Lacul Bicaz (Izvorul Muntelui)

Lacul Bicaz, also known by its official name Lacul Izvorul Muntelui, is the largest reservoir built on Romania's inland rivers. It is situated on the middle course of the Bistrița River, in the Eastern Carpathians, approximately 4 km upstream from the town of Bicaz, Neamț County. The lake has an elongated shape, oriented in a northwest–southeast direction, with an average length of around 35 km, a surface area of approximately 33 km², and a maximum water volume of around 1,250 million cubic metres, making it the second largest artificial lake in Romania. It was formed following the construction of the Bicaz Dam, built between 1950 and 1960 — a concrete gravity dam connecting Muntele Ghicovanu with Obcina Horștei, which, at 127 m in height and 435 m in length at the crest, is one of the largest dams of its type in the country. The water stored in the lake supplies the Bicaz–Stejaru (Dimitrie Leonida) hydroelectric power plant, the first large-scale hydroelectric plant ever built in Romania. The construction of the dam and power plant came at a significant human and social cost: 22 villages in the area were relocated, and large numbers of political prisoners were used as labour under extremely harsh conditions, many of whom lost their lives. In addition to its role in hydroelectric power generation, the lake serves functions related to flood attenuation, fish farming, and recreation, and was designated a natural aquatic reserve in 2000. Set within a spectacular mountain landscape, bordered by the Ceahlău Massif and located near Parcul Național Cheile Bicazului–Hășmaș, the lake is one of the best-known tourist attractions in northern Moldova, offering remarkable scenery and opportunities for boat trips.