Stausee Sohland, reservoir in Germany

Stausee Sohland is a reservoir in the Spree valley north of the B98 road bridge in Sohland an der Spree, Saxony. Its 650-metre-long, 70- to 150-metre-wide basin holds up to 9.5 hectares of water, on average 2 metres deep. A long pale two-storey building with a dark red roof and three dormer windows stands on the far bank, with moored boats beside it; an overturned green rowboat lies in the tall grass in the foreground.

Built between 1937 and 1941 by the Reichsarbeitsdienst, the reservoir was intended for flood protection on the Spree. An 80-metre earth dam with a 4-metre crown was raised, moving 50,000 cubic metres of soil. Siltation soon reduced its capacity, and after the old reservoir was drained for good in 2000, a bypass channel was dug west of the lake and the redeveloped reservoir reopened on 17 September 2004.

The reservoir lies north of the B98 road bridge in the Spree valley, on the Oberlausitzer Bergweg long-distance trail. The Spree itself now runs in a separate 1.2 km channel west of the lake, past a steep bank where kingfishers have been resettled. The site has a beer garden, boat hire and barbecue and play areas.

The water body attracts anglers seeking several fish species found in its waters. The shoreline sections provide seasonal habitats for birdwatching and wildlife observation throughout the year.