LAC ET RÉSERVE DE COSTEŞTI-STÂNCA

Formed by the Prut River, the lake of Costești and its surroundings form a nature reserve stretching between Moldova and Romania. The lake is the second largest in Moldova, after the lake of Dubăsari, with an area of 59 km2. It flows up the Prut River to the village of Viișoara over a length of 70 km and can accumulate 1.285 billion cubic metres. Its maximum depth is 43 m. The dam built in the second half of the 1970s is 710 m wide. Its hydroelectric power plant has a capacity of 32,000 kWt. The Stânca Nature Reserve-Costești covers an area of 2,950 ha and 2,161 ha have the status of a special area for the protection of avifauna, which is home to 85 species of birds. The area includes wetlands, cereal growing areas and grasslands. They offer favourable nesting and feeding conditions for several migratory and sedentary bird species, some of which are protected at European level or are on the IUCN Red List. Among these bird species are herons, black-crowned night-herons, bald eagles, gulls, geese, ducks, egrets, storks... The reserve is also home to squirrels, wild boars, foxes and many other animals.

During the good times of the year, visitors can rest on the beaches of the lake, go boating, fishing... The places are perfect for beautiful walks.