Lake Gileppe

The Gileppe Dam is a dam in Belgium near Eupen. The main tributary is the springing in the High Fens same stream. Their original purpose was to regulate the hot water quantities for the textile industry in the valley of the River Weser.

Dam

The original dam was Europe's oldest concrete dam. It was inaugurated by King Leopold II on 28 July 1878. The water absorption capacity of the reservoir at the time was 13 million cubic meters, the area of ​​86 ha

Increase

1953, a 2.5 km long tunnel was dug to supply the dam the water of the thrush that flows naturally in the Hill. From 1968 to 1971, the dam height by more than 10 m (about 47 to 64 or 68 m ) increased and now extended no more than gravity dam, but as a rockfill dam. Its capacity is 26.5 million cubic meters since in an area of ​​130 ha It belongs to a drinking water network with the Wesertalsperre in Eupen.

The Lion

The landmark is a 13.5 m high and 180 tonnes ( other Information: 130 or 300 tons ) of heavy sandstone lion adorns the dam crest and was aligned so that it looks defiantly in the direction of only 5 km from the Prussian border. The exporting artist was Félix Antoine Bouré. The lion is up to 7 is composed of 186 individual t heavy stone blocks.

Tourism

In the 1970s, the province of Liège decided to build an observation tower. The construction lasted because of financial and political problems from 1976 to 1982, then remained the facility for the same reasons unused until 1996. During commissioning of the observation tower, it turned out that most of the view is obscured due to non-adherence tree heights by forests and hills. The operator changed several times since 1997. The operation of the observation tower is located with its Museum and restaurant in the hands of a voluntary association since 2007. Beginning of 2008 was taken on behalf of the Walloon Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a tourism center with museum and presentation room into operation.