Stausee Mooserboden, Alpine reservoir in Kaprun, Austria
Stausee Mooserboden is an alpine reservoir in Kaprun, Austria, consisting of two artificial lakes sitting at roughly 2,040 meters altitude within Hohe Tauern National Park. The two basins are held by massive concrete dams, while the surrounding peaks rise above 3,000 meters.
The two lakes were built during the post-war years to generate hydroelectric power for the growing energy needs of Austria. Construction required thousands of workers to carve roads, tunnels and the two dams into the mountains.
The lake takes its name from the mossy ground that characterizes these high alpine zones, visible along the water edges. Cold mountain water sits behind two concrete walls that stand out sharply against the surrounding rock faces.
The reservoir is accessible only from June to October when shuttle buses and the Lärchwand inclined lift operate. The steep ascent through the mountainside climbs more than 430 meters and ends directly at the dam walls.
An on-site exhibition explains hydroelectric power generation through interactive models and displays. The MOBO 107 via ferrata lets climbers scale the concrete dam wall itself, secured to steel cables while looking straight down at the water.
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