From 1910 to 1913 the Saalachsee was created. It wasn’t a natural lake. The Saalachsee is a reservoir. It’s part of the Saalach power plant. This plant provides electricity for trains. Specifically the railway lines between Freilassing Bad Reichenhall and Bad Reichenhall Berchtesgaden. It also powers the Freilassing Salzburg section of the Rosenheim Salzburg line.
The Saalachsee wasn’t just built for power. Its creation flooded Atzenstadelanwesen. This was a property in the area. The flooding also made the Gradierbach disappear. This small stream provided water for the city’s salt works. The electric works of Reichenhall closed after the power plant opened.
The Saalachsee has a problem. Sediment from the Saalach river constantly fills it. This leads to the riverbed cutting deeper downstream. Expensive engineering work is needed to fix it.
A positive change occurred in 2005. A new power plant was added. It released some water back into the original riverbed. This is good for the ecology. But fish still can’t get past the dam. There is no fish ladder.
The Saalachsee is more than just a reservoir. It’s a part of the history of this region. It highlights a turning point in energy production. It changed the local landscape forever. Despite ongoing challenges the Saalachsee continues to play a crucial role. It provides power and shapes the environment. So next time you see the Saalachsee remember its unique story. A story of progress and environmental challenges intertwined.