The water reservoir was constructed in 1912-1926 as an antiflood measure, but later it started to be used also for recreational purposes. The water reservoir and its catchment area are situated in a woodland area. Winter is relatively long in this area and there is a lot of snow.

The reservoir usually freezes for three months but the ice does not present any major problem. The reservoir is protected against floating solids by the basin made of broken stone, that is situated right before the inflow into the reservoir, and it is also protected by the ponds that were located on higher grounds. The water reservoir is a source of drinking water for the Šluknov Foreland and it is forbidden to swim here. In order to secure enough drinking water for the Šluknov Foreland, a decision was taken to rebuild the retention basin into a proper water reservoir.