The old weir "Barrage" - power from water
The weir was built in 1859/60 by Jules Lamort (1817-1889) together with an aqueduct and a canal to operate the wood mill located downstream from the Syria. It served to raise the water level in order to concentrate the height of fall to use the water power. The weir guaranteed a steady and effective supply of water to the mill. The dammed water was passed on in an approx. 850 m long canal. This canal is still recognizable today and begins at the weir on the right of the Syr, crosses the Syr in an aqueduct and runs on the left to the connection to the water house of the wood mill. The canal created a greater gradient and increased the rate of fall. This increased the power transmission to the turbine of the wood mill.
Movable weir from the 19th century
It is a so-called rifle defense, the oldest and simplest form of movable weir (first mentioned in 880 AD). Movable, mechanically driven closures made it possible to regulate the water flow. On the Syr, together with an overflow wall, they were primarily used to regulate the water supply in the canal of the wood mill. The weir is divided into two weir fields by a stone intermediate pillar, so that in the event of failure of one field, flood, ice or debris could be diverted through the other field. The fields were closed by boards made of oak (called Schützentafel) in slide rails.
Building worthy of protection.
At the turn of the century, with the abandonment of the wood mill, the weir, including the canal and aqueduct, ceased to function and has been falling into disrepair ever since. As a testimony to the beginning of industrialization in the Syrtal, which fits harmoniously into nature, it will be repaired.