Severe Historical Floods on the River Roda, Thuringia: from Reconstruction to Implications for Flood Management

Home , Ilm (Thuringia), Saale, Stadtroda

Vol. 149, No. 2-3 · Research article

Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction DIE ERDE to implications for flood management Journal of the Geographical Society of Berlin

Mathias Deutsch1, Tobias Reeh2,*, Daniel Karthe3

1 Institute of Geography, project group “Environmental history”, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Goldschmidtstraße 5, 37077 Göttingen, Germany, [email protected] 2 Institute of Geography, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Goldschmidtstraße 5, 37077 Göttingen, Germany, [email protected] 3 Environmental Engineering Section, German Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology, 2nd khoroo, Nalaikh district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, [email protected] * Corresponding author

Manuscript submitted: 08 February 2017 / Accepted for publication: 25 September 2017 / Published online: 27 September 2018

Abstract Using the Roda river (Thuringia) as an example, we present methods for and results of historical flood research in Germany. The Roda river is one of the tributaries of the Saale river with a length of approximately 33 km. Although the watershed only covers around 262 km2, the Roda is very vulnerable to flooding. The river caused damages of catastrophic dimensions within the urban area of Stadtroda (until 1925 “Roda”). These damages were especially devastating after heavy rainfall events during the late spring and early summer sea- sons of June 1582, April 1654, June 1827, June 1871 and June 1876. This article discusses how the flood history of the Roda river and human response to the associated natural hazards can be analysed by a combination of archive and field work. By means of the available material (e.g. printed, handwritten and physical sources as well as maps, engravings and historical photos), the history of severe floods was reconstructed for several centuries. This specifically refers to 1) the genesis, magnitude, frequency and length of floods, 2) the extent of damages and losses, 3) the risk perception and evaluation by municipal and national administrations and 4) the planning and implementation of protective measures and their impacts. Interestingly, the analysis of the disastrous floods of 1871 and 1876 shows striking similarities to the current discussion (e.g. regarding the influence of land use changes). Furthermore, the combined historical accounts are an important basis for the derivation of future flood risk assessments for the Roda river. Going beyond the specific basin of the Roda, the findings also reveal important insights regarding the impacts of increases in heavy regionalized rainfall for small watersheds, which is predicted to occur more frequently in such watersheds in the state of Thuringia.

Zusammenfassung Anhand des Flusses Roda in Thüringen sollen exemplarisch Arbeitsmethoden und -ergebnisse der historischen

2 beträgt, ist sie ein stark Hochwasserforschung in Deutschland aufgezeigt werden. Die Roda ist ein ca. 33 km langer Nebenfluss der Saale- im Saale-Holzland-Kreis. Obwohl die Einzugsgebietsgröße der Roda nur etwa 262 km hochwassergefährdetes Fließgewässer. Insbesondere nach Starkregen im hydrologischen Sommerhalbjahr ver Mathias Deutsch, Tobias Reeh, Daniel Karthe 2018: Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management. – DIE ERDE 149 (2-3): -

64 75 DOI:10.12854/erde-2018-343

DIE ERDE · Vol. 149 · 2-3/2018

64 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management

ursachte der Fluss vor allem im Stadtgebiet von Stadtroda (bis 1925: nur “Roda”) katastrophale Schäden. Hierzu gehören beispielsweise die Ereignisse vom Juni 1582, April 1654, Juni 1827, Juni 1871 und Juni 1876. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird im Beitrag gezeigt, wie durch intensive Archiv- und Feldarbeiten die Hochwassergeschichte der Roda und der Umgang der Menschen mit dieser Naturgefahr analysiert werden kann. Ausgehend von der Vorstellung des verfügbaren Materials (z. B. gedruckte, handschriftliche und gegenständliche Quellen sowie Karten, Stiche und historische Fotos) können für einen langen Zeitraum unterschiedlichste Aussagen getroffen- werden. Sie beziehen sich auf 1) die Genese und Auftrittshäufigkeiten schwerer Hochwasser, 2) das Ausmaß der Schäden und Verluste, 3) die Risikowahrnehmung und -bewertung durch kommunale und staatliche Ver waltungen sowie 4) auf Schutzmaßnahmen und ihre Wirksamkeit. Interessanterweise zeigen die Analysen der schweren Hochwasser von 1871 und 1876 Parallelen zu aktuellen Diskussionen (z. B. Einfluss der Landnutzung auf das Abflussgeschehen). Darüber hinaus können die Untersuchungsergebnisse eine wichtige Grundlage für die Erstellung von Hochwasserprognosen der Roda sein. Das ist insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund der auch für KeywordsThüringen vorhergesagten Zunahme regionaler Starkniederschläge in kleinen Einzugsgebieten von Bedeutung.

