Ovčjaške klavže reservoir (Kanomlja)
The Ovčjaške (Kanomeljske) klavže is a masonry barrier built in 1813 to store water for floating timber down to the Idrija mercury mine; restored by 2005, it is the only one of the Idrija klavže whose openings are closed again, and it now feeds a small hydropower plant. Behind it lies a lake about 100 m long and 50 m wide, up to 10 m deep in the middle (2012), though it is steadily filling with gravel. The deep part near the dam has little life; trout hunt in the clearer shallows at the western end. After the dive you can leave the kit on the gravel beach and scramble up the stream canyon to the Klavški waterfalls.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Idrijca valley & Idrija
- Depth: 0–10 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: low
- Type: bay, wall
- Coordinates: 46.01769, 13.93478
- Highlights: restored 1813 log-driving barrier (32.6 m wide, 14 m high), overgrown dam wall, trout in the shallows near the inflow, clearer water at the west end, canyon walk up the Klavžarica to Klavški slapovi
- Tips: Turn west in Spodnja Idrija into the Kanomlja valley; after about 5 km follow the Klavže signs past the fish farm and the Reven farm to the third sign ('Kanomeljske klavže 1 km peš'). Beyond it only landowners may drive (4×4/tractor), so park at the widened junction, kit up and walk about 15 minutes in gear. Enter from the north shore or the sandy spit at the inflow; the power-plant intake at the north end of the dam is protected by a dense grille. Use a small cylinder (10 l or less), compass and torch; about 12 °C in summer; go at medium or low water. Depth is shrinking as gravel fills the lake – the sheet dates from 2012. The dam is a restored technical monument; no diving rule was found, but check locally.