Lenk, Bernese Alps

状況

The village of Lenk in Simmental valley (Bernese Oberland) was already affected by debris flows in the past. For example, mudflows in summer 1930 from side streams clogged the bed of the river Simme what caused a deluge in the village. Access to this mountain village - street and rail - was also blocked. During this large event, the quantity of debris flow was estimated as 135'000 m³.

Many other minor to medium events were observed in the following decades. After a flood in 2005 (with minor damage), the danger map was revised and the present project was launched.

The origin of the debris flow mobilization area is mainly a slump in the Bühlgraben as well as the strong gut erosion of the alluvial soils below it. The catchment area covers an area of ​​around 20 km². It is assumed that the debris flows occur in several discharges. The location of the barrier is at the end of a winding stream.

Based on a 3D debris modeling (RAMMS DEBRIS FLOW, carried out by Emch + Berger AG from Bern), the input parameters for the dimensioning flexible barriers were obtained. The final solution is dimensioned with a retaining capacity of 70'000 m³ (in four to five bays of 15'000 m³ each) and flow velocities up to 9 m/s.