River Roda (Thuringia), severe historic floods, historical data, flood marks

1. Introduction

- documents,aspects addressed news reports, by historiographical personal accounts research. and lo- mental disasters in Central Europe in terms of both Typicalcal historians’ sources research of such ( Ruiz-Bellet information include official Floodshuman life are and among economic the most losses destructive (Osberghaus environ 2017; Roggenkamp and Herget 2012; Glaser Brázdil Herget et al. 2015), albeit suchfor photographs accounts are and often paintings qualitative of unknown ( origin, it of large interest, aiming et al. at 2010; the general estimation et al. 2005). of 2014). In case of unofficial reportsWetter as well as The reconstruction of historical floods is therefore 2011; Roggenkamp and Herget 2014). Flood marks on buildingsis important or bridges to verify are the another authenticity important ( informa et al.- flood risks, the design and operation of hydraulic and- suranceprotective premiums infrastructures, (Halbert flood risk andDeutsch emergency - 2015;management Kjeldsen planning and Deutschthe calculation of floodMudel in- tion source for the reconstruction of historical floods, see Munzar et al. 2016;Pfister and Sumet al.- palaeofloodbut labeling differs reconstruction greatly (from none to the indica mermatter 2004; et al. Deutsch 2014; 2002; Deutsch et al. 2010; and Pörtge tion of years or even exact dates). One alternative for et al. 2006; et al. 2005; (evenKjeldsen beyond historical Karthe Onerecords) common is the challenge investigation with the of floodinterpretation signatures of suchpast 2001). It therefore remains an important field of work as specific sedimentary deposits ( et al. 2014). in modern hydrology ( et al. 2017). - - th instru- licdata engineering are environmental (Kjeldsen changes thatBorrmann have occurred, 2010). mentationDifferent techniques are commonly used to investi- such as climatic changes, land use changes or hydrau gate historical floods. During the 19 century, et al. 2014; such as gauges was installedReeh in many Ger poor periods can be distinguished. This temporal Deutschman and Central European river basins, allowing for- In historical terms, relatively flood-rich and flood-- a quantitative assessment of floods ( et al. 2015; et al. 2000). However, for the earlyKjeldsen instru clustering is strongly related to (regional to conti mental period,Roggenkamp the accuracy and Hergetof measurements 2014). For earlier is not nental) climate variability and associated catchment always comparable to contemporary data ( memory effects (e.g. a prolonged water saturation of et al. 2014; soils).th For the Elbe riverth Basin, periodsGlaser of maximum floods, documentaryKjeldsen evidence is an important source- Merzflood activity over the past 500 years include the late even though perception thresholds for severe floods 16 century and the 19 century ( et al. 2010; changedhistorical over documents time ( on meteorological et al. 2014). Besidesconditions, in et al. 2016). Continental climate induced floods waterformation saturation on the heightin the andcatchment’s spatial extent soils andof flooding, the so- occurred several times over the past few centuries. Across many parts of Europe, the 1870s (which are- addressed by two case studies in this manuscript) cioeconomicDIE ERDE · Vol. implications 149 · 2-3/2018 of the flood are potential were a period characterised by severe floods in vari

65 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management

Saxony-Anhalt le - S a a oussula river(Ruiz-Bellet basins, ranging from extreme flash floods caused by intensive rainstorms on the Iberian penin Groß- Naumburg Elbe (Elleder 2010) and Rhine (Wetter - heringen et al. 2015) to massive floods on the We - t h

a et al. 2011). Us u - I l m ing the Roda river as an example, we aimed at answer N ing the questions (1) how did discharge events of ex traordinary magnitude between 1500 and 1900 lead Weimar to river floods and (2) what triggered the two most S a a l e JENA extreme flooding events of the Roda river in 1871 and Roda 1876. ò 2. Study area

