Taken actions - Numerous pre-development measures

In the LIFE project Lippeaue most diverse measures were undertaken for the protection and the development of a diverse animal and plant habitats and to convert the goals of the project. It was particularly important to re-integrate the river with its floodplain. Various initial measures were implemented, and mother nature helps with the rest!

Essential tasks were:

• river bank renaturation; Lippe’s banks were stabilized (reinforced) by stone rip-rap packing – these stone packings were removed at some stretches

• removal of bank dykes

• improvement of the water course by creating a near-natural bypass to the weir at Heessen

• river course extension; between Dolberg and Haaren, a new 400 m long and 35 to 40 metre river loop was created

• re-shaping of small streams of the Lippe and creation of flood channels

• creation of typical floodplain eco-systems such as standing water bodies, oxbow lakes, shallow ponds, which only temporarily hold water, and duney areas

• implementation of environmentally-friendly agriculture; in co-operation with farmers, an extensive or half-extensive form of land use of the meadows has been introduced

• partial re-water logging of meadows by removing drainage and by closing ditches

• transforming fields into grassland

• planting of alluvial woodland

• creation of a nature trail with a cautious visitor-guidance concept

• a brought concept for public relations inlcuding presentations, discussions, field trips, a  scientific conference, and other public events

The implementation of these measures was undertaken in separate sections (five river stretches), which are all part of the project area.
Picture galleries of each block – including the construction period - are visible below (script in German)! Here you can see how the measures of the different sections were implemented. You can also see comparisons between before and afterwards.

General map of measure blocks

Picture galery of taken actions in the measure blocks A to E:

Picture galleries of each block – including the construction period - are visible on the right (script in German)! Here you can see how the measures of the different sections were implemented. You can also see comparisons between before and afterwards.