Gazivoda Dam
Gazivoda Dam is Kosovo’s largest hydro-engineering structure, an imposing 107-meter wall that holds back the Ibar River to form Lake Ujman, a reservoir vital to the region’s water supply, energy grid, and geopolitical tensions.
Admission: No public access to the dam infrastructure; the lake area is open for recreation
Photography: Allowed from public viewpoints; drone use requires permission.
Open Hours: Lake accessible year-round; dam site restricted
Alternate Names: Gazivoda Dam, Ujman Dam, Diga e Gazivodës
Getting There: Located near Zubin Potok in North Kosovo; accessible by car from Mitrovica or Peja. Road signage may vary by language and jurisdiction.
Locally Known As: Liqeni i Ujmanit.
Best View: Brnjak Bridge.
Activity: Boat rides/Fresh fish restaurants.
Note: Shared border zone; carry ID.
Open Hours: 24/7.
Terrain: Paved roads.
Wheelchair: Partial (Viewpoints).
Current Status: Open.
Last update
Feb 24, 2026
The Story
Gazivoda Dam was constructed between 1973 and 1978 as part of a Yugoslav-era development project aimed at regulating the Ibar River and supplying water and electricity to Kosovo and parts of Serbia. The dam created Lake Ujman, which stretches 16.5 kilometers in length and reaches depths of over 100 meters.
The project required the displacement of 12 villages in the Ibarski Kolašin basin, many of which held significant Serbian cultural heritage. Churches, cemeteries, and historical sites were submerged, leading to long-standing grievances and contested narratives about the lake’s legacy.
Today, Gazivoda Dam is operated by Kosovo institutions, though its ownership and control remain politically sensitive. The lake supplies water to the Trepça mining complex, the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK), and agricultural zones. It also supports recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking, though tourism infrastructure remains limited.
The dam’s strategic importance has made it a focal point in Kosovo–Serbia negotiations. Control over Gazivoda is often cited in discussions about sovereignty, resource management, and regional cooperation.
Despite its complex history, Gazivoda Dam stands as a monumental feat of engineering and a vital resource for Kosovo’s future.