I l m R o d a Thuringia

Rudolstadt The Roda river is a right tributary of the Saale river A u m a and originates atBauer an elevation 2013: 174). of about After 385 about m a.s.l., 33 kilo not- Plothener Zeulenroda Ponds far from Triptis, a small town in the present-day Saale- Kaulsdorf- Dam Eichicht Holzland-Kreis ( Bauer 2013;metres, Fig. the 1 Roda river flows into the Saale river at an Hohenwarte Dam km²elevation (Bauer of 149.5 m a.s.l., close to Jena-Lobeda ( Schleswig- ). The catchment area is only about 262 Holstein - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Bleiloch Hamburg 2013), which means that it can be easily Bremen Dam Lower Saxony Berlin covered by a major thunderstorm cell. Such a constel- Brandenburg Saxony- Anhalt

North Rhine- Saxony niferouslation is forests quite typical is 50%. for 25% hazardous of the drainage flood events basin inis Westphalia Saxony Thuringia Thuringia. The percentage of the area coveredFischer by co Hesse Rhineland- Palatinate S a a le

- Saarland covered with farmland and 17% is grassland ( Bavaria Fischer Baden- Hof 2008: 63). The annual precipitation within the drain Württemberg Bavaria age area is around 600 mm ( 2008). Significantth and 0 5 10 15 20 km © Department of Geography, University of Goettingen, 2017 tributaries20th of the Roda river are the Schwarzbach, the Weiherbach and the Zeitzbach. During the 19 Fig. 1 Map of the Roda’s course. Source: Own elaboration centuries, parts of the Roda river were modified- (Department of Geography, Georg-August-University by hydroengineering, including measures suchPhoto as the1). Göttingen) Accordingfortification to of the the Deutsches river’s banks Gewässerkundliches as well as the expan Jahr- buchsion and deepening of the stream profile (

(“German HydrologicalLHW Sachsen-Anhalt Yearbook”) (Elbe region, part I), there have been several severe floodings of the Roda river after 1950 ( 2012:Photo 167). 2). Among other floodings, those of 4 June 1961 and 10 August 1981 caused extensive inundations ( - agesMost andrecently, losses a in flooding agricultural of the and Roda inhabited river during areas. the end of May/beginning of June 2013 caused severe dam

Photo 1 View over the Roda river which was modified in the centre of Stadtroda during the 19th and 20th centuries. Photo credit: M. Deutsch 2012

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66 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management

Photo 2 Flooding of 10 August 1981 in Stadtroda near Münz- brücke. Source: Anonymous 1981, Town archive Stadtroda, folder “Natural Hazards”, no sign.

3. Sources about historical flood events of the Roda river for the period 1500 to 1900

- written manuscripts and documents. A large part of The sources mainly used for this study were hand- - this material is stored in the town archive of Stadtroth, 18th daand as 19 wellth centuries as in the was Thuringian taken into state consideration. archive in Alten This burg. Moreover, printed material from the 17 Fig. 2 First page of a written statement by the Roda city administration to the ministry of the interior (duchy material is currently stored in the university libraries Saxony-Altenburg) published on 14 June 1876 – flood report regarding 11/12 June 1876. Source: Anonymous of Jena, Halle/S and Dresden. Furthermore, historical- 1876a, Town archive Stadtroda, Sign. I/ 2 B/ 131 G, page 8 flood marks of the Roda river were gathered and used.- writtenBefore further manuscripts processing, and documents all sources in had the to chronicles be exam ined critically. In order to clarify whether the hand “During the night of the 11th to 12th of this month, and on the 12th during the day, Roda has been hit describing the floods’ courses were written at the by a great flood again. The damages and losses of time of the floods or whether the information was the 1871 and 1873 floodings have not yet been over- put down in writing years or even decades after the- come. And again, the hapless city has been struck event, the different sources needed to be compared to by yet another misery. other contemporary documents. Regarding this rath This year’s May had been cold and rainy, the soil aser complicatedpossible becomes aspect apparent. of historical Thus, flood the research,sources used the was saturated, almost supersaturated by water. forimportance this article of willconsidering be discussed as many in more primary detail sources in the Thus, persistent and torrential rainfalls harbour following subsections. the danger of causing severe floodings.”

