Hof Emscher-Auen and Ickern-Mengede Flood Retention Basin

As a layperson, one can hardly imagine “flow management”. Perhaps you first think of pumping stations, sewage treatment plants, dykes or barrages - which is all right. But managing a river also means creating a landscape. And why shouldn't a flood retention basin necessary for flood protection, for example, also be a local recreation area? This is how the Emschergenossenschaft thought when it created the Hof Emscher-Auen, a new excursion destination in the northern curve of the river, in 2017. Here you can also marvel at a special work of art: the reinforced concrete construction "Black Circle Square" (2016) by Massimo Bartolinis.

In the event of heavy rainfall, the Emscher's runoff is slowed here and dammed up within the retention basin. Incidentally, these are the largest along the entire Emscher and have a total capacity of 1.1 million cubic meters - that corresponds to around seven million bathtubs.

More information about the Emscher-Auen farm and the other three farms that the Emschergenossenschaft operates between the source and the mouth of the Emscher along the Emscher-Weg together with local partners can be found here: eglv.de/emscher/emscher- yard /.

Hof Emscher Valley with Cafe (Castrop-Rauxel)

In April 2017, the Emschergenossenschaft opened the new café in the new Hof Emscher Valley at the flood retention basin in Ickern / Mengede. The café is a welcome addition to cyclists and walkers. The Emschergenossenschaft expressly points out that the farm is very difficult to reach by car and there is no parking! Cyclists and pedestrians are therefore clearly in the advantage!

* Opening hours and offer *
In the future, the farm will be open from 2 pm to 6 pm on Fridays and from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Offered are small snacks, cold drinks and coffee and cake, which can be taken in good weather on the sun terrace.

The Café and the Hof Emscher Valley are located directly on the flood retention basin Ickern-Mengede (HRB Mengede). The Emschergenossenschaft has built the facility from 2011 to 2013, in the coming years the Emscher will be redesigned within the basin once again.

It is really great, what was created here, it can be observed many birds and in the café a small delicious break.