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Simulation · Minimal Water · By the river

Koblenz · German Corner – where the Moselle flows into the Rhine

The confluence of Moselle and Rhine as a model: wells in the gravel of the Oberwerth, a service reservoir on the slope at Ehrenbreitstein and districts that fill up along the contour lines in a flood.

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Real are location, terrain and buildings (OpenStreetMap, heights from SRTM and EU-DEM). The position of the facilities is based on OpenStreetMap and public information; the pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified. It is not an operations control and not a planning tool. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.

At the German Corner the Moselle flows into the Rhine; in December 1993 the Rhine at Koblenz rose to about 9.50 metres, and a quarter of the city centre stood under water. In the model the drinking water nevertheless comes from underground: wells on the Oberwerth draw groundwater from the gravel of the Neuwied Basin, which the Rhine keeps refilling. A pumping station lifts it into the service reservoir on the slope at Ehrenbreitstein, about 60 metres above the Rhine, and from there it flows under its own pressure into the old town, Lützel, Neuendorf, the southern suburb and Moselweiß.

Three controls move the whole landscape: rain, heat and consumption, plus the weather situations normal year, hot summer, drought and heavy rain. In heavy rain the floodplain and low-lying districts fill up along the contour lines; in a drought the river narrows and the fields and woods on the slopes wither. You see why supply from the gravel holds even at low water.

Real are location, terrain and buildings. The pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified: quantities and processes are model assumptions. The page is for schools and universities, exhibitions, municipalities, and for water supply and civil protection where the aim is to understand connections.

The path of water

  1. 01

    the Rhine refills the gravel

  2. 02

    wells on the Oberwerth raise the groundwater

  3. 03

    the pumping station lifts it to the reservoir on the Ehrenbreitstein slope

  4. 04

    under its own pressure into the old town, Lützel, Neuendorf, the southern suburb and Moselweiß

  5. 05

    the sewer carries the wastewater out of the area to the treatment plant

Water shapes the land

01

Water shapes the land

Koblenz · German Corner: At the German Corner the Moselle flows into the Rhine; drinking water comes from the gravel beneath the Oberwerth and flows from the hillside reservoir into the valleys.

The path of water

02

The path of water

Glowing pipes – the path of the water as one continuous line, the waves run with the speed and direction of the flow.

What is shown – why – for whom

What is shown Why For whom
Oberwerth waterworks with wells in the gravel WhyShows why supply holds even at low water. For whomteaching, water supply
Ehrenbreitstein service reservoir, about 60 m above the Rhine WhyShows how a slope supplies the pressure for the valleys on both sides of the river. For whomteaching, exhibition
Old town at the German Corner WhyShows where Moselle and Rhine join and where the town lies closest to the water. For whomexhibition, local history
Southern suburb, Lützel, Neuendorf and Moselweiß WhyShows the districts on both sides of the Moselle that the service reservoir supplies. For whommunicipalities, teaching
Rauental commercial area between railway and Moselle WhyShows a large consumer in the valley. For whomteaching, water supply
Floodplain and contour lines in heavy rain WhyShows where the water stands first when Rhine and Moselle rise. For whomcivil protection, schools
Three controls and four weather situations WhyShows connections in the model, not a statement about reality. For whomteaching, education
The city from within

03

The city from within

Wastewater – From the house through the sewer to the plant.

When things get tight

04

When things get tight

Forest fire – in drought and great heat a glowing front eats through the forest, rain puts it out.

Films from the model

  • Above Koblenz · German Corner

    A flight across the area: low angles with sky, two rivers meet, above them the slope with the service reservoir, then over the town to the long shot – with the sound of the landscape.

  • The path of water

    From the source via the works and the storage into the town, through the sewer and back into the river: station by station, the pipes glowing.

  • The city opens up

    Beneath the streets: first the pipes, then the open cross-section, wastewater, rainwater in heavy rain, greywater – and everything together.

  • A water year

    A normal year, then heat and drought: fields wither, the river narrows, the forest burns – then heavy rain, thunderstorm and flood. The landscape answers in real time.

  • Pipe burst and flood

    First a main bursts: the spot pulses red, a crew drives out, the storage carries the town. Then heavy rain: the water rises by elevation into floodplain and districts.

  • Using the software

    With the full interface: tap weather situations, pull levers, look at stations on the wheel and consequences – every effect shows at once on the map.

Facilities and landscape in the model

  • Oberwerth waterworks

    Wells on the Oberwerth draw groundwater from the gravel of the Neuwied basin, which the Rhine keeps refilling – so supply holds even at low water.