3.1 Handwritten sources

In3.2 additionPrinted to sources the handwritten sources, about 20 printed works were taken into consideration. Among Among other sources, letters by municipal authorities these, the commemorate sermons regarding the se- wellserved as onas anthe important extent of the source damages of information. (Fig. 2). Informa These- letterstion on report single on fates the wascourse found of the in differentwritten floodspetitions as vere floodings of the Roda in 1694 and 1827 turned out to be highly informative. Alongside theological which were written by flood victims trying to receive contents, minute descriptions of the floods in June financialDIE ERDE support· Vol. 149 from· 2-3/2018 the local government. 1694 and June 1827 can be found in these texts. The

67 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management

4. Historical floods of the Roda river between Crell 1500 and 1900 sermonsStreicher were held only a few days after the events in Roda town and were printed shortly afterwards ( - 1694;One printed report 1827). from Besides 1894 theseneeds sermons, to be mentioned reports inon floodsparticular in printed (Löbe chronicles 1894). Furthermore,were of interest regional as well. Throughout the course of this study, around 140 re newspapers from the 19th - ports on floods (for the period 1500Table to1). 1900)One can were as- gathered and evaluated. They include information century were made avail orabout less 36 high historical damages flood and events losses. ( Under no circum- able for this study. Many articles concerning flooding sume that all the listed cases of flooding caused more were printed shortly after very severe flood events of- tantthe Roda to note river. that These some articles newspaper sometimes reporters also included drama- stances, these findings claim to include information detailed eyewitness reports. At this point, it is impor on all floods that ever occurred at the Roda river. As - Deutschother scientific and Pörtge studies 2017; from Reeh the Central GermanDeutsch area tised the events or even printed false statements. For show, the actual number of events is much higher (e.g. these reasons, the printed texts always had to be com et al. 2016; pared to handwritten primary sources. et al. 2015). One reason for this would be that small 3.3 Flood marks floods that only caused minor or no damages at all are typically not mentioned in contemporary sources. Deutsch and Pörtge 2009: Nevertheless, some of the listed events occurred in - other watercourses on the territory of today’s Free In terms of flood marks ( State of Thuringia as well (for example: 20 June 1694:- alone,454), different two residential material buildings sources were and preservedone former along mill strut).Weiherbach, Zeitzbach; 10 June 1827: Weiherbach, side the Roda river and its tributaries. In Stadtroda- Zeitzbach; 25/26 June 1871: Werra, Saale, Gera, Un building provided flood marks which provided valuPho- Table 1). toable 3). information. The inscriptions impressively show By the aid of the aforementioned archival sources, all the extremely high water levels of past floodings ( 36 flood events were matched with a season ( It turned out that only two of the listed larger floods of the Roda river occurred during the six months of the hydrological winter (1 November to 30 April). These were the discharge events of April 1654 and April 1748 which were caused by continuous heavy rain. It seems noteworthy that none of the archival sources taken into account mentions severe winter floods caused by snow-melt. This is probably due to the relatively high percentage of forest cover in the catchment area, which- buffers the runoff. 34 of the mentioned floods took place during the six months of the hydrological summer (1 May to 31 October). Within this time frame, most of the floods occurred in June (19 events). Moreo ver, there were six events of flooding reported for the month of May, five events in July, and four in August.- In many cases, severe thunderstorms are reported to be the cause of flood events. Even if there are no avail able data concerning the contemporary precipitation sum, the archival sources indicate that large amounts- gation,of rainfall Bauer must have fallen within a very short time. In- his work, which is fundamental for the area of investi Photo 3 Flood marks in the entrance area of the residential (2013) suggests as well that severe flood building Am Sand 2 in Stadtroda. Photo credit: M. ings of the Roda river occur during the hydrological Deutsch 2014 summer (especially from May to August) due to events of heavy rain. DIE ERDE · Vol. 149 · 2-3/2018

68 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management Table 1 Information on 36 flood events of the Roda river, which occurred between 1500 and 1900 and – according to documen- tation – caused damage and/or losses (in bold: ‘major flood’; *: case studies discussed in Section 5). Source: Deutsch and Pörtge 2017: 80

Century DateReason for LloodingRemarks 16th 1501, 25 July severe weather many bridges destroyed 1555, 2 June - barns washed away 1573, 13 August continuous rain - 1582, 29-30 June rain many buildings damaged

