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Simulation · Minimal Water · Dams and reservoirs

Rappbode Dam · Harz – a reservoir in a deep valley

The highest dam wall in Germany as a model: a drinking-water reservoir in the Harz, a works at Wienrode, long-distance pipelines to the lowlands and seven small villages in the narrow valleys of the Bode and Rappbode.

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Real are location, terrain and buildings (OpenStreetMap, heights from SRTM and EU-DEM); the dam wall comes from the outline in OpenStreetMap. The pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified. It is not an operations control and not a planning tool. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.

Behind Germany's highest dam wall (106 metres) lies its largest drinking-water reservoir; Harz rainwater is treated at Wienrode and travels through pipelines over 97 kilometres to Halle, for about a million people. In the model the water flows from the works at Wienrode to the service reservoir on the plateau near Hüttenrode, at 495 metres, and from there into the deep valleys of the Bode and Rappbode. Seven small villages hang on it, from Rübeland to Treseburg; the wastewater goes through the sewer to the sewage plant.

Three controls move the whole landscape: rain, heat and consumption, plus the weather situations normal year, hot summer, drought and heavy rain. In a drought the reservoir drops, the great forest of the Harz dies in patches and burns; in heavy rain the streams in the narrow valleys rise. You see what happens to a drinking-water reservoir in a drought and why a forest takes decades to grow back.

Real are location, terrain and buildings; the dam wall stands for the depiction. The pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified; quantities and processes are model assumptions. The page is for schools and universities, exhibitions, municipalities and water supply.

The path of water

  1. 01

    rain in the Harz fills the reservoir

  2. 02

    the water is treated at Wienrode

  3. 03

    long-distance mains supply towns far beyond the Harz

  4. 04

    the pumping station lifts it to the Hüttenrode reservoir

  5. 05

    down to Rübeland, Neuwerk, Wendefurth, Altenbrak and Treseburg

  6. 06

    through the sewer to the treatment plant

Water shapes the land

01

Water shapes the land

Rappbode Dam · Harz: Behind Germany's highest dam wall lies its largest drinking-water reservoir; the water is treated at Wienrode and flows into the deep valleys of the Bode and Rappbode.

The path of water

02

The path of water

Glowing pipes – the path of the water as one continuous line, the waves run with the speed and direction of the flow.

What is shown – why – for whom

What is shown Why For whom
Dam wall and lake in the Harz WhyShows how a drinking-water reservoir drops in a drought. For whomteaching, exhibition
Wienrode waterworks WhyShows where the water is treated; treatment is simplified. For whomteaching, water supply
Long-distance pipelines to the lowlands WhyShows that the water supplies towns far beyond the Harz. For whomteaching, exhibition
Hüttenrode service reservoir on the plateau, at 495 m WhyShows how the water flows from above into the deep valleys. For whomteaching, municipalities
Rübeland, Hüttenrode, Wienrode, Neuwerk, Wendefurth, Altenbrak and Treseburg WhyShows seven small villages at different heights; in Hüttenrode the pressure is lowest. For whommunicipalities, teaching
Sewer and sewage plant WhyShows where the wastewater goes and when the plant overflows in a storm. For whommunicipalities, civil protection
Three controls and four weather situations WhyShows connections in the model, not a statement about reality. For whomteaching, education
The city from within

03

The city from within

Wastewater – From the house through the sewer to the plant.

When things get tight

04

When things get tight

Forest fire – in drought and great heat a glowing front eats through the forest, rain puts it out.

Films from the model

  • Above Rappbode Dam · Harz

    A flight across the area: low angles with sky, the reservoir lies deep in the Harz forest behind the wall, then over the town to the long shot – with the sound of the landscape.

  • The path of water

    From the source via the works and the storage into the town, through the sewer and back into the river: station by station, the pipes glowing.

  • The city opens up

    Beneath the streets: first the pipes, then the open cross-section, wastewater, rainwater in heavy rain, greywater – and everything together.

  • A water year

    A normal year, then heat and drought: fields wither, river and lake sink, the forest burns – then heavy rain, thunderstorm and flood. The landscape answers in real time.

