High Alpine Reservoirs Kaprun
Mooserboden, Wasserfallboden and the Experience World of Electricity & Ice
At over 2,000 meters above sea level, a unique sight awaits: the two reservoirs Mooserboden and Wasserfallboden with the 107-meter high and 500-meter long Mooser Dam. In the Experience World of Electricity & Ice, you will experience the interplay of glaciers, the construction of the pump power plant in the 1950s, and ecological electricity generation up close. This highlight of Kaprun awaits to be discovered during your holiday at the Hotel Kaprunerhof!
Good to know
- National Park Hohe Tauern
- At over 2,000 meters above sea level
- Spectacular panoramic road & Lärchwand cable car
- Popular excursion destination
- Insights into hydropower and technology
- Hikes and mountain tours
How to reach the high mountain reservoirs in Kaprun?
From the Kesselfall-Alpenhaus, which can be conveniently accessed by car, a bus takes you through the Lärchwand tunnel. The Lärchwand cable car, which is the largest funicular in Europe, takes you into the mountain world of Kaprun. For the final leg to the Mooserboden reservoir, a bus shuttle is once again available. The total travel time to the high mountain reservoirs is about 45 minutes. We are happy to provide you with exact travel times at the reception.
Dam Tour and Experience World Power & Ice
Arriving at over 2,000 meters above sea level, the view opens up in the middle of the impressive high mountain landscape onto the Mooserboden and Wasserfallboden reservoirs. Daily dam wall tours provide exciting insights into the interior of these imposing structures. Also included: a visit to the experience world "Power", where you can learn interesting facts about glaciers, hydropower, and modern energy generation.
Starting Point for Hiking
Furthermore, the high mountain reservoirs of Kaprun are an ideal starting point for hikes in the Kaprun mountain world. From Mooserboden, a pleasant trail leads to the Fürthermoaralm. Following this trail, you will pass by a herb educational path. Other hiking destinations include the Grießkogel or the Rudolfshütte. Rustic hut hosts and chefs in mountain restaurants take care of your physical well-being.
Facts about the construction and the power plant at Mooserboden
- 287,000 tons of cement
- 6,700 tons of steel
- 4,000 people working simultaneously on the construction
- Construction site at 2,000 meters above sea level
- 10% of Austria's electricity comes from Kaprun
- Annually, 150,000 to 200,000 visitors hike to Mooserboden
The Power Plant Construction at Mooserboden
The builders of the Kaprun power plants were celebrated as heroes. The construction provided Austria with electricity and a new sense of self-confidence after the war.
"From work and sacrifice, a creation." This heartfelt inscription is carried by the monument for the men and women who were involved in the construction of the power plants. They were referred to as "the heroes of Kaprun." Their victorious struggle against the forces of nature entered history as the "Myth of Kaprun."
After World War II, chaos prevailed throughout Austria. Kaprun became a symbol of reconstruction across the whole of Austria. It provided the entire country with self-confidence and hope. Up to 120 meters high and up to 70 meters thick at the base are the three massive walls: Limberg, Mooser, and Drossensperre. To learn more about this masterful construction and the myth of Kaprun, please read more here.
"From work and sacrifice, a creation." This heartfelt inscription is carried by the monument for the men and women who were involved in the construction of the power plants. They were referred to as "the heroes of Kaprun." Their victorious struggle against the forces of nature entered history as the "Myth of Kaprun."
After World War II, chaos prevailed throughout Austria. Kaprun became a symbol of reconstruction across the whole of Austria. It provided the entire country with self-confidence and hope. Up to 120 meters high and up to 70 meters thick at the base are the three massive walls: Limberg, Mooser, and Drossensperre. To learn more about this masterful construction and the myth of Kaprun, please read more here.
A Masterpiece with History
Under the most extreme conditions in the high mountains, the power plant was built with tens of thousands of tons of steel and cement by numerous workers. The construction management was overseen by Ernst Rotter, who created a true masterpiece. It is said that he never left the place Kaprun during the entire construction period of eight years. Because of his ambition, he earned the nickname "Tauernbüffel".
To this day, the power plant at Mooserboden, along with the reservoirs, is surrounded by a mystical atmosphere. This was created through press reports, films, and books about the construction, through the stories of workers from all over Austria, and through the accounts of prominent visitors to the power plants at Mooserboden. This myth and the entire history behind the construction of the power plant continue to attract numerous visitors: about 150,000 to 200,000 visitors hike to the Kapruner reservoirs each year.
To this day, the power plant at Mooserboden, along with the reservoirs, is surrounded by a mystical atmosphere. This was created through press reports, films, and books about the construction, through the stories of workers from all over Austria, and through the accounts of prominent visitors to the power plants at Mooserboden. This myth and the entire history behind the construction of the power plant continue to attract numerous visitors: about 150,000 to 200,000 visitors hike to the Kapruner reservoirs each year.
From Plan to Functional Power Plant in Kaprun
The first concrete plan for energy use in Kaprun was created as early as 1928 by the company AEG in Berlin. However, due to technical and financial problems, the idea had to be abandoned soon after.
After the annexation to Germany, the new rulers staged a pompous groundbreaking ceremony. During the war, work focused mainly on infrastructure, roads, cable cars, worker camps, and pressure tunnels. With the help of a provisional dam and a wooden pipeline, it was already possible to generate a little power in 1944. However, the war years nearly brought construction to a standstill. There was a shortage of materials and the forced laborers were poorly nourished and mostly in poor health. Many lost their lives during the construction of the power plant due to accidents or illnesses.
In 1947, the Tauern power plants were founded. Now the work could really begin. This was made possible by American financial aid. By 1951, the Limberg dam was completed. In 1955, the Mooserboden dam and the Drossen dam followed. On September 23, 1955, the power plant in Kaprun was officially put into operation.
Before the war, Kaprun had 700 inhabitants; 20 years later, due to the construction of the power plant, there were 2,500. There is hardly a Kapruner whose ancestors were not directly or indirectly involved in the construction of the power plant. The power plant near the reservoirs in Kaprun is a part of our history – and also a beautifully scenic and exciting destination for excursions.
After the annexation to Germany, the new rulers staged a pompous groundbreaking ceremony. During the war, work focused mainly on infrastructure, roads, cable cars, worker camps, and pressure tunnels. With the help of a provisional dam and a wooden pipeline, it was already possible to generate a little power in 1944. However, the war years nearly brought construction to a standstill. There was a shortage of materials and the forced laborers were poorly nourished and mostly in poor health. Many lost their lives during the construction of the power plant due to accidents or illnesses.
In 1947, the Tauern power plants were founded. Now the work could really begin. This was made possible by American financial aid. By 1951, the Limberg dam was completed. In 1955, the Mooserboden dam and the Drossen dam followed. On September 23, 1955, the power plant in Kaprun was officially put into operation.
Before the war, Kaprun had 700 inhabitants; 20 years later, due to the construction of the power plant, there were 2,500. There is hardly a Kapruner whose ancestors were not directly or indirectly involved in the construction of the power plant. The power plant near the reservoirs in Kaprun is a part of our history – and also a beautifully scenic and exciting destination for excursions.