Impoundment rights () denoted a right granted only to the German

nobility Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally appointed by and ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. T ...

and

monasteries A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone ( hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which m ...

to levy taxes for the damming of rivers and streams. These rights were eliminated by the Prussian reforms of the 19th century and replaced by state-granted rights motivated by the need for water management. According to §8 and §9 of the German Federal Water Act (''Wasserhaushaltsgesetz'' or WHG) the damming of surface water normally requires a permit or licence in accordance with §10 of the WHG.

References

{{Germany-hist-stub Hydropower Law of Germany