Aa level lowered for town hall renovation

As part of the renovation of the town hall on Berliner Platz, the level of the Bocholter Aa has now been lowered. This is particularly necessary for the construction of the excavation pit for the backstage of the theatre, the erection of the scaffolding at the town hall and the renovation of the external supports.

The Münster district government authorised the measure as the responsible water authority. The work is being closely monitored from an ecological perspective so that animals and plants are affected as little as possible by the lowering of the water level.

Overall, the water level was lowered by around 2.30 metres. This is particularly necessary for the construction of the excavation pit for the theatre's backstage, the erection of scaffolding at the town hall and the renovation of the building's external supports. To this end, the weir at the city lock was opened so that the water has been flowing out unhindered since then.

The authorisation for the measure is valid until July 2027 and the water level will be raised to its original level once the work has been completed. Ecological construction monitoring was commissioned to ensure the ecological balance.

This organisation is continuously monitoring the lowering and advising the city of Bocholt on the necessary protective measures. For example, checks were carried out on the watercourse and residual water areas during the lowering process to ensure that no animals living in the water were affected. Residual water volumes were also analysed in the ditch at the town hall.

The lowering was also reported to the authorised fisherman and the Westphalia and Lippe State Fishing Association. The strict conditions of the water permit ensure that fish, small animals and breeding grounds are not affected, according to the city of Bocholt.