WatersideWalks: Auerhahn cascade of ponds

These six ponds appear to have been punched out of the forest.  They were built around 1680 to provide water for the numerous mines near Bockswiese. Together, they hold about 500.000 m³ ( ~ 132086026 US liq.gal) of water.This scenic hike leads from the “Auerhahn“ pond to the “Gumbacher“ ponds and the “Flößteiche“ near Bockswiese.

Upper Harz Water Management System | UNESCO-World Heritage Site in the Harz Mountains:

The Upper Harz water management system is a system of ponds, ditches and watercourses that is over 800 years old and with the help of which hydropower has been used for mining. It is one of the largest pre-industrial energy supply systems in the world and has therefore been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.