Study on the renovation of the Störmthal Canal is available

Five years after the sudden closure of the Störmthal Canal in Leipzig's Neuseenland region, a feasibility study has now been carried out to determine whether the structure can be renovated. The "Leipziger Volkszeitung" reported that the study puts the construction costs at at least 17 million euros. However, the mining redeveloper LMBV points out that the paper is based on an old status quo from 2024.

The feasibility study was distributed to the members of the Neuseenland steering group in March, the LMBV writes on its website. The committee coordinates water development in the former open-cast lignite mining landscape of the Central German mining area.

Risks at the canal and lock must be reassessed

"The study is based on the state of affairs as it was known at the time of commissioning (07/2024). The results can therefore not reflect the current state of affairs," wrote the LBMV.

In the meantime, additional hazard prevention measures had to be taken on the canal and the associated lock. As a result, significant assessments have changed. The reassessment of the risk situation is currently being examined by the experts at the Upper Mining Authority, the State Directorate and the LMBV. Only then can the feasibility study "be properly classified", explained the mining redeveloper.

The Störmthal Canal was unexpectedly closed in March 2021 because cracks had been discovered in the embankment. The 850-metre-long canal with a lock has connected the two post-mining lakes Störmthaler See and Markkleeberger See since 2013. A bridge on the Autobahn 38 also crosses the canal. The canal runs over tipping areas.