During my visit I was impressed by the imposing appearance of the dam, an impressive structure built between 1967 and 1975. The final commissioning took place in 1978 and marked an important milestone in the history of long-distance water supply in southern Thuringia, which today supplies around 230,000 consumers.
The Schönbrunn dam is not only a technical masterpiece, but also an important part of flood protection in the region. The structural peculiarity of this stone fill dam with an asphalt outer seal, which extends over a length of 260 meters and a height of 66 meters, is remarkable. The reservoir, which was created by damming the Schleuse river, blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape.
Despite the low water levels that were apparent during my visit, the reservoir exuded a tranquil beauty. The area around Schönbrunn Dam offers scenic hiking trails that run along the banks and offer beautiful views of the water and the surrounding nature.