  • Pipe burst and flood

    First a main bursts: the spot pulses red, a crew drives out, the storage carries the town. Then heavy rain: the water rises by elevation into floodplain and districts.

  • Using the software

    With the full interface: tap weather situations, pull levers, look at stations on the wheel and consequences – every effect shows at once on the map.

Facilities and landscape in the model

  • Wienrode waterworks

    Water from the Rappbode reservoir is treated here. Through long-distance mains it supplies towns far beyond the Harz, out on the plain.

  • Hüttenrode reservoir

    Storage on the plateau near Hüttenrode (about 495 m) – from here water flows down into the deep valleys of the Bode and Rappbode.

  • Dam wall and reservoir

    The reservoir stores water. In dry times it releases water so the river does not run dry.

  • Rübeland

    Village in the narrow Bode valley, known for its stalactite caves.

  • Hüttenrode

    Village on the plateau – only just below the reservoir, so pressure here is lowest.

  • Wienrode

    Village on the edge of the Harz next to the waterworks.

  • Neuwerk

    Small village above the Rappbode.

  • Wendefurth

    Below the dam wall, at the Wendefurth pre-dam.

  • Altenbrak

    Holiday village deep in the Bode valley.

  • Treseburg

    Where the Luppbode joins the Bode.

  • Treatment plant

    The treatment plant cleans the waste water and returns it to the river. In a storm it overflows.

Thunderstorm

05

Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm – lightning in view, the cloud lights up from within around the strike, the cover tears open along the line of sight.

Flood by contour lines

06

Flood by contour lines

Flood by contour lines – the floodplain and low-lying districts fill up bit by bit, with a dirty rim of foam.

Processes in the model

The path of water

  1. 01rain in the Harz fills the reservoir
  2. 02the water is treated at Wienrode
  3. 03long-distance mains supply towns far beyond the Harz
  4. 04the pumping station lifts it to the Hüttenrode reservoir
  5. 05down to Rübeland, Neuwerk, Wendefurth, Altenbrak and Treseburg
  6. 06through the sewer to the treatment plant

Heat and drought

  1. 01no rain and great heat
  2. 02the soil dries out, the river narrows
  3. 03the fields wither first
  4. 04the forest dies and burns, rain puts it out
  5. 05the lake sinks and dries out from the shore
  6. 06water runs short in the town, the storage empties
  7. 07rain brings soil, river and harvest back quickly; dead forest takes far longer

Heavy rain and flood

  1. 01the soil soaks up all it can
  2. 02what it cannot hold rushes into streams and the river
  3. 03the floodplain and low-lying districts fill by contour line
  4. 04sewers and treatment plant reach their limit
  5. 05after the rain the water falls again

Pipe burst

  1. 01a pipe bursts, water escapes
  2. 02a crew drives out from the depot
  3. 03the section is shut off
  4. 04the storage carries the town
  5. 05after the repair the pipe goes back into service

What the model can be used for

  • A drinking-water reservoir in the mountains

    Rain in the Harz fills the dam, the water is treated at Wienrode, and long-distance pipelines carry it far into the lowlands. You see the whole path in one picture.

    For whomwater supply, schools, universities

  • Long-distance pipeline and local network

    Long-distance pipelines lead out of the Harz, while the Hüttenrode service reservoir supplies the villages in the valley. The model shows both paths side by side.

    For whomwater supply, universities, training

  • Playing through drought and forest fire

    The reservoir drops from the shore, the forest dies in patches, heavy rain sends the streams through narrow valleys. You see where it gets tight first.

    For whomcivil protection, municipalities, education

  • Museum and exhibition

    A wall of 106 metres, a valley and seven villages: the model makes visible how much water lies behind a wall and where it goes.

    For whommuseums, exhibitions, visitor centres

The course

07

The course

The course – the reservoir lies deep in the Harz forest behind the wall; waves and foam move with the current in real time.

The whole software

08

The whole software

Hot summer with one tap – the levers visibly move there, the camera follows the effect, below a sentence explains what is happening.

