The first hydropower project concerning
San River was designed in 1921 by Prof. Karol Pomianowski of the
Warsaw University of Technology. The initial geological and hydrological works were conducted between 1936–1937; however, these plans were interrupted by the outbreak of
World War II. The project was revived in 1955 and a new plan for the development of the San Valley was devised under the supervision of engineer Bolesław Kozłowski. The first works began in 1960. Nine villages, including
Solina, had to be either completely or partially submerged under water and their population had to be resettled. The lake was ultimately created in 1968 by the construction of the
Solina Dam on the
San River at the cost of PLN 1.5 billion. An estimated 2,000 workers were involved in the construction of the lake. In 1966, Polish film director, Henryk Kluba, directed the film
Chudy i inni, which tells the story of the lives of workers employed during the construction of the lake. It also deals with the various controversies surrounding the project including the
resettlement of the inhabintants of the villages that was needed for the construction of the lake. ==Description==