Renovation at Knappensee lasts until 2030

The remediation of the Knappensee lake south of Hoyerswerda is due to be completed in 2030. This was announced by the Saxon Mining Authority on request. It was originally scheduled for completion in 2022. In the meantime, around 90 percent of the banks of the once uncontrolled flooded open-cast mine have been secured.

The lake has been completely closed since 2014. The project has been significantly delayed due to a landslide on the eastern shore. In March 2021, around one million tons of soil fell into the water over a width of around 300 meters. They triggered a high wave that hit the opposite bank so hard that even buildings were destroyed.

Lake Knappensee as the "bathtub of Hoyerswerda"

An exhibition opens this Sunday (July 6) at the Hoyerswerda Castle Museum, which also provides information on the current status of the restoration of Lake Knappensee. The exhibition entitled "Bathing in Memories" (until September 27) highlights the history of the first recreational area in the Lusatian lignite mining region, says museum director Kerstin Noack.

The lake was created from an open-cast mine where lignite was mined until 1945. After flooding, the pit developed into the "Hoyerswerda bathtub". The announcement that the lake would remain closed for much longer than planned provided the impetus for the exhibition.

According to the Upper Mining Authority, embankments at Knappensee are currently being reinforced in Lohsa between the districts of Koblenz and Groß Särchen.

This work is to be completed in the next few weeks using so-called vibro-compaction. After that, work will begin on securing the landslide basin, which must be completely backfilled.

In the meantime, the restricted area on the west bank has been reduced in size again and the fence has been moved to the shore, it was reported. The cycle path between Maukendorf and Groß Särchen has also been restored and reopened.

The Lausitzer und Mitteldeutsche Bergbau-Verwaltungsgesellschaft (LMBV) is participating in the exhibition in Hoyerswerda with, among other things, a film about the remediation work to date.

Swimming utensils, a folding boat and souvenirs from the Knappensee, which come from a private collection, are also on display.