  • Ehrenbreitstein reservoir

    Storage on the slope below the fortress, about 60 m above the Rhine. From here water flows under its own pressure into the valleys on both sides of the river.

  • Old town

    The old town at the German Corner, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine.

  • Southern suburb

    Residential area between the station and the Rhine.

  • Lützel

    District north of the Moselle.

  • Neuendorf

    Old rafting village on the Rhine, north of the Moselle.

  • Rauental industry

    Businesses between railway and Moselle.

  • Moselweiß

    District on the bank of the Moselle.

Thunderstorm

05

Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm – lightning in view, the cloud lights up from within around the strike, the cover tears open along the line of sight.

Flood by contour lines

06

Flood by contour lines

Flood by contour lines – the floodplain and low-lying districts fill up bit by bit, with a dirty rim of foam.

Processes in the model

The path of water

  1. 01the Rhine refills the gravel
  2. 02wells on the Oberwerth raise the groundwater
  3. 03the pumping station lifts it to the reservoir on the Ehrenbreitstein slope
  4. 04under its own pressure into the old town, Lützel, Neuendorf, the southern suburb and Moselweiß
  5. 05the sewer carries the wastewater out of the area to the treatment plant

Heat and drought

  1. 01no rain and great heat
  2. 02the soil dries out, the river narrows
  3. 03the fields wither first
  4. 04the forest dies and burns, rain puts it out
  5. 05water runs short in the town, the storage empties
  6. 06rain brings soil, river and harvest back quickly; dead forest takes far longer

Heavy rain and flood

  1. 01the soil soaks up all it can
  2. 02what it cannot hold rushes into streams and the river
  3. 03the floodplain and low-lying districts fill by contour line
  4. 04sewers and treatment plant reach their limit
  5. 05after the rain the water falls again

Pipe burst

  1. 01a pipe bursts, water escapes
  2. 02a crew drives out from the depot
  3. 03the section is shut off
  4. 04the storage carries the town
  5. 05after the repair the pipe goes back into service

What the model can be used for

  • Understanding floods

    Why does the city centre at the confluence fill up first? Heavy rain fills the floodplain and low-lying districts along the contour lines, and after the rain the water falls again.

    For whomcivil protection, municipalities, schools

  • Explaining water supply

    Wells, gravel, pumping station and service reservoir one after the other: the groundwater comes from the gravel that the Rhine refills, and the slope supplies the pressure.

    For whomwater supply, universities, training

  • School and university

    Terms like gravel aquifer, gauge, ring main and contour line sit where they act and can be shown on the districts.

    For whomschools, universities

  • Museum and exhibition

    The German Corner as the place where two rivers meet: the model shows town, waterworks and flood situation in one picture.

    For whommuseums, exhibitions, local history

The course

07

The course

The course – two rivers meet, above them the slope with the service reservoir; waves and foam move with the current in real time.

The whole software

08

The whole software

Hot summer with one tap – the levers visibly move there, the camera follows the effect, below a sentence explains what is happening.

What you can change

Controls

  • Rain: From drought to storm: rain fills soil, groundwater and river; little rain lets everything dry out, a lot of it lets it overflow.
  • Heat: Up to four degrees more: more evaporates from lakes, fields and trees, and everyone needs more water.
  • Consumption: From frugal to wasteful: wasteful speeds up the shortage, frugal delays it.
  • Weather situations: Normal year, Hot summer, Drought, Heavy rain: One tap sets all three levers, they visibly move there, and the view goes to where the effect shows.

Disruptions

  • Water shortage: Water is running short in town: the first homes are without water – people are moving away.
  • Failed harvest: The fields are withering – the harvest fails, food becomes scarce and expensive.
  • Fish die-off: The river is shallow and warm, oxygen is running out – the fish are dying.
  • Flood: Flood! The river bursts its banks, the sewers overflow – untreated water flows into the river.
  • Health: Without enough clean water, health suffers: heat, poor hygiene, disease. Ambulances are on their way.
  • Forest fire: The dry forest is burning. Fire crews are on their way – but without water there is nothing to fight it with.
  • Tree dieback: The trees are dying. It takes decades for a forest to grow back.
  • Pipe burst: Pipe bursts hit lines, never a single building; the storage carries the town until the crew has repaired the section.
  • The extreme: Everything is parched: no water, no harvest, no trees, no animals. Life is no longer possible here.

What the model brings

  • 01

    The real location as a stage

    Two rivers, a slope and an old town at the German Corner stand on terrain from OpenStreetMap and elevation data. You show the place as it lies.

  • 02

    Water from underground, step by step

    From the gravel via wells and pumping station into the districts, the path can be shown one stage at a time. You understand it before you change anything.

