Rhein Water for New Lakes: Pipeline Construction Begins - Germany's abandoned coal mines will become a sprawling lake district by 2100

Germany's Rhineland lignite mining district is set to transform into a vast lake district by the end of the century. The ambitious project will repurpose former open-pit mines into new lakes, supporting nature, tourism and local recreation. However, environmental groups have raised concerns about the ecological impact of extracting water from the Rhine.

The plan involves flooding three major mining sites—Hambach, Garzweiler and Inden—once operations cease. Inden and Hambach mines will close by 2029, while Garzweiler will shut no later than 2033 as part of Germany's coal phaseout. Water from the Rhine will fill the pits, transported via a 10,000-section underground pipeline made of steel pipes measuring up to 7.2 feet in diameter.

Construction of the pipeline, due for completion by 2030, includes an intake facility on the Rhine, a pumping station and a distribution hub. Hambach mine will receive water first, followed by Garzweiler from 2036 and Inden from 2030 using water from the Rur River. The filling process is expected to take until 2070 for Hambach and Garzweiler, with Inden requiring an additional 25 to 30 years.

The new lakes—Inden Lake, Garzweiler Lake and Hambach Lake—will create habitats for wildlife, boost biodiversity and provide spaces for leisure and tourism. This follows a similar project in Saxony-Anhalt, where the Geiseltalsee, a former brown coal mine, was flooded in 2011 to form an 18.4 km² lake.

Yet, the BUND NRW environmental group has questioned whether such large-scale water extraction from the Rhine can be done without harming local ecosystems.

The Rhineland Lake District will emerge as one of Germany's largest artificial water landscapes. Once complete, the former mining region will offer new opportunities for conservation, recreation and economic growth. The project's long-term success, however, depends on balancing water use with environmental protection.