Dam of the Vesdre, dam

The Dam of the Vesdre is a reservoir in Eupen, in eastern Belgium, formed by blocking the Vesdre river with a large concrete dam wall. The water fills a long, narrow valley surrounded by forested slopes, with the dam structure sitting at the southern end of the basin.

Construction of the dam began in 1936 under chief engineer de Clerk, after plans dating back to 1838 and earlier French-era studies for the cloth industry. Work halted during the Second World War and the dam was inaugurated on 9 February 1950 by Auguste Buisseret on behalf of the ailing Regent Charles of Belgium. A separate treatment plant at the foot of the wall followed on 30 June 1951.

The reservoir is a popular spot for people from Eupen who come to walk along the water on weekends. The forested banks and open views over the water make it a place where locals come to spend time outdoors rather than as a tourist destination.

Walking paths run around the reservoir and offer good views over the water and surrounding forest. Some sections may still be affected by the 2021 floods, so it is worth checking current access conditions before visiting.

The reservoir sits within the German-speaking Community of Belgium, a small area where German is the official language. This means that signs, menus, and conversations around the site are in German, which can come as a surprise to visitors who did not expect it in Belgium.