Pretziener Wehr, Flood control weir in Schönebeck, Germany.
The Pretziener Wehr is a flood control structure on the Elbe River in Schönebeck with nine openings and 36 gate panels arranged between ten supporting pillars. The total width spans about 113 meters and allows precise management of water flow.
The structure was built between 1871 and 1875 based on plans by Hermann Wurffbain. It was constructed to protect the cities of Schönebeck and Magdeburg from Elbe River flooding.
The Federal Chamber of Engineers recognized the Pretziener Wehr as a historic landmark of civil engineering in Germany in 2015 for its technical advancement.
The structure is clearly visible from the riverbank and can be viewed from various points along the Elbe. The best views are from the paths on both sides of the river, which provide different perspectives of the installation.
During flood events, the installation can redirect about one-third of the Elbe's water volume into a separate relief canal. This engineering approach allows water levels to be stabilized while considering the river ecosystem.
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