Rajhrad Dam Receives Fresh Steel Gates as Part of $14 Million Reconstruction
RAJHRAD, Czech Republic — A key element of the Svratka River’s water management system near Brno is undergoing a major overhaul, with the recent installation of new, 14-ton steel gates at the Rajhrad Dam. The project, costing approximately $14 million (226 million Czech crowns), aims to ensure the dam’s safe and efficient operation for decades to come.
The new gates, measuring 6.6 feet high and 56 feet long, replace aging components from the mid-20th century. According to officials, the upgrades will improve the regulation of water flow between branches of the Svratka River and reduce fluctuations in the reservoir’s water level, which can reach up to 8 inches twice daily due to operations at the Kníničky little hydroelectric power plant. Novinky reports that the increased height of the gates – a gain of just over a foot – combined with modern controls and preparation for automated management, will contribute to these improvements.
The reconstruction, which began last year, similarly includes repairs to the dam’s concrete structures, including the pillars and spillways. Work is also underway on a new small hydroelectric power plant and a fish passage. Ekolist.cz notes that the second of the new steel gates was recently installed, following the placement of the first gate in the autumn of 2025.
“The Rajhrad Dam plays a significant role in stabilizing the Svratka River’s water level and maintaining groundwater levels in the surrounding area,” said Jana Kučerová, a spokesperson for Povodí Moravy, the Moravian Water Management Authority. “It also contributes significantly to flood protection in the region.”
Project leaders acknowledge the logistical challenges of coordinating three separate construction projects – the dam reconstruction, the power plant, and the fish passage – within a limited space. Vodarenstvi.cz reports that approximately one-third of the fish passage has been completed. The project is expected to be completed in the near future.
The dam’s modernization underscores the importance of maintaining critical water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.
