Through a bypass channel of 3 m diameter and a flow rate up to 22.000 l/sec. (statistic 20 year flood water) the surface water of the complete city area can be drained off into the river Rhine. At a 5 year Rhine flood level two pumps transport the city surface water into the river Rhine. One of the biggest flood prevention lifting shields worldwide (7,20 m high and 3,70 wide) protects the inner city of Mainz from a statistically 200 years Rhine flood, from a backwater into the local sewer system. With the total height of 8,50 meters, the visible part of the building is just the "tip of the iceberg", the bottom edge of the pit is 16 m under the surface. The orientation of the pumping station is directed to the flow of the river Rhine, its volume expresses the huge amount of water which must be transported into the river in case of emergency.
Courtesy of SYRA_Schoyerer Architekten

Architects: SYRA_Schoyerer Architekten

Location: 55118 Mainz, Germany

Project Year: 2009

Photographs: Courtesy of SYRA_Schoyerer Architekten

Courtesy of SYRA_Schoyerer Architekten

Through a bypass channel of 3 m diameter and a flow rate up to 22.000 l/sec. (statistic 20 year flood water) the surface water of the complete city area can be drained off into the river Rhine. At a 5 year Rhine flood level two pumps transport the city surface...