  • 03

    Situations without damage

    Flood, drought, pipe burst: you see where it gets tight first, and set it back. A pipe burst hits a pipe, never a single building.

  • 04

    In the browser, with one tap

    The model runs in the browser. One tap sets rain, heat and consumption together to a weather situation.

  • Koblenz · German Corner: At the German Corner the Moselle flows into the Rhine; drinking water comes from the gravel beneath the Oberwerth and flows from the hillside reservoir into the valleys.
    Koblenz · German Corner: At the German Corner the Moselle flows into the Rhine; drinking water comes from the gravel beneath the Oberwerth and flows from the hillside reservoir into the valleys.
  • Koblenz · German Corner in the evening – low sun, long shadows, the water mirrors the sky.
    Koblenz · German Corner in the evening – low sun, long shadows, the water mirrors the sky.
  • Morning at the German Corner – haze over the land, terrain and buildings come from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
    Morning at the German Corner – haze over the land, terrain and buildings come from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
  • The course – two rivers meet, above them the slope with the service reservoir; waves and foam move with the current in real time.
    The course – two rivers meet, above them the slope with the service reservoir; waves and foam move with the current in real time.
  • Far across the land – forest, fields and settlements hang on the same water.
    Far across the land – forest, fields and settlements hang on the same water.
  • Old town from outside – every house a block, warm in the evening light.
    Old town from outside – every house a block, warm in the evening light.
  • Dusk at the German Corner – the houses grow darker, the last glow lies over the land.
    Dusk at the German Corner – the houses grow darker, the last glow lies over the land.
  • Forest – deciduous trees with trunk and crown, conifers in stands; here the cycle begins with the rain that stays in the soil.
    Forest – deciduous trees with trunk and crown, conifers in stands; here the cycle begins with the rain that stays in the soil.
  • Fields and meadows – the rows grow with the harvest and wither in the drought; the soil is a sponge.
    Fields and meadows – the rows grow with the harvest and wither in the drought; the soil is a sponge.
  • Koblenz · German Corner from above at an angle – the whole area as a model of blocks, with the network at its centre.
    Koblenz · German Corner from above at an angle – the whole area as a model of blocks, with the network at its centre.
  • The source – the waterworks by the Rhine: it depends on the river and on the groundwater the river refills.
    The source – the waterworks by the Rhine: it depends on the river and on the groundwater the river refills.
  • Oberwerth waterworks – Wells on the Oberwerth draw groundwater from the gravel of the Neuwied basin, which the Rhine keeps refilling – so supply holds even at low water.
    Oberwerth waterworks – Wells on the Oberwerth draw groundwater from the gravel of the Neuwied basin, which the Rhine keeps refilling – so supply holds even at low water.
  • Ehrenbreitstein reservoir – Storage on the slope below the fortress, about 60 m above the Rhine. From here water flows under its own pressure into the valleys on both sides of the river.
    Ehrenbreitstein reservoir – Storage on the slope below the fortress, about 60 m above the Rhine. From here water flows under its own pressure into the valleys on both sides of the river.
  • Glowing pipes – the path of the water as one continuous line, the waves run with the speed and direction of the flow.
    Glowing pipes – the path of the water as one continuous line, the waves run with the speed and direction of the flow.
  • Old town – The old town at the German Corner, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine.
    Old town – The old town at the German Corner, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine.
  • Back in the river – what has been cleaned flows back in; downstream the cycle starts again.
    Back in the river – what has been cleaned flows back in; downstream the cycle starts again.
  • The city from within – pipes and connections: width by flow, light runs from the reservoir to the houses.
    The city from within – pipes and connections: width by flow, light runs from the reservoir to the houses.
  • Cross-section – the ground opens up, pipes lie exposed beneath the streets.
    Cross-section – the ground opens up, pipes lie exposed beneath the streets.
  • Wastewater – From the house through the sewer to the plant.
    Wastewater – From the house through the sewer to the plant.
  • Rainwater – sealed surfaces drain off: what does not soak away runs over streets and through sewers.
    Rainwater – sealed surfaces drain off: what does not soak away runs over streets and through sewers.
  • All at a glance – drinking water and sewer together: what flows into the houses runs out again below.
    All at a glance – drinking water and sewer together: what flows into the houses runs out again below.
  • Hot summer – little rain, more evaporation: the soil dries out, people need more, the town’s storage sinks.
    Hot summer – little rain, more evaporation: the soil dries out, people need more, the town’s storage sinks.
  • Drought – the fields wither first: green turns to straw, the rows wilt, the harvest fails.
    Drought – the fields wither first: green turns to straw, the rows wilt, the harvest fails.
  • Low water – the river carries very little, grows narrow and warm; oxygen runs short and the fish die.
