Unterer Bockhartsee, lagoon in Austria
Unterer Bockhartsee is a high-altitude reservoir in the Austrian Alps at about 1,870 meters elevation, situated in a mountain valley surrounded by steep rocky slopes. The water is held back by a dam approximately 40 meters wide and over 5 meters high, storing more than 700,000 cubic meters of water.
The lake was created in the early 20th century by engineers for mining operations and hydroelectric power, with the dam serving the mining activities of that era. Over the decades, the dam was raised multiple times, most recently in 2007 by about 8 meters, to increase water storage capacity for power generation.
The lake's name evolved over centuries from earlier designations, reflecting the long history of human settlement in this valley. Visitors can observe today how mining and industrial work have shaped the cultural identity of this mountain landscape.
The lake is accessible via hiking trails from nearby settlements, with marked paths leading through the mountain landscape. Visitors should bring weatherproof clothing and sturdy footwear, as conditions at this elevation can change quickly and the terrain is rocky.
During regular inspections, the lake is completely drained to examine the dam structure, an event that occurs only every ten years and offers visitors a rare glimpse of the dry lakebed. In the last inspection in 2021, modern monitoring instruments were installed to continuously track the stability of the facility.
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