Climate change adaptation in the water network

NiersCon – Analysis of decentralized water retention and groundwater recharge through integrated control of the regional ditch system

Testing of controllable weirs in the trench system.  © FiW e. V.
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Precipitation-dependent uses of the ditch system.  © FiW e. V.
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Nature-based measures for water retention, such as the installation of deadwood elements or drainage into floodplain forests and moors.  © FiW e. V.
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The increase in extreme weather events caused by climate change poses a challenge for regional water management in the district of Viersen and the area covered by the Wasser- und Bodenverband der Mittleren Niers (WBVdMN) water and soil association. The landscape water balance in the district of Viersen is characterised by numerous drainage ditches, which serve to expedite drainage of rainwater during wet periods. However, these ditches are not currently used for water retention during dry periods. In order to expand the function of drainage ditches to include water retention in dry periods in the context of climate change, the project is developing an integrated control management system in which various measures are being tested. The aim of the project is to strengthen the resilience of the water management of the regional ditch system in the long term. 

More about the BMUKN (formerly BMUV) funded NiersCon Project