Mittlerer Pfauenteich, reservoir in Germany
The Mittlerer Pfauenteich is a man-made reservoir in Clausthal-Zellerfeld and part of a chain of historic dams built in the 16th century. The earthen dam stands about 10 meters high and stretches around 200 meters, fed by the Zellbach stream, with the water surface surrounded by forest year-round.
The pond was built by the early 16th century as part of the Oberharzer water system supplying the mines. It was raised and reinforced in the 18th century, survived wartime damage, and was later converted to help prevent flooding.
The pond is part of the Oberharzer water management system that shaped the region's mining culture. Visitors can see how water was essential to underground work and how communities organized themselves around this resource.
The pond is accessible on foot or by bike along the water trail 'Hirschler Teich / Pfauenteiche', with no parking directly at the site. Visitors should stay on marked paths, as swimming and fishing are not permitted and the water is protected.
Two small gatekeeper houses stand atop the dam, with one still used today for water control. These historic structures allowed mining workers to direct water flow precisely and supply different parts of the mining system.
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