Montenegro · Central Montenegro

Lake Krupac

Directions

Krupačko jezero

Krupac Lake is an artificial lake in the western part of the Nikšić field, made in 1950 for the Perućica hydroelectric plant. Canals connect it with two neighbouring reservoirs, Slano and Vrtac. The lake covers about 5.2 km² and has small islands. Springs feed it, and its water is described as among the cleanest of the reservoirs in Montenegro. It is the favourite outing and bathing place of Nikšić, sometimes called the Nikšić sea, with a laid-out beach that is the largest bathing place in the continental part of the country, and since 2011 a music festival, Lake Fest, has been held on its shore.

How it formed

Krupac, Slano and Vrtac were made in 1950 in the western part of the Nikšić field to store water for the Perućica hydroelectric plant. The three reservoirs are separate basins linked by canals, so that water can be let through from one to the next. Krupac is fed by several springs and streams, among them Poklonci, Žabica, Krupačko oko and Zmijanac, which keep its water among the cleanest of Montenegro’s reservoirs; two islets, Veliki and Mali Zakrnjak, rise from it.

Nature

The lake is rich in fish, and sport fishing is well developed here; trout are stocked for anglers.

Gallery

3 photos

Photo: BuhaM · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Milica Buha · CC BY-SA 4.0

Show all photos

Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Nikšić

Swimming

Allowed

Tips

Krupac, about 5–6 km from the centre of Nikšić (a ten-minute drive or a taxi), is the local swimming favourite: spring-fed, with water that can reach about 28 °C in summer and a laid-out beach, the largest bathing place in inland Montenegro. Cafés open on the beach in summer, and there are courts for volleyball, basketball and water polo nearby; kayaks, pedal boats, jet skis and water skiing are on offer, and you can ride horses along the shore. A promenade runs along the dam. June to August is the peak season.

Lake Fest, a rock and alternative music festival held on the shore since 2011, takes over the lake for three days in summer, recently in early August.