Leisure retreat between Witten and Bochum

Lake Kemnade was completed in 1979 as the last barrage on the Ruhr to date. Located between Witten-Heven and Bochum-Stiepel, the reservoir was built by the Ruhrverband on behalf of Freizeitzentrum Kemnade GmbH (FZK). It primarily serves various leisure interests. A side effect is the cleaning effect.

The weir has four openings that are closed with hydraulically operated flaps. The fish ladder and boat lane are located next to the weir. During major flood events, the entire system is overflowed. A hydroelectric power station was built on the right-hand side of the weir in 2011. The entire Ruhr flows through the power plant and generates around 3.6 million kWh of electricity per year.

The Ruhrverband has the right to lower Lake Kemnader by 20 centimetres to compensate for low water levels in the Ruhr. The Ruhrverband has been responsible for the Kemnader Reservoir since 1995. However, leisure activities continue to be organised by the FZK.