The lake was formed by flooding the original canyon of the Piva River.
The entire town of Pluzine was relocated to higher ground before the valley was submerged in 1975.
The Piva Monastery, a 16th-century monument, was painstakingly dismantled stone-by-stone and moved to its current location to save it from the rising waters.
The Mratinje Dam, which creates the lake, is a double-curvature arch dam.
The water exhibits a distinct emerald-green color due to the surrounding limestone geology.
Piva Lake acts as a natural border segment between the Durmitor mountain range and the Bosnian border region.
The reservoir capacity is approximately 800 million cubic meters of water.
Piva Lake is an artificial reservoir created in 1975 by the construction of the Mratinje Dam on the Piva River in Montenegro. Stretching 45 kilometers in length, the lake reaches depths of up to 188 meters, making it one of the deepest reservoirs in the region. The dam itself is a concrete arch structure standing 220 meters tall, ranking among the highest in Europe. The reservoir surface area fluctuates significantly depending on seasonal water management and precipitation levels. The surrounding landscape consists of high-altitude karst terrain and steep limestone canyons. Pluzine is the primary settlement located directly on the lake's shore. The reservoir serves as a critical hydroelectric power source for the Montenegrin national grid.
The viewpoint overlooking the Piva Lake bridge and the town of Pluzine from the P-14 highway.
Rent a kayak or small motorboat in Pluzine to explore the narrow canyon inlets that are inaccessible by road.
Bring a polarized lens for your camera to reduce glare from the water surface and highlight the emerald hues.
Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions due to the high elevation and canyon topography.
Attempting to drive on unpaved secondary roads around the lake without a 4x4 vehicle; relying solely on GPS, which may miscalculate mountain road travel times.
Respect protected natural areas by carrying out all trash; swimming is permitted but motorized watercraft must adhere to local lake zoning.
