Perlenbachtalsperre, reservoir in Germany
The Perlenbachtalsperre is a stone dam near Monschau completed in 1956 that spans about 120 meters with a height around 18 meters. The dam holds a basin fed by several streams such as the Hasselbach and Königsbach and serves today for both drinking water supply and electricity generation from flowing water.
The dam was planned in the 1950s and completed in 1956 to provide drinking water and later generate electricity. The hydroelectric plant was added in 2004, and water treatment was expanded in 2001 with a modern facility that can now process up to 700 cubic meters per hour.
The name Perlenbachtalsperre comes from the Perlenbach stream that feeds the reservoir. On fine days you see walkers and families sitting by the water or following the trails around it, which shows how this place is now used as a spot for rest and connection with nature.
The reservoir is easily reached by car from nearby towns such as Schleiden or Monschau, with marked trails of varying difficulty for walking. Various accommodation options like small hotels and holiday apartments are located nearby, and rest spots with views over the water are scattered along the paths.
The basin is fed by streams from a catchment area of about 64 square kilometers, with most of it lying in Belgium, showing how water systems work across borders. A fish passage opening on the dam measuring 8.5 meters wide allows fish to pass through and keeps the natural flow intact.
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