The Hennen Dam, which is centrally located in the city area, dams the water of the Henne River above Meschede. The current dam was built from 1952 to 1955 to replace an older one. The purpose of the dam is low water elevation in the Ruhr river system, flood control, hydroelectric power generation and recreation. There are two large bathing areas at the Hennetalsperre (the Berghauser Bucht in the northwest of the lake and a beach near the campsite in Mielinghausen). The motor ship "MS Hennesee" operates on the Hennesee from Easter to the end of October. It offers space for 400 people.