Key lessons:
The project shows a successful combination of nature conservation, flood protection and other objectives (agricultural, regional development, and others).
It is said that public communication activities should have been made in a more intensive way, in particular at the beginning of the project.
From an ecological perspective, an earlier / deeper connection to the Elbe would have been better to improve the lateral connectivity and morphological dynamic of the river. The latter would have also helped to minimize sedimentation processes in the new floodplain area, which can be expected in the middle and long term.
The highest effect of the measure can be stated next to the first opening of the dyke (on the "evil place") and it decreases towards the downstream part of the dyke relocation. Further downstream from the dyke relocation, the measure does not have any effect anymore on the water level. Upstream, the positive effect diminishes with an increasing distance. This shows that the measure has a very clear, but mainly regionally working impact. In order to solve the important flood problems of the Elbe river, it is indispensible to carry out other dyke relocation measures.
The measures are suitable to be applied also elsewhere. However, areas free of settlement are needed.
The continuous persuasion works from a few - and over several years - is highlighted as one key factor for the successful implementation of the project. The prior implementation of research projects ensured the effectiveness of the measure design, but was also very useful for providing support for public discussion.
Financing difficulties information:
The large costs of the project led to important financing problems. Thanks to the multifunctionality of the measures applied (nature conservation, flood protection), financing from different sources was possible. However, none of them was sufficient on itself.
financing funding solutions:
Different financing sources had been combined to collect sufficient funds. Furthermore, to benefit from all financing sources, a private body was needed as applicant, and an association has been created with different stakeholders for this purpose.
Transferability:
The preconditions in terms of stakeholder engagement were quite particular - going back to changes in the framework of the political turnover in Germany. However, from a technical point of view, dyke relocations can be implemented in any other area were sufficient settlement free areas exist.