Czech Republic Rethinks Flooding Former Coal Mines Amid Climate-Driven Water Shortages

Czechia’s plan to convert exhausted lignite mines into large artificial lakes is being challenged by a drier climate and higher evaporation, prompting officials to seek more sustainable reclamation methods. Lake Most, created by flooding a former mine between 2008 and 2014, now depends on an industrial pipeline from the Nechranice reservoir, costing several million crowns annually. Recognizing that future inflows may be insufficient, the Ministry of the Environment is shifting toward allowing parts of pits such as ČSA and Vršany to fill naturally, creating variable-level wetlands that support rare species.

At the same time, the government is evaluating complementary uses, including photovoltaic installations, industrial zones, and a potential pumped-storage plant at ČSA. A proposed water-storage scheme would connect the Libouš pit in the Nástup-Tušimice mine with the Nechranice reservoir, potentially adding up to 550 million cubic metres of capacity, though it could cost around CZK 20 billion and requires negotiations with landowner ČEZ.

Similar ideas for the Bílina pit involve linking it to Lake Most to reduce replenishment costs, but filling it could take about 14 years due to competing water demands. The debate reflects broader concerns over water security, biodiversity, and the economics of post-coal land use.