17th 1607, 23 June heavy rainfall - 1618, 15 June continuous rain mill buildings severely damaged 1619, 11 July rain meadows and Lields damaged 1654, 26 April rain extensive Llooding 1673, 24 June severe weather - 1676, 6 July - high crop damage 1694, 20 June severe thunderstorms very severe damage and losses 1698, 18 May continuous rain bridges destroyed 1698, 17 June continuous rain severe damage 1702, 13 July severe weather 18th - 1707, 23 June severe weather many bridges destroyed 1748, 22-25 April severe weather - 1750, 24 June severe thunderstorms - 1752, 1-3 August continuous rain many footbridges destroyed 1754, 11 May thunderstorms residential buildings destroyed 1755, 17 June - damaged premises 1761, 24 May thunderstorms severe damage 1761, 27 May thunderstorms severe damage 1771, 29 June continuous rain many bridges destroyed 1798, 1-3 June continuous rain roads destroyed 1806, 22 May thunderstorms damaged Lields 19th 1812, 16 June rain damaged Lields 1812, 4 July rain bridges damaged 1812, 4 August rain - 1812, 9 August rain - 1816, 19 June - footbridges destroyed 1827, 10 June severe weather very severe damage 1827, 17 June severe weather severe damage 1845, 30 May thunderstorms mill buildings destroyed 1845, 7-8 June thunderstorms bridges damaged *1871, 25-26 June rain roads and paths destroyed *1876, 11-12 June rain roads destroyed

- ing the time period from 1500 to 1900 can be classi- Regarding the 36 historical floods of the Roda river The question which of the floods of the Roda river dur- analysed, it is noteworthy that in some years, discharge events of extraordinary magnitude took place. For fied as ‘major flood events’ – i.e. floods that were espe the years 1698, 1761, 1827 and 1845, two significant cially catastrophic – can only be answered indirectly. wellevents as ofon flooding 4 and 8 wereAugust. reported in each case. In 1812, Due to the lack of alternatives, the damage patterns there were even four larger floods: on 16 June, 4 July as need to be taken into account, even though they are DIE ERDE · Vol. 149 · 2-3/2018 not a direct indicator for flood magnitudes (cf. Rhine

69 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management

- river floods 1993/1995). There is extensive informa to a contemporary report, at that time, the Roda’s tion about very severe floods in the local chronicles. waterline came to approximately 2.83 m above the- After all, these events were ‘unheard-of incidents’ mean level. Vast areas close to theAnonymous river, among 1871a). them that were of crucial significance to the residents and- InStadtroda, the course were of theinundated. next few At hours, around the 5 watera.m., the pulled wa therefore made an impact on regional historiography.- ter slowly began to go back down ( 14strophic floods (bold of the in RodaTable river1). The can data be showclassified that mostas par of ticularly severe and their impacts declared as cata back entirely from inhabited areas. 5.1.3 Damages and losses the catastrophic flood events took place in the month assessmentof June (a total period of seven (1500 events). to 1900) Which remains one questionof the 14- - listed floods was the most severe event during the All in all, the damages can be classified as catastroph- able, as this aspect cannot be fully answered by the ic. In most of the villages and townships adjacent to Theavailable scopes sources. and limits of historical sources for recon- the river, the water had severely damaged both pri- es,vate residential and municipal and business property. premises Among etc. the (Anonymous damaged are discussed in more detail in two case studies: the property were,Anonymous for instance, bridges and landing stag structing hydrological extreme events of the past 1871b: 769; 1871a). Stadtroda was left heightRoda floodings were measured in 1871 andand 1876. are hence Not only dependent did the two on with heaps of sand, stones, and scree in many streets events both take place before discharge and gauge- and alleys. These deposits reached up to 2.26 m inth height. According to contemporary reports, this flood historical flood research, but they also took place dur was declared to be the most severe flood of the 19 - ing a decade of severe floodings in many other parts of century.prox. 9.5 Thecm toaforementioned 12 cm) higher reports than it emphasisewas during that the Europe (see above). during the event, the waterAnonymous was up to 41871a). to 5 inches (ap 5. Case studies of severe historical Roda-floodings floods in 1827 and 1845 (

5.2.1 5.2 TInheitial flood conditions of 11 and 12 June 1876 5.1.1 5.1 TInheitial flood conditions of 25 and 26 June 1871

