Lusatian Lake District

The Lusatian Lake District (German: Lausitzer Seenland, Lower Sorbian: Łužyska jazorina, Upper Sorbian: Łužiska jězorina) is a chain of artificial lakes being constructed in Germany across the north-eastern part of Saxony and the southern part of Brandenburg. Through flooding as a part of an extensive regeneration programme, several decommissioned lignite opencast mines are in the process of being transformed into Europe's largest artificial lake district by 2018. However, the requirements of the project, especially the necessary water resources, are controversial.

The Lusatian Lake District lies in Lusatia between Calau in Brandenburg and Görlitz in Saxony. The extent of what will become Europe's largest artificial lake district is an area 80 kilometres from east to west and, depending on the boundary chosen, 32 to 40 kilometres from north to south.

A distinction is made between the German terms Seenland ("lake district") and Seenkette ("chain of lakes"). The "Lusatian Lake Chain" (Lausitzer Seenkette) refers to those lakes that are linked by navigable canals. They are located in the centre of Lusatia between Senftenberg and Hoyerswerda, and include Lake Senftenberg which has developed since 1973 into an important recreational and tourist centre.

Since the end of the 19th century, the area had been an industrial region, producing lignite and electricity. With the reunification of Germany in 1990, it was decided to end this long tradition because of the dwindling quantity of lignite and the heavy pollution of the surrounding environment. Although mining continues and some big power stations continue to produce electricity with lignite, all industrial activity should cease by 2020.

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