Vlasinsko jezero (Vlasina lake), 2016-2020.
Vlasina is a semi-artificial lake in south-eastern part of Serbia. Semi-artificial because a small natural water body existed here first (actually a large peat bog with rich and complex ecosystem). Communists built a dam on Vlasina river in the '50s, sinking the bog and destroying habitat of numerous bird and plant species, thus creating Vlasina lake as it is today. Being at just over 1200m of altitude it is the highest artificial lake in Serbia, with sharp mountainous climate. It is quite often referred to as the "Serbian Baikal", especially because of the surrounding birch forest.
A unique feature of Vlsina lake are floating peat islands that form along the lake coast and often get carried across the lake by currents. These islands (and the whole Vlasina lake) are under state protection, as they have been found to be the last refuge for biodiversity surviving the destruction of the peat bog. However post-communist government of Serbia in the second decade of 21st century (which is even more communist then all of their predecessors) has proven that state protection has virtually zero significance. Drastic reduction and oscillation of water level caused by mismanagement within the state owned power company EPS has stranded the floating islands and significantly endangered the lake ecosystem in general. It is yet to be seen how will it all turn out for this wild corner of Serbian nature.
