Ponds on the Jasień River

The ponds on the Jasień River are a water reservoir on ulica Przędzalniana in Łódź, in the Widzew district, close to the junction with ulica Milionowa. This is a place for walks, birdwatching and fishing, closely connected with the history of Łódź's textile industry and the residence of Edward Herbst.

The river that powered factories

The Jasień is approximately 12.5 kilometres long and flows entirely through Łódź's territory, later joining the Ner river. It begins its course in Stoki at a height of around 250 metres above sea level and ends at 173 metres, which provided considerable ground slope. In the nineteenth century, this slope was utilised to power mills and textile factories.

Pond on Przędzalniana

The reservoir itself covers an area of approximately 3.5 hectares with a depth of 2 to 4 metres. In 1970, during construction of ulica Śmigłego-Rydza, its surface area was reduced to 3.46 hectares. On the northern bank of the pond, Edward Herbst's residence was constructed in 1875–1877, today known as the Herbst Palace Museum.

Traces of industrial Łódź

The Jasień also flowed past another important industrial site, Księży Młyn, built over the river by Karol Wilhelm Scheibler. According to local accounts, a stretch of the river was deliberately left inside factory buildings to facilitate the disposal of production waste. Today most of the Jasień's course is either a concrete or underground channel, functioning primarily as the city's drainage system rather than a natural river.

Nature around the pond

The area around the pond is noted as a place for observing waterfowl and wetland birds, as well as a habitat for frogs and dragonflies. Historically, the Jasień had five tributaries – Olechówka, Karolewka, Wólka and Dąbrówka – of which only some sections are visible today.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Przędzalniana, Łódź (Widzew district, at the junction with ul. Milionową).
• Access by public transport; parking available in the vicinity.
• The area is accessible to walkers and anglers throughout the season; this is not a bathing site.
• What to expect: a quiet water reservoir, traces of former industrial buildings in the area, birds and other small water creatures, proximity to Księży Młyn and Herbst Palace.