Anyone walking through the Derle valley can now get a much better view of the lower pond. The contracted company "Rhiem & Sohn" from Erftstadt had removed parts of the bank vegetation. This was necessary in order to desilt and deepen the water. In this way, the water quality can be ensured. Around 1,500 tons of silt were removed. Although the quantities involved were significantly higher than expected, the project will be completed within the calculated construction budget of 350,000 euros.
Final completion is planned for this spring. Municipal employees from the Hardtberg gardening district will then introduce native riparian and aquatic plants. These will also stabilize the pond's ecosystem and contribute to biodiversity. Parts of the cleared embankment will also provide a view of the water in future, while others will be planted with native shrubs such as willows and alder, which also grow in such places in nature.
New and old residents
Prior to the construction work, the company "lanaplan" professionally removed all the fish from the pond. Once the biology of the water has adjusted, native fish species such as tench and rudd are reintroduced and supplemented with pike. This creates a natural balance, which also serves to stabilize the complex ecosystem of such a body of water.