Photo: Paul Gabriel Pasztor · CC BY 2.0A reservoir in the upper valley of the Cerna river, above Băile Herculane in western Romania, also called Iovanu.
How it formed
The dam stands on the Cerna where the Valea lui Iovan stream joins it, a river that rises in the Godeanu Mountains. The reservoir holds about 120 million m³.
Visit
Swimming
No reliable information
Tips
Access is mainly up the Cerna valley from Herculane, or through Padeș. The road is not always well kept and suits an off-road vehicle or bicycle better than a small car. The Corcoaia gorge on the Cerna, in this part of the valley, is about 300 m long with walls over 100 m high, tied by legend to Iovan Iorgovan’s fight with a five-headed dragon. Mountain trails lead up to the Godeanu crests, above 2,000 m.
Nearby lakes
Show on mapKnow Lacul Valea lui Iovan well?
Suggest a beach, viewpoint, trail or amenity, or tell us if something has changed. We read every message.
Sources & data
- Romania's 2022 Water Framework Directive reporting to the EEA: lake (LW) and transitional (TW) water bodies, field cArea, European Environment Agency (WISE WFD), reported by Romania, 2022
- OpenStreetMap: Iovanu (way 31963532), OpenStreetMap contributors
- Cheile Corcoaiei, Financiarul
- Wikipedia: Valea lui Iovan, Wikimedia Foundation
