Edersee Reservoir

Address: Edersee reservoir, near Waldeck-Frankenberg, Hesse, Germany

Website: https://www.edersee.com/

Hours: Open year-round (facilities hours vary seasonally)

Admission: Day tickets for boating or reservoir facilities vary; lake access itself is free

Edersee is a large reservoir in Hesse, Germany, formed by the Edersee Dam on the Eder River; the dam was completed in 1914 and the reservoir is a major regional water and recreation resource.

Recreational opportunities include boating, hiking and viewpoint visits, with Schloss Waldeck providing a prominent hilltop outlook over the lake and dam. The shoreline and surrounding forested hills host promenades, viewpoints and trails used by day visitors and holiday-makers.

The dam was built in the early 20th century and famously breached by the Royal Air Force’s 617 Squadron during Operation Chastise in May 1943; the breach caused severe downstream flooding and the structure was repaired and the reservoir restored during the war period.

Situated in northern Hesse near the towns of Waldeck and Hemfurth-Edersee, the reservoir occupies a valley of the Eder River and is accessible from regional roads and visitor facilities in the area.

• WWII breach and repair: The dam was completed in 1914 and was breached by the RAF’s 617 Squadron during Operation Chastise in May 1943; repairs returned the reservoir to operation within the wartime period.
• Submerged villages visible at low water: Seasonal low water can expose submerged foundations and cause former shoreline villages to become visible, attracting visitors and photographers.

What to See#

• Edersee Dam: The Edersee Dam (Edertalsperre) forms the western end of the reservoir; originally completed before World War I, it was breached in May 1943 and subsequently repaired.
• Schloss Waldeck: Schloss Waldeck sits on a steep hill above the reservoir and provides panoramic views over the lake and dam, serving as a principal viewpoint for visitors.

Edersee is about 50-70 minutes by car from Kassel. Regional trains and buses serve towns on the lake’s edge (Waldeck, Herzhausen); once there, local shuttle buses and rental boats provide lakeside access.

• Rent a boat to explore coves and see the submerged village silhouette near the dam on calm mornings
• Visit the dam on foot for engineering views; the dam is impressive in length and scale
• Summer weekends are busy with local holidaymakers - midweek mornings are quieter