Lusatian lakes transform former coal mines

April 15, 2026

Eastern Germany’s ambitious transformation of former coal mines into a vast artificial lake district is reaching a major milestone in 2026. What was once a scarred mining landscape is now becoming one of Europe’s most impressive water tourism destinations.

Final lake sedlitz set to open in 2026

The long-running project to convert disused lignite mines into lakes is nearing completion with the opening of Lake Sedlitz, the final addition to the Lusatian Lakeland. Covering approximately 14,000 hectares, this man-made lake region is approaching the size of Italy’s famous Lake Como.

Lake Sedlitz, spanning around 1,400 hectares, will officially open for swimming and boating in late April, becoming the largest recreational lake in the region.

Germany’s expanding network of natural and artificial lakes

Germany is already home to more than 12,000 natural lakes, according to environmental authorities. In addition, hundreds of artificial lakes have been created from former mining sites. As early as 2003, there were 575 flooded lignite pits, and this number continues to grow as coal mining areas are reclaimed.

Most of these artificial lakes are located in:

• Brandenburg

• Saxony

• Saxony-Anhalt

• North Rhine-Westphalia

However, none match the scale and vision of the Lusatian Lakeland project.

From coal mines to Europe’s largest artificial water landscape

During the era of the German Democratic Republic, more than two billion tonnes of lignite were extracted in Lusatia, leaving behind massive open pits over 60 meters deep.

The transformation began in 1967 with the creation of Lake Senftenberg. Today, the region has evolved into Europe’s largest man-made lake district, complete with marinas, canals, beaches, and campsites.

Interestingly, Lusatia naturally lacked lakes due to its sandy, porous terrain. The name “Lusatia” itself originates from a West Slavic word meaning “marshland.”

Scale and infrastructure of the Lusatian lakeland

The Lusatian Lakeland currently includes:

• 23 artificial lakes

• 14,000 hectares of water surface

• Plans for 10 interconnected lakes via canals

• A future navigable area of 7,000 hectares

So far:

• 4 canals are completed

• 6 additional canals are under construction

The project is managed by the Lausitz and Central German Mining Administration Company (LMBV), which has been overseeing mine rehabilitation since the 1990s.

Cost of transforming coal mines into lakes

The environmental restoration of Lusatia has required significant investment:

• €7 billion spent in Lusatia alone

• €13.8 billion total across Germany’s mining regions

• Each lake costs between €200–€600 million to develop

Funding is shared:

• 75% federal government

• 25% regional states

An additional €4.8 billion is expected to be needed over the next 25 years.

Engineering challenges behind the project

Transforming mining pits into safe, sustainable lakes involves complex engineering:

• Stabilizing embankments

• Managing mineral-rich groundwater

• Preventing acidic contamination

• Constructing water inflow and outflow systems

Water is pumped from nearby rivers such as the Neisse, Spree, and Schwarze Elster. Without intervention, filling these pits naturally would take up to 100 years.

Nearly as large as lake Como

Once complete, the Lusatian Lakeland will cover 144 square kilometers, making it nearly the same size as Lake Como (146 km²).

Unlike natural lakes, however, this landscape is the result of decades of deliberate engineering and environmental restoration.

Beyond tourism, the lakes also serve as water reservoirs, helping regulate river levels during drought periods.

Lake Sedlitz: the final piece of the puzzle

Lake Sedlitz represents the last major phase of the project. Originally an open-cast mine active from 1938 to 1980, it has undergone decades of restoration work.

Before opening, engineers had to remove submerged debris, including large areas of dead wood. The lake reached its final water level in 2025 and will soon become a key attraction for visitors.

2026 Milestone: five lakes connected by waterways

On June 29, 2026, the region will celebrate a major achievement: five lakes will be connected via navigable canals:

• Lake Senftenberg

• Lake Geierswald

• Lake Partwitz

• Lake Sedlitz

• Lake Großräschen

Together, they will form a continuous water network of around 5,000 hectares, offering approximately 50 kilometers of navigable routes.

 Tourism growth and economic impact

The Lusatian Lakeland is rapidly becoming a popular travel destination:

• Around 800,000 overnight stays recorded in 2025

• Strong growth from international visitors, especially from the Czech Republic

• Over 12% increase in Czech tourism year-on-year

Future goals include reaching 1.5 million overnight stays annually and expanding accommodation, marinas, and passenger boat services.

The project is also creating new jobs in:

• Hospitality

• Tourism services

• Recreation industries

Many former mining workers are benefiting from these opportunities.

A model for post-coal regions across Europe

The transformation of Lusatia is increasingly seen as a blueprint for other former coal regions in Europe.

By combining:

• Environmental restoration

• Sustainable land development

• Tourism-driven economic growth

the region demonstrates how industrial landscapes can be successfully repurposed.

With coal mining expected to end by 2038, additional sites will eventually be flooded, further expanding this unique water landscape.