As far as dams go, North Rhine-Westphalia is the absolute world Champion. Within its confines, there are more water reservoirs than anywhere else in the world. They not only serve as drinking water reservoirs, but also offer several leisure time activities and recreational opportunities. Many of the artificial lakes have developed into veritable natural paradises. Despite the fact that dams are man-made habitats, they have much to offer with respect to flora and fauna. The artificial lakes, with their geographical characteristics, also offer breath-taking backdrops for many endangered or threatened species, such as Kingfishers and black storks. Eagle owls, red kites, beavers, wildcats and lynx are just some of the species to have found refuge and a habitat here.

就水坝而言，北莱茵-威斯特伐利亚绝对是世界冠军。在它的境内，有比世界上任何地方都多的水库。它们不仅作为饮用水水库，而且还提供多种休闲活动和娱乐机会。许多人工湖已发展成为名副其实的自然乐园。
尽管水坝是人造的栖息地，但对于动植物，它们仍能提供很多东西。这些人工湖具有独特的地理特征，为翠鸟和黑鹳等许多濒危或濒危物种提供了令人叹为观止的屏障。雕鸮、红鸢、海狸、野猫和猞猁是其中在这里找到避难所和栖息地的部分物种。