Nature-oriented redesign of the Kocher in Hüttlingen

Prior to the redesign, the Kocher in Hüttlingen was straightened and technically obstructed in the entire local area; a historical weir that was no longer in use created a drop in the riverbed and thus severely restricted the ecological passability of the Kocher. On the basis of the watercourse development plan prepared by Büro Geitz, the municipality of Hüttlingen implemented the sectional near-natural redesign of the Kocher over a total length of approx. 1.5 km over a period of approx. 10 years. The hard barriers were removed, the profile was widened, islands and shallow banks were initiated and a varied, near-natural watercourse profile was created. Where space allowed, the watercourse was given scope for near-natural development. The weir was preserved and restored as a design element to draw attention to the historical use of hydroelectric power. The ecological continuity of the watercourse in the area of the weir was created by the construction of a new side arm. A footpath connection was created across the weir and the new arm by building a new bridge with a steel truss construction. Parallel to the watercourse and in the bank areas, a variety of offers for experiencing the watercourse, such as rows of seating stones, benches and information boards, were also integrated into the redesign.