From open-cast mine to a local recreation area
The Central German lignite mining area has been undergoing enormous change since the end of the GDR. While brown coal still plays an important role in the energy mix today and is mined, for example, in the active Schleenhain opencast mine near Neukieritzsch and Groitzsch, most opencast mines have been closed for socio-political and environmental reasons and are being carefully recultivated for nature and people.
Most mining cavities—also called residual pits—are flooded. This can be done with rainwater or groundwater inflow, by diversions from rivers such as the Saale or Elster, or even by artificial flooding using pipelines that pump groundwater from active open-pit coal mines into the residual pits.
The lakes at a glance
More than 23 opencast mines are being transformed into lakes around Leipzig, Halle, Bitterfeld, and Borna, and the quality of life and recreational value are improving with each year. Marinas, vacation homes, and sports facilities are springing up everywhere, with beaches and piers inviting visitors to linger.
Especially after the political change in 1989, the lignite mining area received an enormous Dynamics of changeWhile in GDR times Lake Kulkwitz was the Bathtub of the Leipziger became known (opened in 1973), from the beginning of the XNUMXs onwards one new open-cast mining lake after another was created.
First, the Lake Cospuden as a correspondence project of the EXPO 2000 in Hanover, then the flood on the Elbe and Mulde led to the great Goitzschesee near Bitterfeld, later Markkleeberger Lake and Hainer Lake. Today, Geiseltalsee, Störmthaler and Zwenkauer See finished or almost finished flooding.