Schwarzenbach Valley Dam

The Schwarzenbach Valley Dam lies at an altitude of 668 metres between the "Schwarzwaldhochstrasse" roadway and the Murgtal Valley. A full 2 kilometres long, the reservoir is the largest lake in the northern and central Black Forest. The water is ducted through subterranean and overground pressure pipes to the power plant in Forbach (Rudolf-Fettweiswerk/EnBW) to generate electricity.

The valley dam was built from 1922 to 1926. At times up to 2000 people worked on the structure, including many crafts-men from Italy. The granite blocks were taken from neigh-bouring quarries. The mass-retaining wall with a volume of 285 000 m³ is still regarded today as a pioneering achievement in the German construction of impounding dams. The dam is 400 metres long at the crown and 65.3 metres high. The lake holds 14.4 million m³ of water.

Its idyllic location surrounded by the mountains of the Black Forest makes the lake a popular destination in both summer and winter. Rowing and pedal-boat riding can be done from May to September. A splendid view across the lake can be enjoyed from the hotel and restaurant terrace. Technical data and the history of construction are depicted on several charts on the path along the banks. The Herrenwieser See, one of the loveliest Karsee lakes dating back to the Ice Age, lies three kilometres above the dam.

Info

Tourist-Info Forbach im Rathaus
Landstraße 27
76596 Forbach, FRG
Telefon: +49 (0) 7228 39-0
Fax: +49 (0) 7228 39-80
E-Mail: touristinfo@forbach.de
Internet: www.forbach.de