Lake Pancharevo

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Lake Pancharevo from the east bank, with the Vitosha Mountains in the background
Lake Pancharevo from the east bank, with the Vitosha Mountains in the background
Lake Pancharevo from the dam
Lake Pancharevo from the dam

Lake Pancharevo (Панчаревско езеро, Pancharevsko ezero or Яэовир Панчаревор, Pancharevo Reservoir) is an artificial lake in western Bulgaria, at the end of the Pancharevo Gorge of the Iskar River, located at 600 m above sea level between the Vitosha and Lozenska planina mountains. It is 3 km long and up to 700 m wide, reaching a depth of 30 m, and is situated 15 km southeast of the capital city of Sofia, where the Vitoshka Bistritsa flows into the Iskar. The villages of Pancharevo and Kokalyane and the Pancharevo mineral springs lie on the lake's western shore, while at the southern end of the lake there is a hydroelectric power station. Sports centres and catering establishments have been constructed around the lake, making it a favoured outing location for the residents of Sofia. Further upstream in the gorge there are two additional artificial lakes: the Pasarel Reservoir and the Iskar Reservoir. The water of Lake Pancharevo is used as a source of drinking water for Sofia.