The timber rafting in the Salzkammergut region

crucial for salt production

Here are some aspects that illustrate its importance: Wood Transport for Salt Processing: During the summer, wood was harvested from the mountainsides and brought down to the valley in winter via sleds or "Riesen" (wooden slides).

Spring Rafting: With the snowmelt in spring, the wood was rafted downstream on the water. Since streams didn't always have sufficient rafting water, dams called "Klausen" were built to store water. In the Salzkammergut, these were typically "Steinkastenklausen," constructed by stacking round timber logs and filling the gaps with stones. These dams had gravel gates to prevent sediment from filling the reservoir.

An example is the Chorinskyklause in the Weißenbachtal in Bad Goisern, built in 1819 and protected as a technical monument. Following a flood disaster, it was renovated by the federal forests and now serves as a forest school for children's programs. Timber rafting was an impressive spectacle but also a perilous workplace for people in the Salzkammergut.

The reasons for establishing a brewing house in Ebensee can be summarized as follows: Abundant Forests: The rich forests around Ebensee played a crucial role due to the availability of wood in the vicinity. Savings on Wood Delivery Costs: Transporting wood to Ebensee was much cheaper than the route to Hallstatt. Elimination of Dangerous Timber Transport on the Traun River: The brewing house eliminated the risky timber transport on the Traun River, resulting in cost savings and protection against salt loss. Convenient Wood Storage Locations: The brewing house provided suitable locations for wood storage