Ušnik dam pool at Podsela
The Ušnik stream meets the Soča at Podsela next to the Doblar hydropower dam. A small dam on the stream protects the Nova Gorica–Bovec road and creates a dark-green pool, through which the plant's 8 m wide reinforced-concrete penstock runs (it carries no Ušnik water). East of the pipe you can reach 12 m by the dam on a soft silty bottom; west of it a longer dive of an hour or more climbs gradually from 8 m to the gravel shallows where the pool becomes a stream again. Trout up to 50 cm patrol the shallows but are very hard to photograph.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Idrijca valley & Idrija
- Depth: 0–12 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: low
- Type: bay
- Coordinates: 46.1369, 13.72012
- Highlights: 8 m diameter concrete penstock of HE Doblar crossing the pool, small dam, shy trout up to 50 cm, water fleas and snails on the dam, tubifex worms on the silty bottom, reeds on the north bank
- Tips: Park on the left bank in front of the DPD Tolmin club house (the local club is based right here). There is no proper entry; the easiest is along the penstock to the shallows above it. Plan your exit before diving – in many places you cannot get out (the south bank is a road retaining wall). Avoid stirring the silt on the deep eastern side. Best at low water. The sheet dates from 2012.