- According to a contemporary report, the soil in the- AccordingLöbe to a Stadtroda town chronicle, there had tationRoda catchment (Anonymous area was nearly saturated with wa been continuous rainfall several days prior to the ter after the winter of 1875/1876 due to high precipi flood ( 1894: 131). This is confirmed by reports 1876b:Instead, 240). Inthe 1876, soil themoisture month in of- of the daily press. As a result, the soil moisture had creasedMay was because still cold of and further wet which precipitation is why the (Anonymous soil had no moisturereached thecould greatest be absorbed possible (Löbe extent. 1894) When and a largecata- opportunity to dry off. amounts of rainfall fell on the 25 of June 1871, no more 1876a: 8). Only the Whit Sunday of the yearAnonymous (which strophic flooding was imminent. was the 4 June) was a nice and sunny day. Afterwards, however, it soon started to rain again ( 1876b: 240). According to the descriptions in oneLöbe of 5.1.2 The flood’s course Roda’s town chronicles, there had been several rainy - days before a destructive flooding occurred ( - Even though there had beenLöbe heavy 1894). rainfall It was on not 25 untilJune 1894: 133). Sunday, 11 June 1876, was a cloudy as well during the day, the Roda river had risen only margin as rainy day. In the evening at around 9 p.m., contin ally by the end of the day ( uous rainfall started.Anonymous Several different contemporaryR). 12 a.m. that the river had transgressed its banks. Until reports even mention thunderstorms that included forthe aroundearly morning one hour of 26(Anonymous June (after 1871a). 4 a.m.), Accordingthe water heavy precipitation ( 1876a: 8 level rose continuously and then remained the same DIE ERDE · Vol. 149 · 2-3/2018

70 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management

5.2.2 The flood’s course es and landing stages. It seems noteworthy that the- sondamages could caused be that to in buildings 1871, the during water wentthe flood down of again 1876 Even though the Roda’s water level and that of its were higher than after the flood in June 1871. One rea- tributaries had already been high on 11 June 1876, the residents did not see a threat in that. It was only when- comparatively quickly. During the flood in 1876, how theures water were initiated level rose (Anonymous up further during R the). As evening a pre- partsever, the of the water buildings remained – among at least them, 15 to for 16 example, hours in the hours that, at around 12 a.m., extensive safety meas lower levels of the buildings in the town of Roda.Anonymous Some 1876a:Anonymous 8 caution, residents along the river emptied the rooms floorboards – were demolished entirely ( itsin theclimax. lower In the levels town of buildingsof Roda, municipal ( authorities 1876c). 1876a: 12). On 12 June 1876, at around 2 a.m., the flood reached- mobilised all available fire brigades. In addition, foot 5.2.4 Contemporary remarks regarding the causes of bridges leading across the Roda river were secured In thethe course 1876-flood of this article’s material research, one with ropes to prevent them from being washed away. fromEventually, the town vast centre areas of theRoda, Roda water valley ran were through flooded nu- Anonymous on 12 June between 2 and 3 a.m. According to reports newspaper article from 1876 dealing with the causes of the flood was analysed ( 1876b: 240). It- andmerous tree streets trunks. and A alleys newspaper from 3 a.m.article onwards. describes Among the was published only a few days after the event in the other things, the river carried along fences, boards “Altenburger Zeitung”. Its essential messages are re - ported here. From the anonymous author’s point of flood’s course as follows: “for more than three hours, view, two factors had a crucial impact on the course of the water level remained very high. At 7 a.m., it be- a) the Tfloodhe increasing in June 1876: deforestation in the Roda’s catch- gan to decrease a little, but only half an hour laterAnony [at- ment area and mousaround 7:30 a.m.] it rose even higher because of con b) the installation of drainage ditches. tinuous rain. The water rose with power…” ( be rescued 1876c, from translation their homes by the and authors). animals People brought living out - in the villages and townships along the river had to pointWhile b) the in articlegreat depth. does notAccording provide to anythe furtherarticle, the ex of their stables. Finally, on 12 June at around 11 a.m., installationplanatory comments of numerous on point drainage a), the ditches author dealsin the with Ro- the water level went down a little, only to rise back- up again about one hour later. In parts of Stadtroda, the water level even rose up to 1.70 m. Not only wood withdrawda’s catchment excess area water had takenfrom theplace soil during and thethus years dis- en bridges were destroyed during the flood, but also preceding the flood. These ditches were supposed to solid bridges made of steel or brick work. Eventually, sinceat around it was 4 stillp.m., raining the water at that level time. slowly As it went turned down. out, charge the water as quickly as possible into the valley The residents however, still feared an additional rise theor the soil Roda itself river. and thus It is onnot the mentioned state of the to whatforests. extent The these construction measures had a positive effect on- ofthese Roda fears (Anonymous were unfounded. InR the). early evening of 12 June 1876, the flood wave had passed the urban area author does, on the other hand, critically mention an 1876a: 10 other effect of the new drainage ditches. Especially in- 5.2.3 Damages and losses the event of heavy rainfall, a large part of the water is not being retained by forest soil anymore. There According to reports, the damage of roads in numer- fore, it cannot flow off slowly like before but enters - dischargesmall tributaries is much andhigher, the which Roda river’sis problematic main channel in the None- within a short time. As a consequence, the river’s peak ous villages and townships was not as severe as af recommendations that would change the contempo- themter the residential catastrophic as well flood as in business 1871 (see premises, above). sheds, event of flooding. The author did not offer any specific- theless, several buildings alongside the river (among ures’ had to be taken to decelerate the water’s fast - rary conditions. He did, however, state that ‘meas stables, etc.) had suffered severe damage. What is moreDIE ERDE is that · Vol. the 149 flood · 2-3/2018 had washed away many bridg discharge. Finally, it needs to be emphasised that this

