reservoir

The reservoir occupies a former pit where backfill sand was extracted, used to fill the underground workings of hard coal mines.

The pit belonged to the “Siemonia” Backfill Sand Mine. After extraction ended, the site was reclaimed: the basin was shaped, the shores prepared and roads built. After the drainage pumps were switched off, the pit filled with groundwater and rainwater. The reservoir was officially opened for recreational use on 27 June 1970.

What the lake looks like

The lake has an area of about 90.3 ha and a volume of about 1.5 million m³, and it is surrounded mainly by pine and mixed forests.

The reservoir has no outflow: it is fed by groundwater and precipitation, so the water level changes periodically. There is one wooded island on the lake. The shores vary: alongside sandy beaches there are stretches overgrown with reeds, wooded shores and sections altered for leisure use. The reservoir lies on the Silesian Upland, on the northern edge of the heavily urbanised part of the Upper Silesian conurbation.

What to do here

According to the description of the reservoir, at the lake one can swim, paddle a kayak or sail a boat, fish and relax on the beach.

In the surroundings there are holiday centres, camping fields and campsites, catering outlets and water equipment rental. In the summer season a designated guarded bathing area operates, and the camping places have access to sanitary facilities. Roads and paths for walkers and cyclists run around the lake, and a marked walking trail leads through the forest from Nakło Śląskie to the reservoir. Next to the water runs the route of the Upper Silesian Narrow-Gauge Railways, used for seasonal tourist traffic.

Nearby

In Tarnowskie Góry, a few kilometres from the lake, there are historic mines.

About 6.2 km from the lake is the Royal Frederick Mine.

About 6.7 km from the lake is the Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry.

Towards Miasteczko Śląskie, about 2.8 km from the reservoir, lies Rubin Park in Miasteczko Śląskie.

Practical information

• Location: Świerklaniec municipality, between Nakło Śląskie and Nowe Chechło, in a forest complex near the border with Tarnowskie Góry.
• Access: voivodeship road no. 908, connecting Tarnowskie Góry with Miasteczko Śląskie, runs beside the lake; local roads from Nakło Śląskie and Nowe Chechło also lead to the reservoir.
• The guarded bathing area operates in the summer season; check its dates and rules in the announcements of the Świerklaniec municipality before your visit.