Water resources management in river catchments influenced by lignite mining

Open-pit lignite mining is a dominant economic sector in several parts of Germany. The various German lignite mining districts are characterized by specific geological, geographical, hydrological and other conditions leading to different technological solutions, ecological consequences and social impacts in the regions concerned. Generally, the effects for the regional groundwater and surface water resources are substantial. High pumping rates of mining water over many years and the need for restoration of more or less original hydrological conditions state serious problems to the regional water resources management regarding quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water. With the drastic decline of lignite mining in the former GDR after 1989, reliable management tools and methods are required to minimize negative consequences for water quantity and quality conditions. Special efforts are undertaken in the affected catchment areas of the Spree and Schwarze Lister Rivers in the Lower Lusatian lignite mining district. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.