Ecological hiking trail - Stop 15:
The high-water canal of the Waldnaab

Approximately 1600 acres of meadows and fields north and south of Weiden were flooded every year. That is why, on January 30, 1857, a group of 154 landowners came together to found the “Meadow Society”. The self-proclaimed aim of this society was “to take appropriate measures to cut some of the bends of the river Naab in order to accelerate the river runoff. Furthermore, we must accelerate the high water runoff by establishing a dewatering conduit at Stadtmühle (today Kurt-Schumacher-Avenue), Leitstadtmühle, and Pirkmühle.” However, due to a disagreement between the Meadow Society and plant owners affected by these measures, the project was put on ice for almost half a century. It was not until 1906 that the plan was taken up again but was not executed.

Distribution of the work:

Facts and figures:

700,000 m³ of excavated soil
10,000 m³ of concrete walls
150 tons of iron

Construction of a channel between Leihstadtmühle and Schirmitz:

1 Backhoe loader
2 Drag line excavators
4 Decauville locomotives

1937 stone bridge at Vohenstraußerstraße is torn down

Simone Schaller, nach Annemarie Krauß "Fire and Water"

The levee system today

In 1995, high water almost reached the historical district of Weiden. This incident clearly displayed the inadequacy of the old levee system. As a consequence, the public was crying out for a renewal of the levee.

Plans for a new and modern levee were taken on by Weiden’s water management office. In 2004, the project was for the main part executed, significantly increasing the security level of the levee system. The cost of the project amounted to  ca. € 5 Mio., one half of which was paid by the Free State of Bavaria and the other half by Weiden. At the first construction stage, the 1 km long western levee was rebuilt. This levee is now a reliable bulwark against the floods and helps protect the historical district of Weiden. It has also become a favorite with people taking a stroll or riding their bikes along the river.

The relocation and renaturation of the Schweinenaab was a necessary step due the levee construction. Nevertheless, it also created a new small refuge for nature enthusiats, which is now home to numerous animals and plants.

In downtown Weiden, another bulwark resists the water masses of the Naab, namely the “Central Weir”. Having been in a state of utter dilapidation, the weir was renovated and was turned into an impressive structure that attracts many locals both who marvel at the three hydraulically driven flap gates and stop to play, dream, or just enjoy the beauty of the landscape. The last part of the levee between the Max-Reger-Park and the Central Weir was rebuilt in 2006. In the same year, the so-called “Water Forum” at the ‘serenade meadow’ was completed as well. Here, a staircase leads directly to the water and beckons everyone to sit, watch the world go by, or take a sunbath.

Wasserwirtschaftsamt Weiden: Richard Gollwitzer