    Low water – the river carries very little, grows narrow and warm; oxygen runs short and the fish die.
  • Forest fire – in drought and great heat a glowing front eats through the forest, rain puts it out.
    Forest fire – in drought and great heat a glowing front eats through the forest, rain puts it out.
  • Smoke over the land – the fires carry dark columns, lit from within, visible from afar.
    Smoke over the land – the fires carry dark columns, lit from within, visible from afar.
  • What remains – fields and town recover quickly, dead and burnt forest stays visible for a long time.
    What remains – fields and town recover quickly, dead and burnt forest stays visible for a long time.
  • Heavy rain – it grows dark, dense rain sweeps over the land, the soils soak up all they can.
    Heavy rain – it grows dark, dense rain sweeps over the land, the soils soak up all they can.
  • Thunderstorm – lightning in view, the cloud lights up from within around the strike, the cover tears open along the line of sight.
    Thunderstorm – lightning in view, the cloud lights up from within around the strike, the cover tears open along the line of sight.
  • Flood by contour lines – the floodplain and low-lying districts fill up bit by bit, with a dirty rim of foam.
    Flood by contour lines – the floodplain and low-lying districts fill up bit by bit, with a dirty rim of foam.
  • Water among the houses – what lies lowest floods first; the model reaches up to six metres above mean water level.
    Water among the houses – what lies lowest floods first; the model reaches up to six metres above mean water level.
  • Pipe burst – the line pulses red, water escapes; a crew is called out.
    Pipe burst – the line pulses red, water escapes; a crew is called out.
  • Shut off – a crew drives out, the section stands still, the storage carries the town until the repair is done.
    Shut off – a crew drives out, the section stands still, the storage carries the town until the repair is done.
  • The districts by name – above the map stand the quarters, at the top water in the city, storage and the five consequences.
    The districts by name – above the map stand the quarters, at the top water in the city, storage and the five consequences.
  • Old town and the neighbouring districts – each name shows with a bar how well the district is supplied.
    Old town and the neighbouring districts – each name shows with a bar how well the district is supplied.
  • Signs on the map – when a consequence turns critical, its sign stands where it happens: fields wither, forest dies, no water.
    Signs on the map – when a consequence turns critical, its sign stands where it happens: fields wither, forest dies, no water.
  • The whole software – at the top water in the city and five consequences, on the right the wheel of the cycle, below four weather situations and three levers.
    The whole software – at the top water in the city and five consequences, on the right the wheel of the cycle, below four weather situations and three levers.
  • Hot summer with one tap – the levers visibly move there, the camera follows the effect, below a sentence explains what is happening.
    Hot summer with one tap – the levers visibly move there, the camera follows the effect, below a sentence explains what is happening.
  • One lever, visible at once – consumption set to wasteful: the town needs more, the storage sinks, an arrow at the top shows the direction.
    One lever, visible at once – consumption set to wasteful: the town needs more, the storage sinks, an arrow at the top shows the direction.
  • The wheel explains – station River tapped: The river lives on groundwater and rain. In a drought it becomes narrow and warm.
    The wheel explains – station River tapped: The river lives on groundwater and rain. In a drought it becomes narrow and warm.
  • Tap a consequence – Nature: the bar at the top explains what water means for people and nature.
    Tap a consequence – Nature: the bar at the top explains what water means for people and nature.
  • Drought in the interface – the consequences turn red, signs stand on the map, the subtitle says what comes next.
    Drought in the interface – the consequences turn red, signs stand on the map, the subtitle says what comes next.
  • Twelve water landscapes – confluences, dams and large lakes across Germany, each in its real place.
    Twelve water landscapes – confluences, dams and large lakes across Germany, each in its real place.
  • The introduction – four cards say what it is about and how to use it.
    The introduction – four cards say what it is about and how to use it.

Your area as a model

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Minimal Water: Koblenz · Deutsches Eck – wo die Mosel in den Rhein fließt

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Basis and limits

Terrain and buildings: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), elevation: Mapzen/Tilezen Terrain Tiles (SRTM, EU-DEM). Facility locations follow OpenStreetMap and public utility information; pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified. Simplified educational model – not a real control system and not a planning tool.

Public sources the model is based on:

  • Terrain and buildings: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
  • Elevation: Mapzen/Tilezen Terrain Tiles (SRTM, EU-DEM)

More areas in the model

← Minimal Water

Real are location, terrain and buildings (OpenStreetMap, heights from SRTM and EU-DEM). The position of the facilities is based on OpenStreetMap and public information; the pipe network, sizes, demand and operation are invented and simplified. It is not an operations control and not a planning tool…