Sorpe Dam Langscheid

The Ruhr Dam Association (RTV), founded in 1899, ensured water flow for the Ruhr region by supporting dam construction in Sauerland, starting with the Möhne Dam in 1912.

Increasing demand and the 1920/21 drought led to the Sorpe Dam project. By 1926–1935, it was Europe’s largest construction site, with steam locomotives transporting 300,000+ tons of materials.

Built with a core seal, the dam had a 3.4 million m³ volume, a 700-meter crest, and stood 69 meters high. Capacity expanded in the 1950s–60s, reaching 70 million m³ through bypass systems.

The Sorpesee Dam was targeted along with the Möhne and Eder Dams by British bombers, but withstood the attack. A second raid in 1944 caused minor damage.

Post-war inspections found bomb-induced pipe ruptures, requiring repairs. Full restoration was delayed until 1959, when unexploded bombs were defused, including a 3.6-meter-long Tallboy with 2.5 tons of explosives.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Willem Visser