More than two years after the Störmthaler Canal in Leipzig's Neuseenland region was closed due to cracks in the embankment, an expert report on the cause of the damage is now available. According to the report, a combination of several unfavorable factors in the tipping area caused the stability of the structure to reach a critical state. The expert opinion had been commissioned by the mining reclamation company LMBV after consultation with the Upper Mining Authority and the Saxony State Directorate.
The canal, including the lock, had only been opened in 2013 and was considered a key project in the shaping of the former open-cast mining landscape south of Leipzig. In 2021, it was closed and stabilized with emergency measures. Sheet pile walls were erected and stones piled up on the embankment of the 850-meter-long connection between Lake Störmthal and Lake Markkleeberg.
According to the LMBV, it is fundamentally very challenging to build on dump soils. In addition it comes that channel and sluice were established in the range of the groundwater rise again. Construction was carried out in dry conditions, and the planning was based on forecasts from models. The hydrogeological conditions had developed unfavorably. In addition, steps had been taken in the planning, which would have turned out with the today's knowledge to the groundwater dynamics as disadvantageous.
According to information of the LMBV it concerns with the appraisal still a "provisional final version". It is currently being finalized. Probably at the end of September, a final version will be available, which will be handed over to all parties involved - these are the cities of Markkleeberg and Leipzig, the district of Leipzig, the State Directorate, the Upper Mining Authority and the Regional Planning Association of Western Saxony.
On the other hand, it is still completely open how the canal and lock can be rehabilitated. In addition only different variants would have to be examined. Also, what a reorganization costs, the LMBV cannot quantify at present. Accordingly it stands also in the stars, when again paddle and excursion boats of the Störmthaler to the Markkleeberger lake can drive.
Markkleebergs mayor Karsten contactor (SPD) had already complained that the entire procedure took much too long. He said the canal had to be rehabilitated quickly, saying it was immensely important for tourism businesses in the region. Schütze also said that confidence in mining rehabilitation had been lost.
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