Editing Harz (section)

=== Rivers and lakes ===
[[File:Rappbode3.jpeg|thumb|Reservoir behind the [[Wendefurth Dam]]]]
[[File:Bodetal2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bode Gorge]]]]

Because of the heavy rainfall in the region the rivers of the Harz Mountains were dammed from an early date. Examples of such masonry dams are the two largest: the [[Oker Dam]] and the [[Rappbode Dam]]. The clear, cool water of the mountain streams was also dammed by early mountain folk to form the various mountain ponds of the Upper Harz waterways, such as the [[Oderteich]].

The 17 dams in the Harz block a total of twelve rivers. Because the Harz is one of the regions of Germany that experiences the most rainfall, its water power was used from early times. Today the dams are primarily used to [[Electricity generation|generate electricity]], to provide [[drinking water]], to [[Flood control|prevent flooding]] and to supply water in times of scarcity. Modern dam-building began in the Harz with the construction of the [[Söse Valley Dam]], which was built between 1928 and 1931. The dams of the Upper Harz lakes are some of the oldest dams in Germany that are still in operation.

→ ''See [[List of dams in the Harz]]''

The largest rivers in the Harz are the [[Innerste]], the [[Oker]] and the [[Bode (river)|Bode]] in the north; the [[Wipper (Harz)|Wipper]] in the east; and the [[Oder (Harz)|Oder]] in the south. The Innerste merges into the [[Leine]] and its tributaries are the [[Nette (Innerste)|Nette]] and the [[Grane (river)|Grane]]. The rivers [[Radau (river)|Radau]], [[Ecker]] and [[Ilse (Oker)|Ilse]] all discharge into the Oker. The [[Hassel (river)|Hassel]], the [[Selke (river)|Selke]] and the [[Holtemme]] (whose main tributary is the [[Zillierbach]]) flow into the Bode. The Wipper is fed by the [[Eine (river)|Eine]]. The Rhume is joined by the [[Söse]] and the Oder; the latter being fed by the [[Sieber (river)|Sieber]]. The [[Zorge (river)|Zorge]], the [[Wieda (river)|Wieda]] and the [[Uffe (Wieda)|Uffe]] all flow into the Helme.
{{clear}}