Beneath the surface of calm waters lies a story of transformation and purpose. This is the Hengsteysee. It is more than just a lake. Hengsteysee is a testament to human ingenuity and nature’s resilience.
Imagine this: It’s the late 1920s. The Ruhr region is transforming. Industry is booming. The need for water management is growing. Thus, construction began on the Hengsteysee in 1927. By 1929, the Hengsteysee was completed. It became one of five reservoirs on the Ruhr River.
Hengsteysee stretches 4.2 kilometers. Its average width spans 296 meters. The lake begins where the Lenne River joins the Ruhr. It ends at the Hengsteysee weir and hydroelectric plant. The Klusenberg hill watches over the Hengsteysee from the north.
But Hengsteysee is more than just a pretty body of water. It serves four critical functions. First, it acts as the lower reservoir for the Koepchenwerk pumped-storage plant. Think of it as a giant battery, storing energy for when it’s needed most. Second, the Hengsteysee performs biological purification of water from the Lenne. This helps to keep the Ruhr River clean and healthy. Third, it acts as a deposit for sediment from the Lenne. This prevents the sediment from clogging up the river downstream. Fourth, Hengsteysee is a venue for water sports and tourism.
Picture sailboats gliding across the water. Feel the thrill of rowing. Hear the splash of paddles. Hengsteysee is a hub for water sports enthusiasts. Several sports clubs call the lake shore home. The Hengsteysee Sailing Club and Dortmund University Sailing Club are just two examples. The Hagen Canoe Club also enjoys the lake.
The DLRG groups of Dortmund and Hagen keep everyone safe on the water. They have water rescue stations on Hengsteystrasse and Seestrasse. They stand ready to assist in any emergency.
Now, a word of caution. While Hengsteysee is perfect for boating, it is not suitable for swimming. The water quality isn’t good enough. In fact, the health department has warned against swimming here since 2008.
However, in the late 1990s, the waterweed Elodea spread rapidly. This made water sports difficult.
From the Hengsteysee, you can also see the Hohensyburg. The Hohensyburg has the ruins of a Saxon hill fort and the Kaiser Wilhelm monument. The Kaiser Wilhelm monument offers a wide view of the Ruhr valley, the mouth of the Lenne in the Ruhr and the Hengsteysee.
Next time you see the Hengsteysee, remember its story. It is a story of engineering, ecology, and recreation. The Hengsteysee is more than just a reservoir. It is a vital part of the Ruhr region.