GETTING TO THE BOTTOM - Design enhancement of low water levels of reservoirs

Recently, the effects of climate change can be seen in the landscape. It can be noticed that reservoirs are effected as well by these developments. The master‘s thesis deals with low water levels at reservoirs and the interface between the hydraulic engineering structure of a dam, the related water movements and the quality of open spaces. The reasons for this examination are the low water levels caused by the water management and the climate-related water supply. This leads to an enormous conflict potential for the various stakeholders.

At low tide, temporary areas become available which are of no use from a hydraulic engineering point of view. The tourism, especially the water-dependent tourism, is particularly affected. Nevertheless, low water levels and the water movements in general produce fascinating, diverse and unexpected landscapes. Starting from different design situations of the study area the thesis investigates whether a design can transform low water levels into attractive sceneries. The interventions of sensitive landscape architecture highlight the unique qualities and rearrange them. The reservoir and the bottom of the lake ressamble two worlds which were connected, by redirecting the use of former structures and adapt it for a new purpose. The designs, which are especially adapted to the needs of Lake Edersee, reveal similarities which can be formulated as transferable strategies. Conclusively, the series of strategies which cope with different characteristics of low water levels can be used as a study basis for changing water levels at dams and provides inspirations to increase their attractiveness.