Have you ever felt the silent power of a dam? Standing before Talsperre Kauscha you sense its might. This impressive structure isn’t just a pretty face. It’s a vital part of Dresden’s infrastructure. Built between 1983 and 1985 Talsperre Kauscha opened in 1987. Its primary purpose is flood protection for the Dresden districts of Nickern and Prohlis. The dam also provides water for the region.
Initially the plan was bigger. It was supposed to be integrated with highway construction. The highway was meant to run over the dam. This would have made the dam significantly larger. But highway construction didn’t get the green light. The project was scaled down. Agricultural needs were included in the final design. The Land and Water Management departments shared the costs.
Construction started in 1983. It ended in 1985. A trial run began in the fall of 1986. But leaks were discovered on the right bank. This delayed the official opening. These leaks were only fixed in October 1997. Today Talsperre Kauscha operates in a constant state of partial filling. The water level is self-regulating. This is thanks to a clever open vent in the overflow shaft.
Excess water from the overflow and the bottom drain is channeled through two concrete pipes. These pipes empty into the Geberbach river. The river is where the outlet gauge for the dam is located. Interestingly the A17 highway Dresden-Prague runs right over the dam. The dam’s earth structure is ingenious. It’s a homogenous embankment dam with a 50-meter-long waterproof layer. The height of this mighty structure is 14.8 meters above the valley floor. Its crown sits at 180.94 meters above sea level. Its crown is 150 meters long and 3.5 meters wide.
The Talsperre Kauscha holds approximately 245,000 cubic meters of water. The reservoir’s capacity for flood control is 140,000 cubic meters. This is essential given the Geberbach’s limited drainage capacity. The Geberbach river is partially channeled. The dam also supplies a guaranteed 5 liters of water per second to the local wildlife. Today Talsperre Kauscha continues its critical role in protecting Dresden. It continues to serve as a silent guardian against floods. It silently safeguards the city.