Flooding prevention strategies discussed
In the heart of Detmold, the city's Klüt district witnessed a significant weather event on June 14th, 2025. A thunderstorm brought forth a heavy rain event, measuring between 50 and 60 millimeters in just 15 minutes - double the amount of a comparable once-in-a-century heavy rain event.
Fortunately, the combination of all flood protection measures - trench dam systems, diversions, emergency waterways - led to the rainwater being released into the Klütbach and Oetternbach in a delayed manner without causing flooding. Engineer Andreas Hoffmann, who designed and implemented the flood protection measures, summarized the stress test as successful.
Mayor Frank Hilker interprets the events as showing that the measures implemented in Klüt are fully effective and provide the necessary security for the residents. The trench dam systems above the Mittelstraße held back the rainwater, the water diversion measures on the upper Mittelstraße near the Rudolf-Harbig-Weg directed mud and water away from the fields and the road. Near Mittelstraße 59, the water took the intended emergency waterway, causing no damage.
Meanwhile, in the northern part of the city, the fire department faced a different challenge. High-pressure groundwater and malfunctioning backflow preventers in houses required their attention on June 14th, unrelated to the flood protection measures in Klüt. The incidents did not pose a threat to the flood protection measures in Klüt, as they were unrelated to the heavy rain event.
The fire department's deployments in the northern part of the city did not affect the effectiveness of the flood protection measures in Klüt. The fire department's activities in the northern part of the city on June 14th were not a direct consequence of the flood protection measures implemented in Klüt.
Looking ahead, the city of Detmold plans to further expand the protective measures. A trench dam system and retention basin on the Poststraße towards Ernst-Hilker-Ring/Jowat and the upgrade of the cycle path towards "Son Vida" are scheduled for construction in 2026.
The stress test results indicate that climate change is in full swing and can no longer be denied, as the third statistically once-in-a-century heavy rain event occurred within three years. The engineer responsible for designing and implementing the flood protection measures in Klüt is Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Becher, and on June 14, 2025, an additional Trench Dam system was planned on Poststraße to enhance flood defense in response to increasing flood risks.
In conclusion, the flood protection measures in Klüt proved effective in preventing flooding, while the fire department had to address high-pressure groundwater and malfunctioning backflow preventers in homes in the northern part of the city on June 14th, unrelated to the heavy rain event. The city of Detmold continues to invest in flood protection measures to ensure the safety and security of its residents.
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