Until recently, the Dorfbach and Giessenbach streams flowed underground through two separate culverts into Lake Lucerne. The bed load input from the two bodies of water meant that deposited material had to be repeatedly removed from the boat harbour. This was the only way to ensure its utilisation. In addition, the two culverts represent a significant ecological deficit.
As part of the project, the Dorfbach and Giessenbach streams were uncovered and revitalised over a length of approx. 140 m in the area of the lakeshore. The new channels were designed in a near-natural way and complemented with a variety of structural elements. Whilst the Giessenbach stream runs within the catchment area of Lake Lucerne throughout the entire project area, the Dorfbach stream offers valuable habitats for fish species such as brown trout and lake trout thanks to its higher bed and gradient and the associated flow dynamics.
In order to avoid bed load deposits in the boat harbour, the mouths of the streams were moved further to the east. The revitalisation and redesign also create direct access to the water for the population and transform the area into a new local recreation area with inviting places to linger. Particularly noteworthy is the newly created island in the estuary area, which is accessed by two pedestrian bridges.
The design of the island considers both the needs of the local population and the ecological objectives of the project. While the lakeside area serves as a recreational space, denser vegetation on the city side creates valuable habitats for the local flora and fauna.
A special feature of the project is the 30 metre long concrete subway beneath Quaistrasse. Here, the two streams flow at different levels, in particular to ensure the gradient and thus the dynamics of the Dorfbach. The Dorfbach can carry a HQ2 below the Quaistrasse. Rarer events are relieved upstream via a lateral discharge into the lower-lying Giessenbach. This is designed as a covered block set and thus skilfully integrated into the landscape.
Press release:
Zwei neue Brücken über zwei neue Bäche am Quai – Bezirk Küssnacht
Eröffnungsfeier Renaturierung Dorf- und Giessenbach – Bezirk Küssnacht