What you can change

Controls

  • Rain: From drought to storm: rain fills soil, groundwater and river; little rain lets everything dry out, a lot of it lets it overflow.
  • Heat: Up to four degrees more: more evaporates from lakes, fields and trees, and everyone needs more water.
  • Consumption: From frugal to wasteful: wasteful speeds up the shortage, frugal delays it.
  • Weather situations: Normal year, Hot summer, Drought, Heavy rain: One tap sets all three levers, they visibly move there, and the view goes to where the effect shows.

Disruptions

  • Water shortage: Water is running short in town: the first homes are without water – people are moving away.
  • Failed harvest: The fields are withering – the harvest fails, food becomes scarce and expensive.
  • Fish die-off: The river is shallow and warm, oxygen is running out – the fish are dying.
  • Flood: Flood! The river bursts its banks, the sewers overflow – untreated water flows into the river.
  • Health: Without enough clean water, health suffers: heat, poor hygiene, disease. Ambulances are on their way.
  • Forest fire: The dry forest is burning. Fire crews are on their way – but without water there is nothing to fight it with.
  • Tree dieback: The trees are dying. It takes decades for a forest to grow back.
  • Lake almost empty: The reservoir is almost empty. It supported the river – now the water for dry times is missing.
  • Pipe burst: Pipe bursts hit lines, never a single building; the storage carries the town until the crew has repaired the section.
  • The extreme: Everything is parched: no water, no harvest, no trees, no animals. Life is no longer possible here.

What the model brings

  • 01

    The real mountain valley as a stage

    Wall, lake and villages stand on terrain from OpenStreetMap and elevation data. You show the Harz as it lies, not as a diagram.

  • 02

    From rain to the long-distance pipeline

    Dam, works, pipeline, service reservoir and villages can be shown one by one. You understand the path before you change anything.

  • 03

    Situations without damage

    Drought, forest fire, heavy rain, pipe burst: you see where it gets tight first, and set it back. A pipe burst hits a pipe, never a single building.

  • 04

    In the browser, with one tap

    The model runs in the browser. One tap sets rain, heat and consumption together to a weather situation.

