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World Heritage Upper Harz Water Management System

World Heritage Upper Harz Water Management System

The 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 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 ater storage or as recreational bathing ponds. 

In the following events calendar you can get an overview of the guided tours and walks through the Upper Harz Water Management System.