Flooding in Lower Saxony - not just superficial

As a member of the M&P Group, we are deeply concerned about the recent events in Lower Saxony, particularly in Hanover, where the region was affected by significant flooding at Christmas 2023 due to persistent heavy rainfall and saturated soils.

Just in time for Christmas 2023, there was a flood in Lower Saxony, among other places, as a result of prolonged rainfall and the resulting saturated soil.

In the state capital of Hanover, a considerable increase in the flow of the Leine and Ihme rivers led to flooding in the Ricklinger Kiesteiche area (see figure).

In addition to the flooded areas, many construction projects with foundations below ground level were also affected by this flood. In Hanover, for example, many of the highest groundwater levels measured to date have been exceeded by half a metre in some cases. As a result, ongoing groundwater lowering projects have significantly exceeded the often already conservatively estimated extraction rates and the total extraction volumes applied for.

Even though the floods are now in the past, the groundwater levels are still high, meaning that we still receive short-term enquiries about unplanned groundwater lowering.