Staumauer

Staumauer is a German term for the barrier wall of a dam, the element that holds back water in a reservoir. The word combines Stau, meaning to stop or hold back, with Mauer, wall. In many German-speaking contexts, Staumauer denotes the wall itself; the whole dam is usually called Staudamm or Stauwerk.

Construction and materials vary. Staumauern are built from concrete for gravity or arch dams, or from earth and rock-fill for embankment dams. The wall must resist hydrostatic pressure, temperature changes, and, in some regions, earthquakes. It is often pierced by drainage galleries and joints and is paired with a spillway and intake works to manage water levels.

Function and operations: The Staumauer stores water for power generation, irrigation, drinking water, and flood control. It controls releases to protect downstream areas and to supply reservoirs. Regular inspection, monitoring, and maintenance are essential to detect seepage, cracking, or deformation.

Safety and terminology: Dam walls are designed with redundancies and emergency plans. Terminology varies by region, and in some languages the term Staumauer is used alongside Staudamm or Stauwerk to refer to the dam as a whole.