Robertville Lake

Stretching a few cables from the Hautes Fagnes, at about 500 m above sea level, Lake Robertville is a body of water of approximately sixty hectares that originated in the 1920s following the construction of a dam on the course of the Warche. This weight-arch dam, 54 meters high, can hold nearly 8 million cubic meters of water, intended to supply the Malmedy region with drinking water but also to power the Bévercé power station located a few kilometers downstream. The shores of the lake are largely occupied by a forest mainly consisting of acidophilic oak stands with blueberries, but various herbaceous plant communities manage to develop locally. The site's faunal interest remains largely under-documented. The red kite (Milvus milvus) is the most frequently reported raptor and probably breeds in the immediate vicinity. Other birds such as the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) are regular in all seasons, and the Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) during the winter period and migration. The spined toad (Alytes obstetricans) has already been observed in the upstream part of the lake, while the spotted salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is well present downstream of the dam.

Public access: UNERG has granted the 'Syndicat d'Initiative et de Tourisme de Robertville' (S.I.R.) association the right to use and develop the shores of the lake, with the aim of providing direct access to the lake and possibly allowing the establishment of private landing stages. The S.I.R. also has the exclusive right to authorize navigation on the lake by sailboats, rowing boats, or electric motor boats, excluding all vessels powered by internal combustion engines (gasoline engines). Finally, the S.I.R. has full power to organize and/or authorize swimming and scuba diving. It is particularly recommended for tourists to scrupulously ensure to: - refrain from lighting fires, even in places that do not seem dangerous,... - respect plantings and fences, benches and traffic signs, not to roam on private property,... - keep bags, empty bottles, cans, packaging, plastic bags, etc.,... - avoid throwing floating objects on the waters of the lake,... etc. The S.I.R. requests that everyone be aware of their duties towards nature and their obligation to respect natural beauty and safeguard the environment.
Type: Site of Great Biological Interest (SGIB)

La biodiversité en Wallonie