The renaturation of the Lenne near Hagen is a major ecological project that aims to return the river from its previous straightening and construction to a more natural state. In the past, the Lenne was straightened as part of industrialization to make room for commercial areas and reduce the risk of flooding. As part of the renaturation, the riverbed will now be widened again to a length of around 2.4 kilometers to create natural riparian zones and floodplain landscapes. This promotes biodiversity, in particular the return of species such as the sand martin and the little ringed plover, which breed in the newly designed habitats.
The project is being run in several construction phases and is expected to cost a total of 6.5 million euros. These measures will not only improve the ecological condition of the Lenne, but also the attractiveness of the area for local recreation. Walkers and cyclists will benefit from new, natural paths along the river. In addition, the renaturation also offers better protection against flooding, as the natural river courses and floodplains have a stronger buffer function.
What is particularly exciting is that after the renaturation, the Lenne will in some places be up to four times as wide as before. This allows the river to move and change naturally, which improves the river dynamics and self-cleaning power. Overall, an idyllic floodplain is created that brings nature and leisure into harmony.