Austria: Kaprun – Alpine Dams of Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden

Water Constructions above Kaprun

The town of Kaprun located in Salzburg republic 2 km southwest from Zell am See, in the valley of the Salzach river (Salzachtal). Long valley Kapruner Tal stretches south from Kaprun. It cuts into a massif of crystalized slates of the Hohe Tauern. This mountain range is the highest in Austria and is part of Central Crystal Alps. In the upper part of valley Kapruner Tal, two alpine dams are located. Wasserfallboden situated at lower altitude of 1 672 m. Its dam wall reaches 120 meters and is 357 meters wide. It was built between the years 1938 and 1951. The second Mooserboden is set at 2 036 meters above Wasserfallboden. Mooserboden consists of two dam walls (Moosersperre and Drossensperre) both separated with mountain Höhenburg (2 112 m). These to dams were built in 1947-1955 to produce electric energy.

Transportation to the Dams

You can get to these water facilities by following tourist trails going right from Kaprun or the Hohe Tauern . More comfortable and faster way how to get to the dams is by an asphalt road from Kaprun through Kapruner Tal up to Kesselfall Alpenhaus cottage. There is a car park at the end of the road and a car park house. Next you can take a special bus line. You can get to the dams by your own car or by bus. Bus lines and freight cableway were established to transport visitors to both dams. There is a transfer stop on the route. You will get there by cable waywhich then gets you to another transfer stop at Wasserfallboden dam. A bus line to Mooserboden will then get you to the latter.

Snowcapped mountains and glaciers

Tourists like the second dam Mooserboden, which is in higher altitude, the best. Visitors can walk along dam walls and visit „Erlebniswelt Strom und Eis“. There they can learn more information on the history of dam construction and their operation. Also, a restaurant, souvenir store, and social facilities are all there. You can take hikes along tourist trails along water dam or some nearby mountain. There are some beautiful views off the dam walls, or mountain Höhenburg which is really easily accessible. You would see both dams, the Hohe Tauern, small glaciers as well as Kapruner Tal valley. Very distinct landmark is Kitzsteinhorn mountain (3 203 m) looming like an ice giant above Wasserfallboden. Good weather would allow you to see the peaks of Berchtesgaden Alps.

Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden at Kaprun are amazing place. You can admire fascinating engineering behind the dams, or beautiful nature of Hohe Tauern. Many domestic and foreign visitors serve as evidence about attractively of this locality..

GPS: 47°10'31.72"N 12°43'9.92"E

Text and photo: Radoslav Biskupič