Short circuit of the Oderteich dam. For a long time the Oderteich was the largest and most modern reservoir in Germany.
The Oderteich is the largest of all the water storage ponds in the Upper Harz and the highpoint of historic water engineering. The dam is 21 m high and is constructed using gigantic granite blocks. The Oderteich was the largest reservoir in Germany for 171 years.
The reservoir was constructed in 1722. It is completely different from all the other water storage ponds in the Harz. The information boards along the way will tell you what is so special about it. For example why the dam was built from huge granite blocks. Or what was done during the icy winters in the High Harz.
When the water level is low, you can see where the granite blocks used to build the dam were taken from.
The Oderteich pond was important for the mines in the Harz. The giant water wheels in the mines needed a lot of water all year round.
Still today, the water from the Oderteich flows through the Rehberger Graben ditch to Samson Mine in Sankt Andreasberg. Until 1910 the water from the Oderteich was used to drive the water wheels at Samson Mine. Today the water is used for a water power station. There, electricity is generated.
