Lörrach Tests Flood Defenses in Landmark Simulation of 100-Year Storm
The city of Lörrach carried out a major flood simulation in the Hauingen district from May 9 to May 10, 2026. The exercise marked the first full-scale test of the Soormattbach stream’s flood retention basin, designed to protect against extreme weather events. Emergency crews, technical experts, and local authorities worked together to assess the system’s readiness under controlled conditions. Water was pumped from the nearby Wiese River into the retention basin using multiple pumping stations. Around 8,000 cubic meters filled the basin, which has a total capacity of approximately 11,100 cubic meters—enough to handle a 100-year flood. The trial aimed to evaluate the dam’s stability, drainage efficiency, and the impact on the stream bed and culverted sections in Hauingen’s village centre.
Personnel from the Lörrach and Offenburg branches of the Technical Relief Agency (THW) joined forces with the Lörrach fire department during the drill. Teams tested communication networks, command structures, and drone operations while monitoring the facility’s performance. The city administration closely observed how the system managed water flow and structural stress. After the two-day exercise, officials declared the test a success but noted areas requiring refinement. Data collected on water retention, drainage, and emergency response will now be used to update future operational and crisis plans.
The findings from the flood simulation will shape Lörrach’s emergency preparedness strategies moving forward. Adjustments to the retention basin’s operation and response protocols are expected based on the trial’s results. The exercise confirmed the system’s basic functionality while highlighting where improvements can be made.
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