  • Rappbode Dam · Harz: Behind Germany's highest dam wall lies its largest drinking-water reservoir; the water is treated at Wienrode and flows into the deep valleys of the Bode and Rappbode.
    Rappbode Dam · Harz: Behind Germany's highest dam wall lies its largest drinking-water reservoir; the water is treated at Wienrode and flows into the deep valleys of the Bode and Rappbode.
  • Rappbode Dam · Harz in the evening – low sun, long shadows, the water mirrors the sky.
    Rappbode Dam · Harz in the evening – low sun, long shadows, the water mirrors the sky.
  • Morning at the Rappbode Dam – haze over the land, terrain and buildings come from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
    Morning at the Rappbode Dam – haze over the land, terrain and buildings come from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
  • The course – the reservoir lies deep in the Harz forest behind the wall; waves and foam move with the current in real time.
    The course – the reservoir lies deep in the Harz forest behind the wall; waves and foam move with the current in real time.
  • Far across the land – forest, fields and settlements hang on the same water.
    Far across the land – forest, fields and settlements hang on the same water.
  • The lake as storage – it holds water for dry times; in the model its level sinks when the rain stays away.
    The lake as storage – it holds water for dry times; in the model its level sinks when the rain stays away.
  • The lake backs up behind the wall – in the valley below runs only what the dam releases.
    The lake backs up behind the wall – in the valley below runs only what the dam releases.
  • Rübeland from outside – every house a block, warm in the evening light.
    Rübeland from outside – every house a block, warm in the evening light.
  • Dusk at the Rappbode Dam – the houses grow darker, the last glow lies over the land.
    Dusk at the Rappbode Dam – the houses grow darker, the last glow lies over the land.
  • Forest – deciduous trees with trunk and crown, conifers in stands; here the cycle begins with the rain that stays in the soil.
    Forest – deciduous trees with trunk and crown, conifers in stands; here the cycle begins with the rain that stays in the soil.
  • Fields and meadows – the rows grow with the harvest and wither in the drought; the soil is a sponge.
    Fields and meadows – the rows grow with the harvest and wither in the drought; the soil is a sponge.
  • Rappbode Dam · Harz from above at an angle – the whole area as a model of blocks, with the network at its centre.
    Rappbode Dam · Harz from above at an angle – the whole area as a model of blocks, with the network at its centre.
  • The source – the water comes from the reservoir; its way into town starts in front of the wall.
    The source – the water comes from the reservoir; its way into town starts in front of the wall.
  • Wienrode waterworks – Water from the Rappbode reservoir is treated here. Through long-distance mains it supplies towns far beyond the Harz, out on the plain.
    Wienrode waterworks – Water from the Rappbode reservoir is treated here. Through long-distance mains it supplies towns far beyond the Harz, out on the plain.
  • Hüttenrode reservoir – Storage on the plateau near Hüttenrode (about 495 m) – from here water flows down into the deep valleys of the Bode and Rappbode.
    Hüttenrode reservoir – Storage on the plateau near Hüttenrode (about 495 m) – from here water flows down into the deep valleys of the Bode and Rappbode.
  • Glowing pipes – the path of the water as one continuous line, the waves run with the speed and direction of the flow.
    Glowing pipes – the path of the water as one continuous line, the waves run with the speed and direction of the flow.
  • Rübeland – Village in the narrow Bode valley, known for its stalactite caves.
    Rübeland – Village in the narrow Bode valley, known for its stalactite caves.
  • Hüttenrode – Village on the plateau – only just below the reservoir, so pressure here is lowest.
    Hüttenrode – Village on the plateau – only just below the reservoir, so pressure here is lowest.
  • The treatment plant cleans the waste water and returns it to the river. In a storm it overflows.
    The treatment plant cleans the waste water and returns it to the river. In a storm it overflows.
  • Back in the river – what has been cleaned flows back in; downstream the cycle starts again.
    Back in the river – what has been cleaned flows back in; downstream the cycle starts again.
  • The city from within – pipes and connections: width by flow, light runs from the reservoir to the houses.
    The city from within – pipes and connections: width by flow, light runs from the reservoir to the houses.
  • Cross-section – the ground opens up, pipes lie exposed beneath the streets.
    Cross-section – the ground opens up, pipes lie exposed beneath the streets.
  • Wastewater – From the house through the sewer to the plant.
    Wastewater – From the house through the sewer to the plant.
  • Rainwater – sealed surfaces drain off: what does not soak away runs over streets and through sewers.
    Rainwater – sealed surfaces drain off: what does not soak away runs over streets and through sewers.
  • All at a glance – drinking water and sewer together: what flows into the houses runs out again below.
    All at a glance – drinking water and sewer together: what flows into the houses runs out again below.
  • The sewer ends at the treatment plant – in a normal year it cleans everything, in a storm it overflows.
    The sewer ends at the treatment plant – in a normal year it cleans everything, in a storm it overflows.
  • Hot summer – little rain, more evaporation: the soil dries out, people need more, the town’s storage sinks.
    Hot summer – little rain, more evaporation: the soil dries out, people need more, the town’s storage sinks.
  • Drought – the fields wither first: green turns to straw, the rows wilt, the harvest fails.
    Drought – the fields wither first: green turns to straw, the rows wilt, the harvest fails.
  • Low water – the river carries very little, grows narrow and warm; oxygen runs short and the fish die.
    Low water – the river carries very little, grows narrow and warm; oxygen runs short and the fish die.
