Lake Diemel / Diemel River

Lake Diemel is located right on the border between Hesse and North Rhone Westphalia and forms the  focal point of the Lake Diemel Nature Preserve. Here, vacationers may combine water sports, proximity to nature, hiking and health in one stay full of harmony.   

The lake, 4 km in length and up to 1 km wide, serves to regulate water levels on the Weser River and the Midland Canal (Mittellandkanal). The dam was build as a gravity-reinforced wall between 1912 and 1923. It has a curved footprint, is 42 m in height and measures 194 m along the crown and 7 m across, while the bottom width is 31 m. The maximum amount of water inside Lake Diemel at full capacity is 20.5 million cubic meters with an area of 1.65 km2.

The Diemel River originates at the foot of “Hohen Pöns“ in the Waldeck Upland south of Usseln at 690 m above sea level. Deeply carved valley and steep slopes, fully-timbered almost to the top, characterize the scenery in the upper part of the river bed. At Lake Diemel, the river leaves the county area as the dam itself is already on Westphalia territory. Beyond the county limits, the river encounters a broad plateau of expansive and rich agricultural farm lands. Near Wrexen, the river once again crosses through Waldecker Land for a brief period and, as it has grown to quite a river by now, continues its rather long journey toward the Weser River through Warburg.