Ofenwaldsperre

The Ofenwaldsperre is a concrete dam in Sonthofen that crosses the Winkler Starzlach valley and manages water flow depending on weather conditions. The structure has a curved shape that directs water pressure toward the surrounding rock walls.

Engineers built this structure in the early 1960s to protect valley settlements from flooding during heavy weather. Its completion became a turning point in regional water control and allowed communities to grow in areas that were previously risky.

The structure reflects how Germans shaped their Alpine valleys with modern engineering and shows the relationship between communities and their water management systems. Local residents and visitors pass by it regularly, treating it as a natural part of the landscape.

You can approach the dam on foot from several viewpoints that overlook the valley and the water behind it. The best time to visit is during dry weather when paths are easy to walk and visibility is clear.

This is Germany's only true arch dam and uses a specially curved design to distribute enormous water pressure. The principle is elegant: instead of the structure holding all the force alone, the curve directs pressure into the surrounding rock walls.