New rainwater canal on Kladower Damm: construction work will start soon!

New rainwater canal on Kladower Damm: construction work will start soon!

In the Berlin district of Spandau, the recent rains have highlighted the need for comprehensive construction measures for rainwater management. In order to solve the problems with flooded streets and properties, the authorities are implementing various repair and construction projects.

The focus is particularly on the Kladower Damm, where repair work on three defective storm drains in the direction of Spandau began on September 10, 2025. These processes are heavily loaded and required not only relocation to the curb area, but also extensive work on the roadway and curbs. The construction work will be carried out in two phases. From September 10th to 26th there will be a partial closure with traffic lights, while from September 26th to October 2nd a full closure of Kladower Damm at house numbers 44 to 86 will be necessary. A diversion will be set up via Potsdamer Chaussee and Wilhelmstrasse so that access to house number 55, which houses an allotment garden colony and an education center, is not possible during the total closure. The residents were informed in advance about the measures in order to prevent the inconvenience, as berlin.de reports.

Stormwater management projects

Parallel to the work on Kladower Damm, a controversial rainwater concept is being implemented for the spa promenade and surrounding streets in Spandau. When construction work begins on March 4, 2024, the streets in the former Wochenend West settlement in Kladow, which are regularly flooded during heavy rain, are to be renovated. Rainwater flows uncontrollably onto properties and into Lake Groß-Glienicker See, which causes significant environmental problems. In the first construction phase, a central rainwater collection basin and a rainwater canal in the connecting path to Seekorso will be completed. This also includes extensive renovation work on the spa promenade on a 700 meter long section between Ritterfelddamm and the Seekorso car park, with expected completion in June 2024 moz.de reports.

The feedback from residents led to a citizen dialogue between the district office, various authorities and nature conservation associations, which took place in eleven meetings from 2017 to 2019. This led to a compromise that reduced the amount of tree felling required and provided for replacement planting within the settlement. The planned street space of ten meters takes into account the entrance and exit for emergency vehicles, garbage collection and heating oil suppliers as well as sidewalks and cycle paths and parking options.

Role of stormwater management

Stormwater management measures are becoming increasingly important, particularly to prevent flooding and ensure water quality. There is a wide range of measures available, from unsealing areas to using permeable surfaces and using rainwater. In urban areas like Spandau, it is important to efficiently process and percolate rainwater to support the water cycle and minimize the burden on wastewater systems. The Water Resources Act requires rainwater to seep away locally, although the Brandenburg Water Act requires that this seep away as long as there is no fear of groundwater contamination, as umweltbundesamt.de explains.

Through the targeted application of such strategies, it is hoped to minimize future flood events in Spandau and sustainably improve the quality of life of residents.