It supplies drinking water to the Western Ore Mountains as well as acting as flood protection.

In addition the waters of the Große Bockau are diverted along a hillside channel west of the Auersberg from Oberwildenthal via Wildenthal to the reservoir.

In view of the simple materials used for its construction it remains even today as technically impressive.

The facility was given the sobriquet "Dam of Peace" (Talsperre des Friedens) and was mentioned in the Song of the Youth Brigades (Lied der Jugendbrigaden: "We provided water in Sosa...).

Bathing, angling and leisure sports are not permitted, but there is a public footpath around the reservoir.