Water Level Monitoring Station on the Morsbach – Taking Responsibility for the Valley

Why a Water Level Monitoring Station at the Morsbach Is Necessary

The Morsbach not only flows past our company premises – it also runs across parts of our site. We are therefore directly affected when the water level rises. Even before the 2021 flood disaster, we took precautionary action: the stream course on our property was renaturalised and significantly widened so the water has more space and the risk of flooding is reduced. Nevertheless, the events of 2021 showed how quickly a seemingly small stream can become an acute danger.
This is exactly why a water level monitoring station is now being built – another important component to detect risks in the Morsbach Valley early and assess them more accurately.

Looking Back at the 2021 Flood in the Morsbach Valley

On 14 July 2021, extreme rainfall accumulated in the Morsbach Valley. The soil was saturated, water surged down the stream and overflowed its banks in many places. Bridges were damaged or destroyed, roads undermined, basements flooded, infrastructure failed. The Morsbach Valley was severely affected, and the damage ran into the millions. For many businesses and residents, more than just property was at stake. Entire livelihoods were threatened or even destroyed, and people suddenly faced nothing.
This event left its mark across the entire region. It showed how vulnerable the valley is, even where the stream normally appears calm. And it made clear how important concrete precautionary measures are when things get serious.

VÖLKEL’s Motivation: Taking Responsibility at Our Own Location

We at VÖLKEL were fortunate in 2021. Our operations were largely spared, but many businesses and residents in the Morsbach Valley were hit hard. Anyone who experiences something like this up close knows: relying on luck alone is not an option.
This is why we are participating, together with the LANUV NRW (State Office for Nature, Environment and Climate), in the new water level monitoring station. For us, this is not a PR move but a natural decision. If we work and live here, we bear responsibility for this place. A reliable water level monitoring system benefits not only us, but everyone along the Morsbach – from businesses to local residents.

What Is Currently Being Built – A Look at the Project Start

The initial construction work has been completed. For now, you can mainly see the foundation:

• Foundation poured

• Access constructed

• Space for the technical infrastructure prepared

It may look modest, but it is the basis for the future system. Without a solid foundation, even the best technology is useless. The start has been made, and the next step will follow.

How the Water Level Monitoring Station Will Work

The monitoring station will continuously record the water level of the Morsbach. The data will be transmitted digitally and can be retrieved at short intervals. This makes it possible to detect irregularities early – not only when the water is already reaching the banks.
Such measurement points are an important component of modern flood prevention. They provide facts, not estimates. Authorities, emergency services, and local businesses can use them to react more quickly and assess risks more accurately.

The Project Continues to Grow – Strengthening Safety in the Valley

The current state is only the beginning: next, the technology will be installed, calibrated, and tested before the station enters regular operation. We will continue to document the progress here on the blog, as the monitoring station is part of a whole series of measures aimed at making the Morsbach Valley more resilient. For us, this is more than a technical project. It shows that safety at our site and responsibility for the region go hand in hand. Anyone who works here is part of this valley and contributes to protecting it. We will keep you updated on the next steps.