Liechtenstein Binnenkanal

inland canal
Artificial body of water built in 1931-43 to drain the Liechtenstein valley. The inland canal crosses Liechtenstein over a length of 24.67 km in a south-north direction. Its catchment area covers 117 km2; In addition, water from the Samina valley is supplied via the Samina plant (approx. 1.5 m3/s).
The reason for the construction was the increasing waterlogging of the valley floor since the 18th century and the restricted outflow of the streams into the Rhine as a result of the rising Rhine bed. From 1834, a canal was built in the Ried between Schaan and Bendern (up to the Esche estuary) as a forerunner of the later inland canal. However, there was no permanent drainage and unhindered outflow of the Rhine feeder. In 1894, the state parliament first discussed the idea of an inland canal that would flow through the whole of Liechtenstein. After the preparation of six reports, the project based on the work of Philipp Krapf, Felix Nesper, Jost Wey and Arnold Fussenegger was implemented by state engineer Josef Vogt.
The construction of the inland canal was accepted by the state parliament on July 7, 1930 (with one dissenting vote) and after a referendum by the municipalities of Balzers, Triesen and Triesenberg on December 14, 1930 in a referendum (1469 yes, 616 no). The function of the canal construction as emergency work (→ job creation) was decisive for the clear assumption, which is considered an act of solidarity between the Oberland and the Unterland, which was particularly affected by the swamp, between workers and farmers and between the parties. The construction took place in stages. At the same time, some streams were regulated and several canals were created. The immense total costs of the inland canal, completed on April 3, 1943, amounted to CHF 4.6 million.
The construction of the inland canal is considered a work of the century. It enabled the final and permanent drainage of the Liechtenstein valley area and thus its intensive agricultural use and settlement. The valley water system and its ecological characteristics have been fundamentally changed (→water bodies). With the exception of the Ruggeller Mölibach (introduction to the Spiersbach), all former Rhine tributaries now flow into the inland canal, which is the only remaining connection to the main body of water in Liechtenstein. In 2000, the natural redesign of the inland canal confluence with the Rhine took place.
Text / Source: Historical Encyclopedia of the Principality of Liechtenstein
historisches-lexikon.li/Binnenkanal

You can also cycle along this one