Casinoweiher

Casinoweiher is an artificial pond in Neu-Moresnet, one of the three villages that make up the municipality of Kelmis (La Calamine) in East Belgium, close to the German and Dutch borders. Covering roughly 5 hectares, the pond is today one of the more popular excursion destinations in the region.

Where does the name come from and what is the pond's history?

The pond was created in 1862 as a dammed reservoir on the Tülje stream. Its original purpose had nothing to do with leisure — the water from the Göhl stream, used to wash the zinc ore extracted around Kelmis, was not sufficient to keep the washing operations running continuously, so an additional retention reservoir was built on the Tülje. The name "Casinoweiher" (literally "Casino Pond") comes from a casino building that once stood on its shore, used by the managerial staff of Vieille-Montagne for their leisure activities. Vieille-Montagne was one of Europe's largest zinc mining and processing companies at the time, and the area around Kelmis lived off zinc-lead ore extraction — known locally as calamine — throughout the 19th century.

What can visitors see there today?

Together with the neighboring Altenberg spoil heap, the pond is a living record of the area's former mining activity — the site has been fully redeveloped and renatured and is now a protected conservation area. The region is known for its calamine flora: specialized plants such as the calamine violet and calamine pennycress that have adapted to survive in soils heavily loaded with heavy metals. The best time to observe this rare vegetation is between May and September, when the plants are in bloom.

Numerous walking paths and hiking trails run around Casinoweiher, fitted with information panels explaining the history of calamine mining and its importance for Kelmis and the surrounding area. The parking area by the pond serves as a convenient starting point for walkers heading out into the surrounding nature.

Why is it worth a visit?

Casinoweiher brings together several layers of the region's history — its industrial past tied to zinc mining, the leisure heritage of Vieille-Montagne's former management, and its present-day role as a conservation area where nature has reclaimed a site once shaped by mining. It's a place where a quiet walk by the water can be combined with a lesson in Kelmis's industrial history and a look at plant life found in few other corners of Belgium.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Casinoweiher? The pond covers approximately 5 hectares.

When was the pond created? It was built in 1862 as a dam on the Tülje stream, originally to serve the local mining industry.

Where does the pond's name come from? From a casino building that once stood on its bank, used by the managerial staff of the Vieille-Montagne company.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The neighboring Altenberg spoil heap and its distinctive calamine flora, best seen between May and September.