Karlsruhe strengthens heavy rain protection: Pelvis in Stupferich is being expanded!

Karlsruhe strengthens heavy rain protection: Pelvis in Stupferich is being expanded!

In the city of Karlsruhe, an important step is taken to offer citizens better protection against heavy rain events. The smallest rainwater retention basin in the city is expanded in the Stupferich height. With an investment volume of 1.7 million euros, the existing pool, which has been able to store over 7,500 cubic meters of water since its inauguration in 2001, is to be enlarged to around 21,000 cubic meters. This is intended to significantly improve the protection against floods and extreme weather conditions, which are reinforced by climate change, such as karlsruhe.de

The construction work that started in March 2025 assumes that such heavy rain events, in which a lot of precipitation falls in a short time, now occur more frequently. Mayor Daniel Fluhrer and civil engineering director Martin Kissel explained the need to expand. In particular, the rising amounts of precipitation in the summer months face major challenges. At a last heavy rain event in August 2016, the pelvis was at its capacity limit, and a "in-depth security test" showed that the existing protection level was only effective for 10-year flood events, which made the current expansion particularly urgent, so bnn.de .

The background of the project

The dangers from heavy rain are not a future music, but already a reality. Studies show that the frequency of such weather phenomena has not decreased. A project of the Federal Environment Office aims to support municipalities like Karlsruhe in adapting to these climate changes. Measures for heavy rain prevention are therefore more important than ever. The city of Karlsruhe has decided on a comprehensive plan to counteract the effects of extreme weather events. The sewage system in the region is also adapted to the future requirements with a drainage of 200 liters per second, such as Environmental Bundesamt.de emphasized

A special focus of the project is to integrate the surroundings to integrate the retention basin. No fence is pulled around the pool so that birds and insects can be accommodated in a provisional nesting site during the construction work. The measure not only aims to prevent floods, but also to preserve nature and to expand the living space of the animal world.

future prospects

The completion of the construction work is planned for autumn 2025. With the expansion of the rain retention basin, the capacity is increased by almost three times volume, which corresponds to around 140,000 full bathtubs. This investment in infrastructure and flood protection shows that the city of Karlsruhe is willing to actively counter the challenges of climate change. Such projects ensure that residents will continue to be protected in the future, and not only with regard to heavy rains, but also against the overloads that are associated with it. The existing pool remains functional throughout the construction period, which minimizes the risks for the resident settlements.

Karlsruhe clearly has a good hand when it comes to dealing with the challenges of climate change and preparing the city for future extreme weather. Last but not least, it is important that all residents are involved in the discussions on heavy rain prevention, because only together can climate change be mastered.