Ahauser Stausee, reservoir
The Ahauser Stausee is an artificial lake in Kreis Olpe formed by an earth dam approximately 165 meters wide, with a water surface covering more than 33 hectares and a maximum depth of roughly 13 meters. Located on the border between the towns of Attendorn and Finnentrop, it receives water from the Bigge River and releases it downstream after use.
Built between 1937 and 1938, the Ahauser Stausee was created as part of a water management system designed to improve electricity supply and flood control in the Kreis Olpe region. In 2003, a portion of the lake and its rocky shoreline was designated as the nature reserve 'Ahauser Klippen und Stausee'.
The Ahauser Stausee serves as a gathering place for the local community, with an annual boat race featuring a popular sailing class that brings families and enthusiasts together. The lake's role in the region reflects a balance between practical water management and recreational use that shapes how people interact with the landscape.
The lake is accessible via Landesstraße 539 and offers fishing opportunities and walking paths along the shoreline. Visitors should note that boating is restricted in certain areas and that water levels can fluctuate noticeably throughout the day.
A small hydropower plant with a capacity of 2.2 megawatts harnesses the water flow to generate approximately 3 million kilowatt-hours annually for the local area. Adjacent to the lake lies the Attendorn-Finnentrop airfield, which offers visitors the chance to view the landscape and water from above.
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