The Neunzehnhain I Dam is located in the Bornwald forest near the Ore Mountains town of Pockau-Lengefeld. It was built between 1905 and 1908 to supply the burgeoning industrial city of Chemnitz with drinking water. The dam was put into operation the same year it was completed. However, it proved too small for the growing demand. Therefore, just three years after completion, construction of the Neunzehnhain II Dam began. The two "sisters" are essentially the same design.