Oleftalsperre, Dam in Hellenthal, Germany
The Oleftalsperre is a concrete buttress dam that rises above the Olef River within the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park. The structure holds approximately twenty million cubic meters of water and is surrounded by a walking path that encircles the entire reservoir.
Construction began in 1954 and was completed in 1959, with the reservoir reaching full capacity in 1965. The dam was built as part of post-war infrastructure development in North Rhine-Westphalia to manage water resources for the region.
The dam serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors connect with the region's relationship to water management and nature. Hikers and cyclists experience how the structure shapes the landscape and daily life in this part of the Eifel.
A thirteen-kilometer circular path surrounds the water and is accessible for both walkers and cyclists through wooded rolling hills. Multiple starting points offer flexibility, and the route passes through varied terrain with several spots where you can pause to enjoy views of the water and surrounding landscape.
The downstream face was decorated in 2007 by artist Klaus Dauven with forest animal imagery created using high-pressure water cleaning techniques. This temporary art installation demonstrates how flowing water can etch natural scenes onto the concrete surface, creating a surprising visual experience.
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