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WB > Research > Current projects > Coastal Flood Protection Concept Schlei (KÜHKS)

Coastal Flood Protection Concept Schlei (KÜHKS)

Analysis of Flood Protection along the Schlei in the Context of Climate Change

Background

In October 2023, one of the most severe flooding events on the Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein occurred in the north of Kiel. Water levels of up to +2,31 m above mean sea level (Schleswig gauge) were measured along the Schlei. Higher water levels in this area of the Baltic Sea had previously only been recorded in 1872 and 1904.

Figure 1: Flood events in the region since 1872 using the Flensburg gauge as an example (from 1920: annual series – before 1920: individual extreme events) – Data source: WSV and own research
Figure 1: Flood events in the region since 1872 using the Flensburg gauge as an example (from 1920: annual series – before 1920: individual extreme events) – Data source: WSV and own research

Due to these high water levels, flooding and dike breaches occurred at several locations along the Schlei in October 2023. This resulted in significant damage in the region. Against this backdrop, flood protection along the Schlei and the Baltic coast is becoming increasingly important.

The 63,000 ha catchment area (Figure 2) is characterized by predominantly fertile soils and agricultural use, encompassing the landscape areas of Angeln, Schwansen and the eastern part of the Schleswig-Holstein Geest. Events such as the storm surge in October 2023 highlight the need for a flood protection concept adapted to climate change for the entire Schlei region.

Figure 2: Catchment area of the river Schlei (State portal Schleswig-Holstein, 2026)
Figure 2: Catchment area of the river Schlei (State portal Schleswig-Holstein, 2026)

Objectives

The KÜHKS project, taking climate change into account, aims to fundamentally identify, analyze, and comparatively evaluate possible options for future flood protection along the Schlei from both a hydraulic engineering and water management perspective. In addition, selected ecological (protected areas) and economic aspects (costs of construction and maintenance) will also be studied.

A feasibility study will be developed to derive long-term and sustainable options of action for the future. Based on existing research, the study aims to gain further insights into flooding and flood protection in the Schlei region. From these new results, concrete recommendations for future flood protection along the Schlei will be developed. The interests of those directly affected at the municipal level will also be considered.

Climate change has diverse consequences for the Baltic Sea coast and thus also for the Schlei river. The investigations within the scope of this project therefore provide a basis for analyzing and evaluating the most concrete adaptation options possible, to reduce the impacts of climate change on flood protection. Essentially, three different climate scenarios for sea-level rise are considered:

  • “Short-term scenario” (until 2050) with a sea-level rise of +0.25 m,
  • “Long-term scenario” (until 2100) with a sea-level rise of +0.75 m,
  • “Extreme scenario” with a sea-level rise of +2.00 m.

Project procedure

The flood protection study is divided into six work packages. Each work package includes clearly defined objectives:

  • WP1: Background and Inventory – Baseline Definition
  • WP2: Adaptation Strategies and Packages of Measures
  • WP3: Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management
  • WP4: Ecological Aspects
  • WP5: Determination of the Costs for Construction and Maintenance of the Options
  • WP6: Concept Comparison, Fundamental Feasibility

Project participants

Project duration

  • Duration: April 1, 2025 – April 30, 2027
  • Total duration: 2 years
TU Hamburg
Institute of River and Coastal Engineering
B-10
Denickestraße 22 (Gebäude I)
21073 Hamburg
E-mail : wasserbau.office(at)tuhh.de
Phone : +49 40 30601-3761
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