The Schüttsiel is a small pumping station and lock located on the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein, near the Nordstrand peninsula. It lies between the koogen and dikes of the Beltringharder Koog and the North Sea and serves primarily as a water regulation facility to control the water between the land-side drainage ditches and the North Sea.
The Schüttsiel plays an essential role in the regional coastal protection and water management system. It was built to protect the inland from flooding by allowing excess water from the agricultural land of the Koog areas to be discharged into the North Sea in a controlled manner. The locks and pumping stations are responsible for discharging water at low tide and preventing the ingress of seawater at high tide.
Another important feature of the Schüttsiel is its importance for shipping and tourism in the region. It allows smaller boats and sport fishermen access to the coastal waters and also serves as a starting point for trips to the Wadden Sea and the surrounding islands. Due to its proximity to popular destinations such as the Halligwelt and the Beltringharder Koog, the Schüttsiel offers a good starting point for exploring the unique nature and wildlife of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park.
The area around the Schüttsiel is particularly popular with nature lovers and cyclists as it offers a combination of scenic beauty and technical engineering. The paths along the dikes invite you to go on long hikes and bike rides, where you can enjoy the vastness of the North Frisian coastal landscape and the fresh sea breeze.
In addition, there are numerous opportunities for bird watching in the area, especially during the migration periods in spring and autumn, when many waders and water birds stop here. The region is a paradise for ornithologists and nature photographers who appreciate the diverse bird life and the picturesque sunsets over the North Sea.