Dyke shows completed: The challenge of climate change
The autumnal dyke inspections on the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein came to an end on Thursday with the inspection on the North Sea island of Föhr. After a comparatively calm storm surge season in 2022/23, the dykes were already in very good condition in spring, according to Fabian Lücht, Head of Division at the State Agency for Coastal Protection, National Park and Marine Conservation (LKN.SH).
In addition, mice, moles and rabbits burrowing in the dyke were significantly less active than in previous years. The amount of repair work required was correspondingly lower.
Since mid-September, there have been 15 dyke inspections from Haseldorfer Marsch to Sylt. "Coastal protection must be carried out continuously and with a great deal of effort in order to be successful," says Lücht. This is the only way the dykes can survive storm surges. He thanked the 300 or so hydraulic engineers in his team, who are on duty 365 days a year - and he also expressly thanked the shepherds. "The good grazing of the dykes by the sheep has ensured that the grass cover is one hundred percent dense," said Lücht.
In October, the Baltic Sea showed the destructive power of water driven against the coast by storms. Several dykes were flooded and severely damaged, there were large break-offs on the cliffs and damage to the infrastructure.
Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt (Greens) had already taken part in a dyke inspection on Eiderstedt at the beginning of November. He emphasized the challenges posed by climate change. On the Eiderstedt peninsula alone, 18,000 people and two billion euros in material assets are protected by dykes. The dykes on the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein are gradually being raised in order to withstand storm surges even if the sea level rises.
According to the state agency, there are more than 360 kilometers of dykes under state protection along Schleswig-Holstein's North Sea coast, which is around 570 kilometers long including the tidal Elbe. The LKN.SH is responsible for around 50 kilometers of regional dykes on the Halligen and islands in addition to the state protection dykes on the west coast and a further 70 kilometers on the Baltic Sea coast.
The continuous effort in coastal protection is crucial to ensure the survival of the dykes, especially in the face of climate change. Raising the dykes along Schleswig-Holstein's North Sea coast is necessary to protect against rising sea levels and severe storm surges, safeguarding the environment and nature that thrive in this coastal region.
Source: www.dpa.com
