Skip to content
cube4devcube4dev
Explore & search Contact
EN
DeutschEnglishEspañolFrançaisItaliano简体中文日本語

Simulation · Minimal Water · By the river

Passau · Three Rivers – Danube, Inn and Ilz

Three rivers at a spit of land as a model: wells on the Danube island of Soldatenau, a service reservoir high on the Ries and an old town that is the first to go under in a flood.

Start with passwordRequest the password if you are interested →

Trailer

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.

In Passau three rivers meet: the Danube, the green Inn from the Alps and the dark Ilz from the Bavarian Forest. In June 2013 the Danube rose to 12.89 metres, higher than at any time since 1501. In the model the drinking water comes from an island that belongs to Austria: wells on the Soldatenau draw groundwater that has been filtered for kilometres through gravel and soil. The pumping station lifts it into the service reservoir on the Ries, at 430 m, and from there it flows to the old town, Innstadt, Ilzstadt and up onto the heights.

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 old town on the narrow spit of land fills first; in a drought the rivers narrow and the woods all around burn. The wastewater runs through the sewer to the sewage plant and, cleaned, back into the river.

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 flood situations.

The path of water

  1. 01

    wells on the Danube island of Soldatenau raise groundwater

  2. 02

    the waterworks takes it in

  3. 03

    the pumping station lifts it to the reservoir on the Ries, at about 430 m

  4. 04

    down into the old town, Innstadt, Ilzstadt and the heights

  5. 05

    through the sewer to the treatment plant and cleaned back into the river

Water shapes the land

01

Water shapes the land

Passau · Three Rivers: In Passau the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet; the old town lies on the narrow spit of land, and the drinking water comes from wells on an island in the Danube.

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
Danube, Inn and Ilz at the confluence WhyShows where the three rivers come together and how different they look. For whomexhibition, teaching
Achleiten waterworks with wells on the Soldatenau WhyShows filtered groundwater from a river island. For whomteaching, water supply
Ries service reservoir at about 430 m WhyShows how a high reservoir sends the water down into all the valleys. For whomteaching, municipalities
Old town on the spit between Danube and Inn WhyShows the district that is the first to go under in a flood. For whomcivil protection, schools
Haidenhof, Innstadt, Grubweg, Hacklberg, Ilzstadt and Lindau WhyShows districts on slopes and banks that are affected differently. For whommunicipalities, teaching
Sewer and sewage plant WhyShows where the wastewater goes and when the plant overflows in a storm. For whommunicipalities, civil protection
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 Passau · Three Rivers

    A flight across the area: low angles with sky, three rivers run together around the narrow spit, 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

  • Achleiten waterworks

    The wells stand on the Danube island of Soldatenau – it belongs to Austria. They draw groundwater filtered through kilometres of gravel and soil.

  • Ries reservoir

    Storage high on the Ries above the city (about 430 m) – from here water flows down into every valley.

  • Old town

    The old town on the narrow spit between Danube and Inn – first to flood.

  • Haidenhof

    Residential area high above the Inn in the south.

  • Innstadt

    On the right bank of the Inn.

  • Grubweg

    Residential area on the heights above the Ilz.

  • Hacklberg

    On the slope north of the Danube.

  • Ilzstadt

    Where the dark Ilz from the Bavarian Forest flows into the Danube.

  • Lindau

    District downstream on the Danube.

  • Treatment plant

    The treatment plant cleans the waste water and returns it to the river. In a storm it overflows.

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. 01wells on the Danube island of Soldatenau raise groundwater
  2. 02the waterworks takes it in
  3. 03the pumping station lifts it to the reservoir on the Ries, at about 430 m
  4. 04down into the old town, Innstadt, Ilzstadt and the heights
  5. 05through the sewer to the treatment plant and cleaned back into the river

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

  • Flood at the spit of land

    Why does the old town of Passau fill up first? The heavy-rain situation fills the floodplain and low-lying districts along the contour lines, and after the rain the water falls again.

