Consider the Neckar River. Have you ever wondered how its flow is managed? Right here, we find the Stauwehr Wieblingen, a weir that plays a crucial role in regulating the river’s water level.
The Stauwehr Wieblingen is part of the Schwabenheim lock system. The system also includes the Schwabenheim lock, located at the lower end of the Wieblingen side canal and the Schwabenheim and Wieblingen power plants. Construction took place from 1922 to 1925. Today, the Stauwehr Wieblingen is a protected historical monument.
From the Rhine, the Stauwehr Wieblingen is the second structure of its kind. The associated locks and the power plant are in Schwabenheim. The weir and the Wieblingen power plant mark the beginning of the side canal and the start of the Old Neckar.
The Stauwehr Wieblingen features six weir fields. These fields have gates that control the water level. These gates vary in height between 4.30 and 5.90 meters. A pedestrian bridge crosses the weir fields and the side canal. This bridge serves as a public walkway. It links Bergheim with Neuenheimer Feld. These are districts of Heidelberg.
However, age has taken its toll on the Stauwehr Wieblingen. Repairs are essential to maintain its function. These repairs also ensure Heidelberg’s flood protection. The fundamental renovation of the weir started in 2006. The first phase involved renovating the two right-hand weir fields and their technology. The steel gates were replaced. The weir piers were repaired. The associated control buildings were rebuilt. Part of the weir bridge was also replaced.
Before renovating the remaining weir fields, the Kolk needs securing. The Kolk is a scour hole in the riverbed downstream of the weir. It forms because water shoots through the opened gates with high energy. Usually, weirs have a stilling basin to dissipate this energy. The Stauwehr Wieblingen lacks such a basin. This absence has led to the formation of the Kolk.
Measurements have shown that the Kolk is over 8 meters deep. It continues to deepen and expand. This erosion threatens the stability of the weir and the adjacent side canal.
To stabilize the partition wall to the side canal, rocks were piled along it in December 2009. This measure is only a temporary fix. The plan is to fill and reinforce the Kolk with rocks. Underwater concrete will stabilize these rocks. Sheet pile walls will also protect the structures from erosion. After securing the Kolk, the remaining weir fields will undergo renovation. Construction is planned to begin in 2024 and last ten to twelve years.
The Stauwehr Wieblingen stands as a testament to engineering. It shows how we manage our waterways while also coping with the challenges of time and nature. It protects Heidelberg from floods. It provides a vital link for pedestrians. It truly is an important landmark.