Nature conservation, island and coastal protection, and flood defences: providing, warning, safeguarding, preserving

The NLWKN is the state agency for secure dykes, clean water and the preservation of biological diversity. Around 1500 employees work for the NLWKN on behalf of people and the environment in eleven operational units and at the agency headquarters in Norden, at depots and nature conservation stations, at flood barriers, in the laboratory and other facilities throughout Lower Saxony. With its expertise covering coastal and water protection, nature prevention and radiation protection, together with the data generated on a daily basis by thousands of measurements and surveys, the state agency provides necessary criteria for taking important decisions on related issues for the whole region between the North Sea coast and the Harz mountains.

The NLWKN is present throughout the Northwest with its operational unitsin Aurich and Norden, the nature conservation stations Fehntjer Tief and Ems, twelve depots, several water management structures such as the Ems barrier in Gandersum or the Kesselschleuse lock in Emden, and hundreds of kilometres of waterways belonging to the state. Furthermore, local authorities, coastal regions and those living near the rivers keep an eye on levels and forecasts provided by the NLWKN central flood prediction agency and storm surge warning service, together with the situational data collected by the state agency regarding natural conditions, surface water and ground water.

With the state of Lower Saxony being responsible for flood protection of theislands, maintenance of most of the island defence systems lies in the hands of the operational unit in Norden. This includes 35 kilometres of dykes and 97 kilometres of protective sand dunes, together with revetments and groynes. NLWKN multi-purpose vessels such as the “ Leyhörn” and the “Leysand” act as part of the fleet of equipment involved in performing the coastal protection tasks. They are also used as response vessels to deal with oil and pollution incidents in the mud flats.

On the mainland, the NLWKN operational units in Aurich and Norden maintain flood defence structures and water management facilities, work with their partners in the region to plan and construct new dykes and flood barriers, and also pursue research, for example at the coastal research station in Norden, looking into strategies to be well prepared to meet current and future challenges, resulting for instance from climate change. The state agency also benefits in its project work from the nature conservation expertise in its own establishment: with its nature conservation projects, the State Bird Observatory, the nature conservation stations and other similar activities.

In dealing with all these tasks, the state agency can rely on the commitment and professional expertise of biologists, scientists and hydraulic engineers as well as administration staff, IT experts, samplers, lock attendants, vessel crews and volunteers. They do their best every day – for people and the environment. For Lower Saxony.