From open-cast mine to a local recreation area
The Central German lignite mining region has undergone enormous change since the end of the GDR. While lignite still plays an important role in today's energy mix and is still mined, for example, in the active Schleenhain open-cast mine near Neukieritzsch and Groitzsch, most open-cast mines have been closed for socio-political and environmental reasons and are being carefully recultivated for the benefit of 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 changes of 1989, the lignite mining region experienced enormous dynamics of change . While during the GDR era Lake Kulkwitz was particularly well-known as the " bathtub of Leipzig " (opened in 1973), from the beginning of the 1990s onwards, one new open-cast mining lake after another was created.
First, Lake Cospuden was opened as a correspondence project of EXPO 2000 in Hanover, followed by the large Lake Goitzsche near Bitterfeld, flooded by the Elbe and Mulde rivers, and later Lake Markkleeberg and Lake Hainer . Today, Lake Geiseltal, Lake Störmthal, and Lake Zwenkau are also completely or almost completely filled.