Cracks and erosion - further work on the Störmthal Canal

Further safety measures are to begin in the coming weeks on the Störmthal Canal in Leipzig's Neuseenland region, which has been closed for years. As Bernd Sablotny, spokesman for the management of the mining redeveloper LMBV, announced in Markkleeberg, the work follows an order from the Saxon Mining Authority, which is expected shortly. The aim is to avoid further erosion processes and ensure the safety of the canal for the coming years.

Canal and lock closed for four years

The 850-metre-long canal and lock have been closed since March 2021 after cracks were discovered in the embankment. It runs across landfill sites and connects Lake Störmthal and Lake Markkleeberg - two flooded former opencast lignite mines. The closure was a major setback for tourism businesses in the region.

An expert report had identified several causes for the damage. Among other things, the groundwater level developed differently than predicted. In addition, the structure had not settled as planned.

Uncertainties about long-term stability

"The hazard prevention measures that were taken in 2021 are still effective. The lock structure is also stable," emphasized Sablotny. However, the actual causes of the problem have not yet been resolved. In addition, neither the long-term stability of the structure nor possible damage caused by internal erosion in the embankments could be conclusively assessed. "There are no technical means of 'looking inside' the embankment," explained Sablotny.

Initial work to stabilize the embankments has been underway since the end of 2023 - including the installation of armourstones. In the near future, supporting structures and load filters are to be built on the upper barrier structure and below the highway bridge, including with so-called "Lego concrete system blocks" - these are large concrete blocks that work on the principle of Lego toy building blocks. Further sealing walls - so-called bored pile walls - are also planned.

Remediation work is pioneering work in many respects

Sablotny emphasized the challenges of remediation: "Nowhere else in the world has a landscape affected by open-cast lignite mining been reshaped by human hands on this scale and made usable for future generations." The restoration of the lignite mining areas in the Lusatian and Central German coalfields is one of the largest environmental projects in Germany.