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Upper Harz Water Management System –

107 ponds and 340 kilometres of ditches and water tunnels


Ponds, ditches and water tunnels are spread across the picturesque landscape of the Upper Harz. They are the visible components of the Upper Harz Water Management System, which was created between the 16th and 19th centuries. The ponds once served as energy storage and supplied the water to drive the water wheels that once hoisted the ore from the ground and powered the pumps in the mines, and which was later also used for transporting people underground.

The Upper Harz Water Management System, part of the World Heritage in the Harz, today includes 310 kilometres of water transport ditches and 30 kilometres of water tunnels. Of the 107 ponds that still exist, 63 are still in use for energy supply, as flood protection, as drinking water storage or as recreational bathing ponds.

The Upper Harz Water Management System also includes other important historic buildings and installations both above and below ground such as the mediaeval Walkenried Monastery, whose monks were skilled water engineers and from the second half of the 12th century were part-owners of the mining operations on the Rammelsberg, the Samson Mine in St. Andreasberg, the 19-Lachter-Stollen water drainage gallery in Wildemann, the installations at the Knesebeck Shaft in Bad Grund as well as those of the Ottiliae and Kaiser Wilhelm II Shafts in Clausthal-Zellerfeld.

Pond outlet gantry in the Upper Harz Water Management System

Pond outlet gantry in the Upper Harz Water Management System

© Stefan Sobotta

You can discover the Upper Harz Water Management System on numerous guided tours.

You can discover the Upper Harz Water Management System on numerous guided tours.

© Hansjörg Hoerseljau

Man-made landscape amid nature: the Upper Harz is characterized by its many artificial waterways.

Man-made landscape amid nature: the Upper Harz is characterized by its many artificial waterways.

© Hansjörg Hoerseljau

The Oderteich is the largest of the Upper Harz ponds.

Der Oderteich ist der größte aller Oberharzer Teiche.

© Stefan Sobotta


Upper Harz Water management system eplanation movie

Our colleagues from the Harz Tourist Association developed this interesting explanatory film on the Upper Harz water management system. (German Audio)

 

OVERVIEW MAP

CONTACT

Upper Harz Mining Museum
Bornhardtstr. 16
38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Tel. +49 5323-98950
info@bergwerksmuseum.de
www.bergwerksmuseum.de

World Heritage in the Harz

Cultural diversity amid breathtaking landscapes: the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz

At the World Heritage Site Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System a wide range of museums and monuments await your visit. Discover this treasure of human history.

On the Move
Hiking in the upper harz water management system © Foundation World Heritage in the Harz Mountains, Photo: Sobotta

Your personal tour through the World Heritage

Hiking or cycling, motorized or guided tours – there are many ways to explore the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz. Be inspired by the wide range of offers.

Themes

Architecture & settlements, mining, changing landscapes, energy production

The interactions between people and ore have left many traces in the cultural landscape of the Harz. These can be divided among the four main themes that characterize the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz.

Recommendation

Today in the Middle Ages

Visit the oldest part of the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz at the Cistercian Museum Walkenried Monastery. With its sensual and creative design within the Gothic monastery complex, it brings the Middle Ages to life.

Downloads

Go on a journey of discovery by reading your way through the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz

On 64 pages, the brochure will give you an overview of everything the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz has to offer. Enjoy browsing through it!

Highlight

Starting point for the original locations

The Information Centres of the World Heritage Site Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System inform you in fascinating exhibitions about the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz and what it offers for tourists.

Image UNESCO