Staustufe Griesheim

In 1932, a marvel of engineering arose on the Main River. This marvel was the Staustufe Griesheim. It stands as a testament to human ingenuity. The Staustufe Griesheim, located between Griesheim and Goldstein, controls the flow of the Main. The river’s average flow here is a substantial 200 cubic meters per second. This can increase more than tenfold during a once-in-a-century flood. Imagine the raw power of the water surging through. The Staustufe Griesheim isn’t just a functional structure. It’s also an integral part of the local ecosystem. The surrounding banks and the lock island have been designated as part of the European bird sanctuary DE5916402 Untermainschleusen since 2003. Birdwatchers can spot various species here. The Staustufe Griesheim boasts a roller weir with a width of three times 40 meters and a drop height of 4.49 meters at normal damming. A fish ladder allows fish to bypass the dam. This ensures the natural migration patterns of the river’s inhabitants are undisturbed. The Staustufe Griesheim also generates power. Three four-bladed Kaplan turbines harness the Main’s water power to generate electricity in a run-of-river power plant. Each turbine has a maximum flow rate of 70 cubic meters per second. This results in a total output of 210 cubic meters per second. The power plant, designed for a capacity of 4,900 kilowatts, contributes significantly to the base load power supply. The generators, housed on the Schwanheim side of the lock, feed approximately 35,000 megawatt hours into the grid annually. A control room manages both the turbines and generators of the Staustufe Griesheim. It also controls the Staustufe in Eddersheim, demonstrating the interconnected nature of these engineering feats. For those who prefer to travel by water, the Staustufe Griesheim offers two lock chambers and a boat lock. The south chamber has a usable length of 344.38 meters and a width of 15.04 meters. The north chamber measures 344.05 meters in length and 12.02 meters in width. The smaller boat lock is 21.93 meters long and 3.50 meters wide. Approximately 60 ships pass through this bustling waterway every day. The Staustufe Griesheim has been remotely controlled from the Kostheim control center since 2012, ensuring its smooth operation. A three-meter-wide pedestrian bridge spans the weir, offering a unique vantage point. This allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross, providing a convenient link between Griesheim and Schwanheim and the Griesheim industrial park. This bridge with its partially grated surface offers spectacular, albeit slightly dizzying, views. The Staustufe Griesheim is more than just a dam. It is a testament to human ingenuity. It combines functionality with ecological consciousness and serves as a landmark in Frankfurt.