Speicherbecken Geeste Live Cam

History of the Speicherbecken Geeste

Constructed between 1972 and 1978, the Speicherbecken Geeste stands as a testament to Germany’s innovative approach to flood control and regional water management. Prior to its creation, the Geeste River—an arterial tributary feeding into the Ems—was prone to seasonal flooding, causing widespread damage to agricultural lands and nearby settlements such as Lingen and Thuine. In response to the devastating winter floods of 1969, which submerged thousands of hectares of peat meadows and disrupted rail and road links, planners devised the concept of an artificial retention basin. Excavation began in spring 1972, mobilizing over 10,000 cubic meters of earthmoving equipment. Local engineers incorporated lessons learned from the Rhine’s post-war flood protection program, adapting dam design and spillway technology to the unique hydrological characteristics of the Ems catchment.