Lake Vidraru

Lake Vidraru is a reservoir on the Argeș River in Argeș County, Romania, created by Vidraru Dam during the 1960s. The dam is an arch-type concrete structure used for hydropower generation.

The dam and reservoir are visited for dramatic mountain scenery and viewpoints along the Transfăgărășan road, plus short walks and lookout platforms near the dam. The engineered structure itself is a focal point for photos and observation.

Construction of Vidraru Dam took place during the 1960s under Romania’s mid-20th century development programmes; the completed dam and reservoir formed to generate electricity and regulate the Argeș River. The project altered local hydrography and created the present lake.

The reservoir sits in the foothills of the Făgăraș Mountains, on the Argeș River, near the commune of Arefu and adjacent to the Transfăgărășan road in central-southern Romania.

• Dam height and date: Construction of the dam took place in the 1960s and the completed arch dam has a structural height of 166 metres.
• Use and viewpoints: The lake is used for hydropower generation and is a popular viewpoint for travelers driving the nearby Transfăgărășan road.

What to See #

• Vidraru Dam: Vidraru Dam is the concrete arch dam that created the reservoir; it was built in the 1960s to generate hydropower and control the Argeș River.
• Transfăgărășan viewpoints: The reservoir and surrounding viewpoints lie along the Transfăgărășan road corridor that traverses the Făgăraș Mountains, providing roadside lookouts over the lake.