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From an industrial watercourse to a near-natural floodplain
The completion of the final phase of the Dortmund-Ellinghausen flood retention basin (HRB) marks an important milestone in the ecological restoration of the main course of the Emscher. The project combines effective flood protection with a more nature-oriented development of the watercourse and strengthens the resilience of the surrounding towns to high discharge volumes.
In future, the Ellinghausen HRB will operate in conjunction with the neighbouring Emscheraue HRB. Together, the two facilities form a retention basin with a storage capacity of around 1.5 million m³ ready. In this way, they make a significant contribution to protecting the towns situated along the main course of the Emscher.
Large-scale solutions for reliable flood protection
The scale of the project highlights its significance for regional infrastructure and environmental engineering. The flood retention basin covers an excavated area of almost 25 hectares. More than 1 million m³ of soil moves; the excavation depth is up to six metres.
| Key figure | Scope |
| Excavation area | Almost 25 hectares |
| Excavation volume | Over 1 million m³ of soil |
| Maximum excavation depth | Up to 6 m |
| Total retention area with the Emscher floodplain (HRB) | Approx. 1.5 million m³ |
| Project support provided by TABERG Ingenieure GmbH | More than 10 years |
Work began as early as 2013 with the excavation of three separate individual basins. These were used to create what is known as an ‘interim stage’. The northern section of the basin, Section C, was completed in 2019. With the final phase of construction of the southern sections, Sections A and B, now complete, the entire project has been fully realised.
Large-scale solutions for reliable flood protection
To achieve the final state, the remaining embankments, also known as „Rehnen“, were removed. In addition, a bridge was constructed over the Nettebach. A public footpath and cycle path also improves connectivity and accessibility within the project area.
A key component of the project is the new course of the Emscher. The river, which was straightened during the industrialisation era, now meanders through the basin in a newly excavated riverbed. The constant alternation between low and high flow rates has already given the retention basin the character of a floodplain.
In this way, the HRB Ellinghausen project combines the technical requirements of flood protection with the ecological development of a watercourse area. The project demonstrates how infrastructure measures can help the area adapt to hydrological pressures whilst at the same time creating new qualities of open space.
Long-standing expert support from TABERG engineers
For more than ten years, we have been supporting TABERG Engineers GmbH – part of SIERA the large-scale project, both in terms of planning and technical consultancy. The services included soil management, geotechnical supervision during construction, as well as construction supervision and overall project management.
Until the dry run inspection was recently carried out by the relevant licensing authorities, these tasks were carried out by TABERG Engineers GmbH within SIERA taken on in full. Long-term support across several construction phases ensures professional implementation from the planning stage right through to the completion of the final works.
A contribution towards a resilient region
The Ellinghausen HRB creates vital flood retention areas along the Emscher. At the same time, the new, meandering river course demonstrates how technical infrastructure and ecological enhancement can work in tandem.
Find out more about how TABERG Engineers GmbH – part of SIERA supports challenging projects in environmental engineering, soil management and geotechnical construction supervision.