Eder Dam & Aquapark – Your experience at Edersee

The last giant of the imperial era

Visitor center, boat pier, restaurants and the aqua park make the dam at Edersee and its forecourt into a lively starting point.

to the water level Edersee Atlantis

Eder Dam & Aqua Park

If you are in the region Edersee If you're on the move, there's no way around the Eder Dam. The 400-meter-long wall was built between 1908 and 1914 and still secures the water supply and flood protection in northern Hesse. After being bombed during World War II, it was fully operational again the same year.

In the evening, it becomes a stage: As the world's longest structure with a permanent color change, the illuminated wall is a real highlight. Right next to it, you will find the Aquapark – a playground that Edersee at a scale of 1:200, with a water wheel, suspension bridge, and more. Open free of charge from Easter to October, it's perfect for kids who want to let off steam.

To the dam webcam

Important information about the dam:

The Eder Dam is currently undergoing renovations, expected to continue until the end of 2027. Scaffolding and construction work may cause temporary disruptions. optical limitations in the area of the dam. The footpath across the dam remains open.

© Katharina Jäger

Public dam tour

During the leisurely tour of the 400 m long dam, our guides will provide you with exciting and interesting background information about the construction of the Eder Dam, the creation of the Edersees, the bombing in World War II and the national park with UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For holders of the MeineCard guest card Edersee+ Participation is free of charge, prior registration by telephone is mandatory.

When: June to September every Wednesday and Saturday

Time: Wednesdays 16:00 p.m. / Saturdays 11:30 a.m
Duration: 15 minutes.
Treffpunkt: In front of the visitor center Edersee
Cost: 4,00 € per person (children up to 7 years free)

Tip: Combined ticket - Dam tour + Myth Edersee
Duration: approx. 60 minutes + approx. 30 minutes of myth Edersee
Combined ticket: 8,50 € per person / 7,00 € per child (7-17), children up to 7 years free

Please note:
Unfortunately, a guide internally the dam not possible.
Prior online booking is mandatory.

For Group Visits we plan a individual dam wall routing.

A journey back in time.

From the construction to the bombing in the Second World War to the world record - the Eder Dam has an impressive history.

Atlantis Village — © Picture collection König, Ederbringhausen

The mill owner, Cornelius, sold the Stollmühle mill to the Prussian state for approximately 70.000 Reichsmarks. This was the first building to sink into the lake, having previously burned down. The villages of Asel, Berich, and Bringhausen also had to be rebuilt on higher ground.

The construction site is ready and around 900 workers have started work. First, work began on the abutments.

The dam is growing at a rapid pace. 200 bricklayers and 100 helpers complete around 700 m³ of masonry per day. In total, 1912 m³ of the 300.000 m³ of masonry required had already been manufactured in 125.000.

The sandstone parapet is being built and at the same time the damming of the lake has begun. In February 1914 the traffic jam had already reached the Stollmühle.

On August 28, 1914, the dam was to be inaugurated and presented to Kaiser Wilhelm II. However, the celebration had to be postponed due to the start of the First World War.

On 17.05.1943, a bomb from a Lancaster of 617 Squadron hit the dam at 01:51 on EderseeThis attack triggered catastrophic flooding of the Eder Valley, resulting in countless deaths. The bomb blasted a 70-meter-long and 22-meter-deep hole in the dam wall, through which approximately 96 million cubic meters of water leaked out in the first eight hours after the bombing alone. Only on the third day after the bombing did the water stop flowing through the breach.

The reconstruction took around 9 months and was carried out by prisoners of war and forced laborers. By September 1943, the gap in the wall was completely closed again.

New static findings had shown that the stability of the dam wall was no longer guaranteed in the event of extreme flooding. Therefore, 108 anchors were attached to the rocky subsoil. In addition, safety measures were carried out on the base drain pipes, the central drains were made functional again and the stilling basin was expanded to allow extreme floods to drain away.

The dam still holds the world record as the "longest permanently color-changing illuminated structure." In 2014, to mark its 100th anniversary, 39 LED spotlights were installed in the upper outlets. Every evening, after dark, you can marvel at the stunning play of colors.

This year the dam overflowed twice due to the heavy rains and extreme amounts of snow in winter, which is so rare that it was a huge spectacle.

fact series

As "Longest building permanently illuminated with color changes« the barrier wall in Hesse is holding Edersee currently holds the record. In 2014, for the 100th anniversary, 39 LED spotlights were installed in the upper outlets. Every evening, after dark, you can marvel at the stunning play of colors.

the dam wall is high

Sole length

sole width

Crown length

is the Edersee at the lowest point

is the Edersee later

Crown width

Cubic meters of storage space

About the cover photo:

Ulf Maurer

is an ambitious hobby photographer. On his Instagram page @dxuli he shows with beautiful pictures how colorful and happy our region and the entire world can be.

In the morning at the Edersee It's indescribable to arrive: the fog lifts over the water and the sun reflects off the surface. Such fantastic light. Photographers love these moments!

by Ulf Maurer

What there is to discover at the dam:

One of the most impressive and largest buildings in Germany!

Stephan Daude from Edertal has been the dam keeper for 30 years. The 48 m high wall on its north side, where the overflows are, is particularly impressive. He goes down the approximately 200 steps several times a day. Heavy steel doors lead to the interior inspection corridor, which is reminiscent of a mining tunnel. The walls are rugged and angular. It's a constant 9°C, the ground is damp and it's dripping a little. It's normal for a little water to get through a stone wall, says Stephan. “There is no such thing as absolutely waterproof mortar. But that's nothing that should worry you, there is a drainage system and pumps, but they don't do much." The passage is about 40 meters below the water surface, i.e. in the middle of the lake. This is a gravity wall that can withstand the water pressure through its weight alone. It is not important how long the lake is, but rather how deep the water column in front of the wall is.

40 meters below the water's surface, the wall is 36 meters thick. Behind it lie 200 million cubic meters of water.

by Stephan Daude, dam keeper