Speicher Altenberg, Dam in Saxony
Speicher Altenberg is a water reservoir in a mountainous area that has collected and stored water since the early 1990s. The dam is made of granite stones with a plastic seal and stretches about 670 meters, creating a calm water surface surrounded by forested hills.
The dam was built between 1987 and 1993 and began operating in 1992 to supply drinking water to the town and prevent flooding. This project came after the closure of mining operations in the region in 1991, when the reservoir shifted its main purpose from supporting metal extraction to providing water for local use.
The reservoir draws local residents and visitors for walks, picnics, and time in nature, especially during warmer months. This outdoor life reflects how deeply the community values their connection to water and the surrounding landscape.
The reservoir is easy to reach by car with parking available nearby for visitors. The area is perfect for walking and biking along paths around the water, and a camping area next to a small lake offers accommodation for longer stays.
The reservoir was completed after tin mines closed in 1991 and replaced their role in water management, marking a striking shift from supporting metal extraction to modern drinking water supply. This change shows how a mining region reinvented itself after industry ended, now serving water to about 9,000 people.
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