    For whomcivil protection, municipalities, schools

  • Water from the other bank

    The wells stand on a Danube island that belongs to Austria, the service reservoir high above the town. The model shows the way across border, river and slope.

    For whomwater supply, universities, training

  • School and university

    Confluence, river gauge level, river island and overflow sit where they act and can be shown on the town.

    For whomschools, universities

  • Museum and exhibition

    Three rivers in three colours and a town in between: the model shows why Passau lies where it does and where the water goes.

    For whommuseums, exhibitions, local history

The course

07

The course

The course – three rivers run together around the narrow spit; 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 town as a stage

    Spit of land, rivers and slopes stand on terrain from OpenStreetMap and elevation data. You show Passau as it lies, not as a diagram.

  • 02

    From the well to the valleys

    Wells, works, pumping station, service reservoir and districts can be shown one by one. You understand the path 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.

  • Passau · Three Rivers: In Passau the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet; the old town lies on the narrow spit of land, and the drinking water comes from wells on an island in the Danube.
    Passau · Three Rivers: In Passau the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet; the old town lies on the narrow spit of land, and the drinking water comes from wells on an island in the Danube.
  • Passau · Three Rivers in the evening – low sun, long shadows, the water mirrors the sky.
    Passau · Three Rivers in the evening – low sun, long shadows, the water mirrors the sky.
  • Morning at the confluence in Passau – haze over the land, terrain and buildings come from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
    Morning at the confluence in Passau – haze over the land, terrain and buildings come from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
  • The course – three rivers run together around the narrow spit; waves and foam move with the current in real time.
    The course – three rivers run together around the narrow spit; 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 confluence in Passau – the houses grow darker, the last glow lies over the land.
    Dusk at the confluence in Passau – 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.
  • Passau · Three Rivers from above at an angle – the whole area as a model of blocks, with the network at its centre.
    Passau · Three Rivers from above at an angle – the whole area as a model of blocks, with the network at its centre.
  • The source – wells raise groundwater; when it sinks, less reaches the works.
    The source – wells raise groundwater; when it sinks, less reaches the works.
  • Achleiten waterworks – The wells stand on the Danube island of Soldatenau – it belongs to Austria. They draw groundwater filtered through kilometres of gravel and soil.
    Achleiten waterworks – The wells stand on the Danube island of Soldatenau – it belongs to Austria. They draw groundwater filtered through kilometres of gravel and soil.
  • Ries reservoir – Storage high on the Ries above the city (about 430 m) – from here water flows down into every valley.
    Ries reservoir – Storage high on the Ries above the city (about 430 m) – from here water flows down into every valley.
  • 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 on the narrow spit between Danube and Inn – first to flood.
    Old town – The old town on the narrow spit between Danube and Inn – first to flood.
  • Haidenhof – Residential area high above the Inn in the south.
    Haidenhof – Residential area high above the Inn in the south.
  • The treatment plant cleans the waste water and returns it to the river. In a storm it overflows.
    The treatment plant cleans the waste water and returns it to the river. In a storm it overflows.
  • 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.
  • The sewer ends at the treatment plant – in a normal year it cleans everything, in a storm it overflows.
    The sewer ends at the treatment plant – in a normal year it cleans everything, in a storm it overflows.
  • 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.
  • Treatment plant and inflow – on the sewer it says how much is arriving and whether it overflows.
    Treatment plant and inflow – on the sewer it says how much is arriving and whether it overflows.
  • 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.
  • Heavy rain in the interface – soil and river on the wheel rise, the flood sign stands by the river, safety falls.
    Heavy rain in the interface – soil and river on the wheel rise, the flood sign stands by the river, safety falls.
  • 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

Would you like to show your area, your museum or your school like this? Write to us or call. We will send you the password for starting it on request.

Start with password

Request the password if you are interested →

Ask about this

Minimal Water: Passau · Drei Flüsse – Donau, Inn und Ilz

What you enter goes to this site alone and serves only to answer you.

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…