Viewfinder: A Former Coal Mine Is Flooded to Create an Artificial Lake

Pacific Standard Staff
April 25, 2019
A couple watches as water gushes from a pipe into the former Cottbus Nord open-cast coal mine in order to create the Cottbuser Ostsee artificial lake on April 24th, 2019, near Cottbus, Germany.
A couple watches as water gushes from a pipe into the former Cottbus Nord open-cast coal mine in order to create the Cottbuser Ostsee artificial lake on April 24th, 2019, near Cottbus, Germany. In the background, steam and exhaust rise from the Jaenschwalde power plant. The mine operated from 1975 until 2015 and fed coal to the Jaenschwalde plant. The former mine is now being flooded in its entirety to create a lake of 19 square kilometers for recreational use that local government planners hope will become a tourist destination and provide jobs. The flooding will take several years. The new Cottbuser Ostsee will be one of many artificial lakes in the region, some of which are already in use, that have been created from former coal mines.

Viewfinder is Pacific Standard’s daily photo feature, showcasing one image from the news.

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