Upper Harz Ponds

About half the dammed ponds are classified today as reservoirs, but they have now become characteristic features of the Upper Harz and are home to some extremely rare plant and animal species.

The operator of the ponds today is the Harzwasserwerke, who also manage six modern dams in the Lower Saxon part of the Harz.

Usually small quarries were established in the terrain earmarked as the future reservoir; this had the added advantage that it increased its eventual capacity.

Although these water features have been artificially created, rare flora and fauna have evolved in and around many of the Upper Harz ponds.

The operation of the ponds over many centuries with constantly changing levels of water has also created a habitat for some extremely rare plant communities.

On the soils of many ponds coral necklace (Ilecebrum verticillatum), strapwort (Corrigiola litoralis) or shoreweed (Littorella uniflora) may be found growing.

Only native species of fish are desired, although eel and catfish are excluded due to their incompatibility with the crayfish populations.