Two of Germany's largest reservoirs are located in the centre of NRW
The Biggetal dam was built on the outskirts of the town of Attendorn in the 1960s. Its main purpose is to store and release water as required, thus ensuring a constant flow of water in the Ruhr.
From the Ahausen reservoir, up to 40 per cent of the required supply water from all the reservoirs can be released into the Ruhr river system via the Bigge and Lenne rivers.
Another important task is flood protection for those downstream of the dam. In the flood-prone period from 1 November to 1 February, a flood protection area of 32 million cubic metres is kept free, which is released for impoundment in the period from 1 February to 1 May.
Water is released from the reservoir primarily via the Bigge power station. The hydroelectric power plants of Lister- und Lennekraftwerke GmbH on the Bigge and Lister rivers generate around 24 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The total capacity of the five turbines is around 18 megawatts.
The Lister dam, which was completed in 1912, became one of the five reservoirs when the Bigge dam was built. The main basin of the Biggetal Dam dams two thirds of the 40 metre high Lister dam wall from the air side. The difference in water level between the Lister and Biggetal dams is utilised for power generation. Kreiswerke Olpe takes most of the water it needs to supply its region from the Lister dam.
The Ahausen reservoir is located below Attendorn in the Biggetal valley. It was built in 1938 to regulate the Bigge and has also served as an equalising pond for the operation of the Biggetal dam power plant since the Biggetal dam was commissioned. The dam is created by an earth dam and a weir system, between which a power station is located. The weir has two flap gates and two fixed weir fields.
Tasks and function
During our tours, you will learn interesting facts about the construction, water supply and operation of our dams.
The hydroelectric power plants of Lister- und Lennekraftwerke GmbH on the Bigge and Lister rivers generate around 24 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The total installed capacity of the five turbines is around 18 megawatts.
The Biggetalsperre offers numerous opportunities for active or relaxing leisure activities. Whether fishing, cycling or diving - discover the various sports and leisure options.
Sport & Leisure
You can find more detailed information about fishing at the Bigge and Lister dams on our fishing website
Recreation-seekers can swim and splash around to their heart's content at the designated bathing areas at the Bigge and Lister dams.
The North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV) provides an overview of the bathing areas in NRW designated in accordance with the EC Bathing Water Directive in an interactive map.
In the summer months, various passenger boats on the reservoirs offer excursions. Further information can be found on the Biggesee passenger boat website.
Using the Bigge and Lister dams with rowing boats, canoes or inflatable boats is a public use and can therefore be practised free of charge.
Various clubs have established themselves on Lake Bigge, where further information on water sports activities can be obtained:
The details of sailing on the Bigge and Lister dams are regulated by the public use regulations of the Arnsberg district government and the recreational regulations of the Ruhrverband.
Sale of boat licences
Tourismusverband Biggesee-Listersee
by telephone appointment on: 02722-6579240 (Mondays to Fridays)
Sailing clubs
Yacht Club Lister am Biggesee e. V.
In the Biggetal dam, diving is permitted at the Kraghammer Sattel (subject to registration), at the Biggesee diving school (for training purposes only) and in the Weuste diving area (without prior registration). At the Kraghammer Sattel, the lake is up to 42 metres deep when full. The Weuste diving area, with a maximum depth of 23 metres, is also suitable for beginners thanks to its shallow entry.
Bookings for diving at Kraghammer Sattel
(also possible online)
Courses
History
History
Before the Second World War, the reservoir managed by the Ruhr Valley Dam Association was no longer sufficient to guarantee the water supply to the industrial area without any restrictions due to the increased demand for drinking and abdominal water. After detailed preliminary investigations, the design work for the Biggetal dam began in 1938. However, these had to be cancelled due to the Second World War.
It was only after industry flourished and the population increased after the war that the Ruhr Dam Association took up the plans again. In 1956, the NRW state parliament passed a special law to finance this major construction project. This laid the foundations for the construction of the Biggetal dam between 1957 and 1965.
The Bigge dam was completed in 1965. It is located between Attendorn and Olpe in the valley of the Bigge, a tributary of the Lenne, which flows into the Ruhr just above Lake Hengstey. The Lister dam, which was completed in 1912, became the forebay of the Bigge dam, meaning that the dam system has a reservoir volume of around 172 million cubic metres at this point.
In order to provide a range of recreational facilities, the district of Olpe, the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe and the Ruhrverband formed Biggesee GmbH, which operates camping and bathing sites. The expansion of these facilities was completed in 1986 with the construction of a large recreation centre on the peninsula to the north-east of Sondern.
