Wangen, Germany
2019 - 2022
Argen Nature Restoration
Restoring a river in the picturesque town of Wangen, Germany, the Argen nature restoration project increases habitats for fish, flora, and fauna while bringing new life to the community.
Project details
Client
City of Wangen, LGS GmbH
Status
In a small town of 27,000 inhabitants, surrounded by the green hills of the Württemberg Allgäu, flows the Argen river. Originally the lifeline of the town of Wangen, the river was built up with barrages over the last few decades – preventing a balanced relationship between nature and the town’s inhabitants.
In the last 10 years the city set out to change this negation process, resulting in the re-establishment of Argen as an accessible part of the city, where both nature and people thrive. This initiative was used as a basis of application for the Lohrer-Hochrein State Garden Show 2024 – a vehicle to acquire funds and fix completion dates. With this, an intensive planning, approval, and construction process began to develop the river and state garden show in parallel.
The project represents the re-establishment of balance between humans and nature – a balance that, as seen in June 2024, can sometimes mean flooding. Fortunately, no major disasters occurred, and any "damage" to the banks and nearby meadows is considered part of the river's renewed dynamic, which allows for natural changes.
Biodiversity as an integral part of river restoration
To re-establish space for the river, certain areas needed to be stabilized, trees removed, and barrages dismantled, while new rough ramps were constructed. The riverbanks were reinforced using bioengineering techniques, allowing interested visitors to learn about a range of construction methods – from reed fascines and Krainer walls to stone fills with willow cuttings. These methods not only stabilize the course of the river, but also improve water quality.
Habitat diversity has been multiplied through the incorporation of horseshoes, fish ladders, shallow water zones and oxbow lakes resulting in the increase of local flora and fauna. In some areas, the river was able to regain its natural flow dynamics. Erosion and sediment are permitted here, with “sleeping belays” in place to support maximum natural development.
01/03
Contact
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Executive Partner
Senior Landscape Architect, B. Eng. Landscape Architecture
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