Rückhaltebecken Stöhna

The Rückhaltebecken Stöhna is a protected nature reserve near Rötha and Böhlen covering about 293 hectares of wetland with multiple habitat types. The landscape includes reed beds, shallow water zones, islands, mudflats, willow thickets, and grassland, creating a diverse environment within the Untere Pleiße water system.

This area developed from a former open-pit mine that was transformed between 1972 and 1977 into a flood retention basin. The conversion was part of a larger water management system along the Untere Pleiße river.

The name refers to Stöhna village, which was relocated in 1956 due to mining expansion and survives today only through this designation. It serves as a reminder of the people who once inhabited this area before it was reshaped.

The basin is accessible via paths that wind through the terrain and offer multiple viewpoints for observation. The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when numerous bird species rest and breed here.

The basin serves a dual purpose: it protects bird habitats while also managing flood risks by storing water during peak periods of the Pleiße River. This combination of conservation and practical water management makes it valuable for the entire region.