Waterworks park open to visitors again
The waterworks park in the Altchemnitz district of Chemnitz is open again: After the floods at the beginning of June, the waterworks park had to be closed to passers-by and walkers. The Zwönitz had deeply washed out the nature trail and hiking path when it emerged from its riverbed. At the same time, the flood also damaged the foundation connection, wooden panelling and railings of the pedestrian bridge there to such an extent that the structure was no longer safe to cross.
The Environmental Agency, which is responsible for the waterworks park due to nature conservation concerns, removed the flotsam that had washed up as an immediate measure. The damage then had to be recorded and documented. In addition to the damage mentioned above, the damage to be repaired also included silt in the pond and ditch as well as damage to the banks and bed of the ditch.
With funds from the emergency aid programme, the Environment Agency was able to initiate repairs to the bridge and path back in July. The civil engineering department drew up a list of services and awarded the contract to a company. The company began building the path at the end of August and a little later repaired the footbridge. The work has now been completed and the waterworks park is once again open to visitors. Remaining damage has been included in the action plan and will be supported by funding applications once this has been confirmed.
For several months now, construction work has also been underway in the waterworks park to rebuild the Zwönitz weir. This is a compensatory measure by the state dam administration. It is intended to enable the passage of the Zwönitz for migratory aquatic life. There may still be temporary restrictions for park visitors at this construction site.
Incidentally, the waterworks park contains four natural monuments and parts of the "Zwönitz Valley" flora and fauna habitat area (FFH area), which is protected under European law, and is more suitable than any other area in the city for observing nature.