From the opencast mine to a recreational area
The Central German lignite mining area has been in tremendous change since the end of the GDR. While lignite is still important in today's energy mix and that, for example, Schleenhain near Neukieritzsch and Groitzsch is being supported by us in active open-cast mining, most of the open pit mines are being and are set for social and environmental reasons carefully recultivated for nature and man.
Most mining cavities - also called residual holes - are flooded. Either with rainwater or the inflow of groundwater, through branches of rivers such as Saale or Elster or also through artificial flooding by means of pipelines, in which the pumped groundwater of the active coal mines is led into the remaining holes.
Just after the political change 1989 the lignite mining area got an enormous change dynamics, While in GDR times especially the Kulkwitzer See as Bathtub of the Leipziger became known (opened 1973), so emerged from the early nineties, a new Tagebausee after another.
First, the Cospuden Lake As a correspondence project of the EXPO 2000 in Hannover handed over its new purpose, then followed by the flood of Elbe and Mulde the big Goitzschesee at Bitterfeld, later Markkleeberg lake and Hainer See, Today are too Geiseltalsee, Störmthaler and Zwenkauer See finished or almost finished flooded.
An overview of our lakes
More than 23 open pit holes are turning around Leipzig and Halle, Bitterfeld and Borna in lakes and the quality of life and recreational value are improving with each passing year. Everywhere there are boat harbors, holiday apartments and sports facilities, beaches and footbridges invite you to linger.
