칼탈스페레‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪6‬개의 호수

The Hohes Venn-Eifel Nature Park contains several reservoirs and dams that regulate the rivers and streams in the Eifel region. These reservoirs, such as the Rurtalsperre Schwammenauel, Urfttalsperre, and other smaller dams, were constructed to control water levels, supply drinking water, prevent flooding, and in some cases, generate electricity from the water flow. Water release valves (also called sluice gates or valves) are technical components in dams and reservoirs that allow operators to control the release or flush of water, thus regulating the water level in the reservoir. Without these valves, water would only flow downward via overflows and natural outflows, which can lead to dangerous water levels in the event of excessive rainfall. In large dams like the Rurtalsperre Schwammenauel, these valves are part of a complex system of pipes and control houses. At the bottom of the dam, large steel pipes typically contain multiple valves (e.g., butterfly valves or special release valves) that allow large volumes of water to be released from the reservoir in a controlled manner. These valves can be mechanically or electrically operated and are a vital link in the lake's management. The valves themselves are robust, large mechanical structures specifically designed to withstand high water pressure and tens of thousands of cubic meters of water. Large dams incorporate multiple valves to enable various water management scenarios, from slow release during light rain to rapid release during extreme weather. Dams like the Rur Dam (Schwammenauel), for example, use butterfly valves and special release valves in the dam's bottom outlets. These components allow for the controlled release of water from the reservoir's depths, while also serving to discharge sediment and limit erosion in the downstream channel. In the Hohes Venn-Eifel Nature Park, these water management systems are embedded in a landscape where nature, recreation, and water management converge. The reservoirs and their release valves not only help protect the region from flood risk but also support the ecological balance of river valleys and provide peaceful recreational areas for hikers and cyclists.

The Urft Dam (Urfttalsperre) is the oldest valley dam in the Eifel region, built around 1900–1905 to regulate the Urft River and supply water for drinking water and power generation. Together with the Urft Lake (Urftstausee), the dam is part of an impressive network of reservoirs in the Eifel National Park, offering fantastic views, especially from a specially located viewing platform on the dam wall. The official Eifel-Blick Urftstaumauer panoramic viewpoint is located directly on the Urft Dam wall. From here, you have a spectacular view of: • 💧 The Urft Lake (Urftstausee), a large artificial lake with a water capacity of up to 45.5 million m³, stretching approximately 12 km. • 🏞️ The dam wall itself is an impressive structure of natural stone and technical hydraulic engineering that was once intended to be the largest dam in Europe. • 🌳 The surrounding nature of the Eifel National Park, the wooded slopes and the plateau around Gemünd, together form a picturesque and wide panorama. • 🏰 The former Ordensburg Vogelsang, a well-known historical site in the distance, is part of the broader Eifel landscape that you can see from this viewpoint. The viewing platform itself once stood on the site of the dam keeper's house (between 1924 and 1926), but it was destroyed during World War II. Today, it offers an open panoramic viewpoint with free access all day long. The view of the Urft Dam spillway from the viewing platform on the Urfttalsperre dam wall is one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Eifel National Park. From here, you can experience the wide view of Lake Urft (Urftstausee), the imposing dam, and the surrounding wooded landscape—a perfect combination of nature, technology, and history in one viewpoint.

There's currently little water in the dam! It overflowed during the last visit!

It's really impressive when the water runs down the funnel. It's so loud you'd think a big vacuum cleaner was running.

The circular path around the Kalltalsperre is very well developed and surrounded by an impressive rock and forest landscape. Whether you are hiking or cycling, the Kalltalsperre is always a worthwhile destination. The northern side is easily navigable gravel, the southern side is perfectly asphalted. It is always an experience to cycle through this wonderful nature.

You can really only recommend the section. The slightly steeper sections (directly on the lake) can be mastered.

On the right of the picture you can see the dismantled piston valve of the bottom outlet line

Impressive to look at up close.