Laketown & flooding 1952

Lucky you! If you had come earlier, you might have been standing ankle-deep in water. The Laketown district has often suffered from flooding. Generations of residents have experienced how the Seckach River can bring not only blessings but also disaster.

The severe floods in the 1950s were particularly memorable. There was already extensive damage in 1952, but in 1956 another flood caused dramatic conditions: in Laketown and the district of Sennfeld, streets and houses were under water, basements were flooded, and everyday life was brought to a standstill.

This devastating event triggered lasting changes in the townscape. Work to straighten and deepen the course of the Seckach River began at the end of 1956. The so-called "Seckach regulation" brought the long-awaited relief for the time being. For several decades, there were no major floods.

But in 1973, there were floods again, and in December 1993, after days of continuous rain, the Seckach burst its banks so severely that it was described as a once-in-a-century flood. The damage was enormous. The peaceful streams of Seckach and Kirnau became powerful torrents and flooded Torgasse, Spitalgasse, and large parts of the neighborhood.

In response to these new challenges, a flood protection association was founded with other towns and municipalities. In addition, extensive landscaping changes were made. The renaturation of the Seckach in 2010 created a beautiful path along the river. Here, you can learn more about the diverse river life from information signs provided by the sport fishing association and enjoy a picturesque view of parts of the city wall.

The inconspicuous flood mark on the house to your right is not only a reminder of the dramatic flooding in 1993, but also of the solidarity among the people of Adelsheim.