Colorful Lakes

Colorful Lakes are four multi-colored ponds located in the Rudawy Janowickie Mountains. Since the 18th century, various minerals and rocks were mined here. After the deposits were exhausted, the pits were flooded with water. Depending on the type of rock, the lake takes on a particular color.

Blue Lake

The Blue Lake is another of the pyrite mine pits, located below Mnich on the slope of the Wielka Kopa. It sits in a shallow creek valley at an altitude of about 635 m. It lies above Purple Lake and below Green Pond. A spruce forest grows around the Blue Lake. The lake is small, shaped like an oval with diameters not exceeding 50 m, but occupies the bottom of the most extensive pit stretching for about 400 m. On the relatively steep shores of the Blue Lake there is quite dense vegetation, unlike the area next to the Purple Lake. The name of the site alludes to the color of the water, which owes its color to algae that develop in the clean, well-illuminated water constantly supplied by the Mienica stream.

The slope on which the lake occurs is built mainly of Old Paleozoic amphibolites (from the east) and long veins of sericite-chlorite-quartz-albite shale, in which pyrite occurs. From the mid-18th century, pyrite began to be mined in the crumbling contact zone of the shale, from which copper and iron sulfate were obtained at the smelter, and in 1852-1902 also sulfuric acid. In 1793 the “New Happiness” (German: Neues Gluck) mine was put into operation, on the site of which the Blue Lake is now located. Due to the slow depletion of the deposit and the relatively low profitability of mining, a decision was made in 1902 to close the mine.

Purple Lake

This lake is distinguished by the purple color of the water, which comes from minerals, especially iron sulfides, which give the water an intense purple-red hue. The purple color is very unique, especially in comparison with the other lakes, and makes this place truly unique. As with the other lakes in the complex, the color can change depending on the time of day and the angle of the light, making it even more fascinating.

Green Lake (Black Pond)

The water in this lake has a green color, which is due to the presence of copper and sulfate compounds in the water. In addition, aquatic vegetation and algae can affect the intensity of this color. The green color is rather subdued, but very beautiful, especially in contrast with the surrounding forests.

Yellow Lake

This lake has a yellow tint, which is due to the presence of sulfides and other minerals in the water. The yellow color can change to a more golden hue, depending on the amount of light that falls on the lake’s surface. This lake also stands out for its unique character, although the color is not as intense as in the other lakes.

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