Poiana Uzului Lake and Dam

Built between 1965 and 1973, the dam at Poiana Uzului was the first buttress dam in Romania and the second of its kind in Europe — with mushroom-head buttresses. Behind it, the Uz River became a lake: 334 hectares of water, up to 90 metres deep.

The dam in figures

The dam is 80 metres high and 500 metres long at the crest, 74 metres wide at the base, with foundations sunk 40 metres into the rock. At its foot runs a small 5 MW hydro plant.

The lake is not just beautiful — it is vital: it supplies drinking water to Dărmănești, Târgu Ocna, Onești and, in part, Bacău.

The village beneath the water

Beneath the lake's surface lies the site of the former village of Poiana Uzului — the scene of fighting in the autumn of 1916, when the Romanian 7th Division defended the Uz pass: the village was lost and retaken in November 1916. The story is told on the panel at the Monument of the Unknown Hero near Sălătruc — about a 20-minute walk from Cabana Marisa, and one well worth taking.

Things to do at the lake

Angling

Poiana Uzului Lake is a favourite with anglers and is on the ANPA list of recreational fishing waters — you need an ANPA permit and the AJVPS Bacău membership card. Details on the fishing page.

SUP and kayaking

The lake's calm waters are perfect for a SUP or kayak outing — you can get the gear at Cabana Marisa, at the tail of the lake.

Views and photography

From the crest of the dam the whole valley opens up; in autumn the slopes light up in yellow and copper, and in the morning mist rises off the water. The best hours for photos: sunrise and the last hour before sunset.

How to get there

From Dărmănești, follow road DJ123 west along the Uz valley; the dam appears after a few kilometres of forest switchbacks. From the dam, the road continues along the lakeshore to its tail, in Sălătruc — which is where Cabana Marisa is, about 10 minutes' drive from the dam.