The dam is constructed from local gneiss, a metamorphic rock sourced directly from the surrounding Sudeten Mountains.
It is one of the few dams of this era in Poland that has remained fully operational and intact for over a century.
The structure features a characteristic stone parapet that has been preserved in its original historical style.
The dam's spillway is designed to manage the unpredictable, rapid water flow characteristic of mountain stream torrents.
Following the 1997 'Millennium Flood' in Poland, the dam successfully contained significant debris flows that could have devastated the village below.
The Międzygórze Dam is a 29-meter-high stone masonry structure constructed between 1905 and 1908 to protect the valley from the Wilczka River floods. It is a gravity dam built from local stone, featuring an elegant, historical architectural design that bridges the gap between industrial utility and mountain aesthetics. The dam creates a reservoir covering approximately 0.7 hectares, which serves as a decorative water feature rather than a major hydroelectric power source. A public path runs along the top of the dam, providing clear views of both the basin and the forested slopes of the Śnieżnik Massif. The structure was engineered by W. Gerber to withstand massive water pressure after disastrous flooding in the Sudetes region in the late 19th century. Its masonry surface is characterized by carefully fitted stone blocks that have required minimal external renovation since the early 20th century. The site serves as the starting point for several marked hiking trails leading deeper into the Śnieżnik landscape park.
The center of the dam walkway looking toward the forest canopy and the mountain slopes.
Combine your visit with a short walk to the nearby Wilczka Waterfall, which is accessible via a well-marked forest trail from the dam.
Wear sturdy walking shoes if you plan to continue your hike into the surrounding mountain trails.
Visit during a period of rainfall to see the spillway in action, as the water flow is significantly more dramatic.
Do not attempt to climb over or sit on the outer stone barriers, as the drop on the river side is steep.
