Saalekaskade

The Saalekaskade is a hydroelectric system consisting of five successive dams and power stations positioned along the upper Saale River in Thuringia. Each facility is spaced progressively downriver, working together to manage water flow and generate electricity.

The system was built between 1930 and 1940 to control river water levels for navigation and electricity production. The facilities were expanded and updated significantly after World War II to increase output.

The cascade has become woven into local life, with the reservoirs serving as gathering places where people swim, sail, and walk along the shores during warm months.

The five dams named Hohenwarte, Bleiloch, Burgkhammer, Walsburg, and Eichicht each have viewing areas that are open throughout the year. It is best to visit the sites on a day trip by car, stopping at individual dams to walk around and observe the reservoirs.

One striking feature is that the Hohenwarte II station employs eight large turbines and generates a substantial share of electricity for the entire region. When completed, the system represented a technological leap and became a model for other hydroelectric projects.