Water Protection; Flood Protection in Erlangen

As a city located on the Regnitz, Schwabach, Aurach, and Seebach rivers, Erlangen is generally susceptible to flooding. However, the known flood-prone areas within the city limits are largely undeveloped, and—particularly along the Regnitz—there are extensive floodplains available for flood retention, so there has been no major damage from flooding in recent years.

Nevertheless, Erlangen is also connected to the flood information service of the Bavarian Water Management Administration.

Along the Regnitz and Schwabach rivers within the city limits, there are gauging stations where water levels are regularly measured and recorded. The Bavarian State Office for Water Management publishes the current water levels and characteristic discharge data for the Regnitz and Schwabach rivers on its website.

If water levels exceed certain thresholds, the Flood Information Service takes action and, depending on the alert level, notifies municipalities and the public.

You can also find out about the locations of floodplains in Erlangen, as well as requirements for heating oil storage and the handling of water-polluting substances.

The central focus of preventive flood protection is to preserve or restore the natural retention areas of water bodies. Therefore, construction or filling in of floodplains is prohibited.

For existing buildings in flood-prone areas, the Federal Ministry of Transport, Construction, and Housing provides tips in a flood protection guide on how to protect buildings and their contents against flooding and rising groundwater. You can find more information here.