  • Forest fire – in drought and great heat a glowing front eats through the forest, rain puts it out.
    Forest fire – in drought and great heat a glowing front eats through the forest, rain puts it out.
  • Smoke over the land – the fires carry dark columns, lit from within, visible from afar.
    Smoke over the land – the fires carry dark columns, lit from within, visible from afar.
  • The lake sinks – it has supported the river, the bed dries out from the shore; now the water for dry times is missing.
    The lake sinks – it has supported the river, the bed dries out from the shore; now the water for dry times is missing.
  • What remains – fields and town recover quickly, dead and burnt forest stays visible for a long time.
    What remains – fields and town recover quickly, dead and burnt forest stays visible for a long time.
  • Heavy rain – it grows dark, dense rain sweeps over the land, the soils soak up all they can.
    Heavy rain – it grows dark, dense rain sweeps over the land, the soils soak up all they can.
  • Thunderstorm – lightning in view, the cloud lights up from within around the strike, the cover tears open along the line of sight.
    Thunderstorm – lightning in view, the cloud lights up from within around the strike, the cover tears open along the line of sight.
  • Flood by contour lines – the floodplain and low-lying districts fill up bit by bit, with a dirty rim of foam.
    Flood by contour lines – the floodplain and low-lying districts fill up bit by bit, with a dirty rim of foam.
  • Pipe burst – the line pulses red, water escapes; a crew is called out.
    Pipe burst – the line pulses red, water escapes; a crew is called out.
  • Shut off – a crew drives out, the section stands still, the storage carries the town until the repair is done.
    Shut off – a crew drives out, the section stands still, the storage carries the town until the repair is done.
  • The districts by name – above the map stand the quarters, at the top water in the city, storage and the five consequences.
    The districts by name – above the map stand the quarters, at the top water in the city, storage and the five consequences.
  • Rübeland and the neighbouring districts – each name shows with a bar how well the district is supplied.
    Rübeland and the neighbouring districts – each name shows with a bar how well the district is supplied.
  • Signs on the map – when a consequence turns critical, its sign stands where it happens: fields wither, forest dies, no water.
    Signs on the map – when a consequence turns critical, its sign stands where it happens: fields wither, forest dies, no water.
  • Flood in figures – safety and harvest fall, the sign by the river stands over the spot that fills first.
    Flood in figures – safety and harvest fall, the sign by the river stands over the spot that fills first.
  • Treatment plant and inflow – on the sewer it says how much is arriving and whether it overflows.
    Treatment plant and inflow – on the sewer it says how much is arriving and whether it overflows.
  • The whole software – at the top water in the city and five consequences, on the right the wheel of the cycle, below four weather situations and three levers.
    The whole software – at the top water in the city and five consequences, on the right the wheel of the cycle, below four weather situations and three levers.
  • Hot summer with one tap – the levers visibly move there, the camera follows the effect, below a sentence explains what is happening.
    Hot summer with one tap – the levers visibly move there, the camera follows the effect, below a sentence explains what is happening.
  • One lever, visible at once – consumption set to wasteful: the town needs more, the storage sinks, an arrow at the top shows the direction.
    One lever, visible at once – consumption set to wasteful: the town needs more, the storage sinks, an arrow at the top shows the direction.
  • The wheel explains – station River tapped: The river lives on groundwater and rain. In a drought it becomes narrow and warm.
    The wheel explains – station River tapped: The river lives on groundwater and rain. In a drought it becomes narrow and warm.
  • Tap a consequence – Nature: the bar at the top explains what water means for people and nature.
    Tap a consequence – Nature: the bar at the top explains what water means for people and nature.
  • Drought in the interface – the consequences turn red, signs stand on the map, the subtitle says what comes next.
    Drought in the interface – the consequences turn red, signs stand on the map, the subtitle says what comes next.
  • Heavy rain in the interface – soil and river on the wheel rise, the flood sign stands by the river, safety falls.
    Heavy rain in the interface – soil and river on the wheel rise, the flood sign stands by the river, safety falls.
  • Twelve water landscapes – confluences, dams and large lakes across Germany, each in its real place.
    Twelve water landscapes – confluences, dams and large lakes across Germany, each in its real place.
  • The introduction – four cards say what it is about and how to use it.
    The introduction – four cards say what it is about and how to use it.

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Minimal Water: Rappbodetalsperre · Harz – Stausee im tiefen Tal

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Basis and limits

Terrain and buildings: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), elevation: Mapzen/Tilezen Terrain Tiles (SRTM, EU-DEM). Facility locations follow OpenStreetMap and public utility information; pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified. Simplified educational model – not a real control system and not a planning tool.

Public sources the model is based on:

  • Terrain and buildings: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
  • Elevation: Mapzen/Tilezen Terrain Tiles (SRTM, EU-DEM)

More areas in the model

← Minimal Water

Real are location, terrain and buildings (OpenStreetMap, heights from SRTM and EU-DEM); the dam wall comes from the outline in OpenStreetMap. The pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified. It is not an operations control and not a planning tool. With your data, the model…