der  Stausee

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtaʊzeː/

🏞️ What Exactly is a Stausee?

A Stausee (masculine, article: der) refers to an artificially created lake, formed by damming a watercourse, usually a river, with a barrier structure (like a Staumauer - dam wall or Staudamm - embankment dam). In English, this is called a reservoir or man-made lake.

These lakes serve various purposes, such as:

• 🌊 Flood protection (Hochwasserschutz)
• 💧 Drinking water supply (Trinkwasserversorgung)
• 💡 Energy generation (Energiegewinnung - hydropower)
• 🎣 Recreation (Freizeit und Erholung - swimming, fishing, boating)
• 🚢 Making rivers navigable (Schiffbarmachung von Flüssen)

There's only one article, der, for Stausee, so confusion is unlikely. ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with a natural lake (natürlicher See).

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Stausee

The word "Stausee" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der neue Stausee dient der Stromerzeugung.
   (The new reservoir is used for power generation.)
2. Wir machten einen Ausflug zu dem Stausee in den Bergen.
   (We took a trip to the reservoir in the mountains.)
3. Das Wasser des Stausees ist im Sommer angenehm warm.
   (The water of the reservoir is pleasantly warm in summer.)
4. Viele Vögel nisten an den Ufern der Stauseen.
   (Many birds nest on the shores of the reservoirs.)

🗣️ How "Stausee" is Used

The term Stausee is used specifically to describe a lake created by human intervention via a dam or wall. It is clearly distinct from a natürlicher See (natural lake).

• In the context of energy: Often linked to hydroelectric power plants (e.g., "Der Stausee versorgt das Kraftwerk mit Wasser." - The reservoir supplies the power plant with water.).
• In the context of water management: Relevant for drinking water reserves and irrigation (e.g., "Der Pegel des Stausees ist niedrig." - The water level of the reservoir is low.).
• In the context of leisure: As a destination for trips, water sports, etc. (e.g., "Am Wochenende fahren wir zum Stausee." - We're going to the reservoir on the weekend.).
• In the context of nature & environment: Discussions about the ecological impact of dams (e.g., "Der Bau des Stausees hat die Landschaft verändert." - The construction of the reservoir has changed the landscape.).

Related terms include Talsperre (often refers more to the entire structure including the dam, but also used synonymously for the lake) and Speichersee (emphasizes the storage function).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der Damm' (the dam). The dam blocks the water to make the lake. So: der Stau-See (dam-lake). 'Damm' is masculine, helping remember 'der Stausee'.

Meaning Mnemonic: It's a 'See' (lake) created by a 'Stau' (damming/blockage/traffic jam!). A lake caused by damming? Clearly, a Stausee!

↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: Stausee

⚠️ Similar Terms

• Teich: Usually smaller than a lake, often artificial, but not necessarily formed by damming a river. (Pond)
• Weiher: Similar to Teich, often of natural origin or created for fish farming. (Small pond/pool)

😄 A Little Joke

Warum gehen Fische nie in einen Stausee in Urlaub?

Weil sie Angst vor dem Stau haben! 😉

(Why do fish never go on vacation to a reservoir?)
(Because they're afraid of the 'Stau' (dam/traffic jam)!)

✍️ Poem about the Stausee

Wo einst ein Tal, ein Fluss sich wand,
Erhebt sich nun 'ne hohe Wand.
Das Wasser steigt, gestaut mit Macht,
Ein blauer See, bei Tag und Nacht.

Der Stausee ruht, so tief und klar,
Spiegelt den Himmel wunderbar.
Er gibt uns Kraft, hält Flut zurück,
Ein Menschenwerk, ein Meisterstück.

Where once a valley, a river bent,
Now stands a wall, heaven-sent (or rather, man-sent!).
The water rises, dammed with might,
A blue lake shines, by day and night.

The reservoir rests, so deep and clear,
Reflecting the sky, banishing fear.
It gives us power, holds back the flood,
A human feat, understood.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein See, doch nicht von Natur,
Ein Damm hält mich, 'ne feste Spur.
Ich speich're Wasser, groß und breit,
Für Strom, für Trank, für Freizeit.

Was bin ich?

(I am a lake, but not from nature's hand,
A dam contains me, across the land.
I store water, vast and wide,
For power, drink, and leisure time.)

What am I?

Solution: Der Stausee (The reservoir)

🧩 Other Details about Stausee

Word Composition:

The word "Stausee" is a compound noun, composed of:

• stau(en): The verb for damming or stopping the flow of a river.
• See: The noun for lake.

So, literally: a lake created by damming.

Trivia: The largest reservoir in the world by surface area is Lake Volta in Ghana; by volume, it's the Kariba Dam reservoir on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.