71 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management of the 19th - example demonstrates how, even in the second half- length of the investigated period and thus improve ed (see also century, Schmidt the negative impacts of drainage the empirical basis, in the future it is necessary to fur measures thatwere intend perceived to keep and the modifications water within demand the soil ther investigate 2000). Thus, currently requested (1) floodreasons; marks that were verifiably not readjusted as long as possible, are certainly not new. due to the modification of buildings or for other- 6. Discussion (2) the existence of sufficiently proofed and prefer- ably original sources (with detailed descriptions that occurred between 1500 and 1900 on the Roda damagedof sequences buildings/infrastructure); of prominent floods but also infor For this study, information on 36 severe flood events mation on channel changes nearby flood marks or- - - river was gathered. For this purpose, handwritten- (3) records concerning hydraulic structures in ar and printed manuscripts were analysed and histori chives (if possible, with an assessment of their rel cal flood marks examined. Precise statements re- evance for water levels and discharge). garding the exact time of the events as well as their - causes were made depending on the available histori ics.Additionally, hydrological modeling of past discharge reportedcal descriptive claims. sources. Furthermore, 14 events were events could help to better understand their dynam identified as very severe or catastrophic based on the All in all, the consideration of a longer time frame of-

- In the course of the centuries, the number of flood- fers a more reliable image concerning flood events.- events fluctuated. Based on the historical sources,- “The […] opinion, that populated areas wouldReeh be ab it can be summarized that severe floods mainly oc- solutely protected from floods by […] technical con curred during the hydrological summer months. Ac structions, is fallacious and dangerous” ( et al. cording to contemporary reports, heavy and continu 2016: 82). Instead,Deutsch the handling and Pörtge of 2017; floods Reeh must be ous rainfall was identified as the main reason for even more sensitive, especially regarding historical these severe floods. However, a clear ranking of the flood events (e.g. DKKV et al. Despitefloods is ofnot all possible limitations, based the on thewaterlines available of sources. the two 2016). Here, limits of technical systems should be- - recognised and potential damages preventedDeutsch ( Thiele and and2015: Pörtge 187-188). 2007). Therefore, It is important a reinforced to keep publicity the general ef Büttnerflood events GbR presented as case studies could be es fect on risk communication is necessary (cf. 2D-modeling,timated by means a peak of discharge hydraulic of modeling 114 m³/s (was gener- - 2015). Based on the results arising from ingpublic current alert todecisions the dangers (e.g. ofthe floods designation and not of to building dismiss Thiele and Büttner GbR 2015: 17). experiences made during past floods when discuss Aated precipitation for the event of 134 in June mm in1871 24 hand resulted 109 m³/s in the for peak the event in June 1876 ( land, flood protection for domestic technology with Thiele regard to reconstructions or refurbishment). Even if dischargeand Büttner of GbRthe 1871-event.2015: 32). ThisThe recurrenceunderlines intervalthe fact a stream or a river does not pose a threat to residents of this amount of precipitation is 1000 years ( over a long period of time, it is possible that it may storageturn into basins an immediate or dikes (dangerReeh after severe rainfall, that hydraulic structures which were put up over the potentialdespite existing catastrophic precautionary scenarios can measurements be demonstrated like centuries, did not manage to entirely eliminate flood- Reeh et al. 2016). “Thereby, risks. Regarding extreme events in inhabited areas, discharge cannot be controlled by economically justi based on past flood events” ( et al. 2016: 82). Nonetheless,fiable flood protection. these outcomes offer possibilities to im- 7. Conclusions prove flood predictionsSchönwiese for the Roda 2007; river. Kappas This aspect2009) inis especiallysmall watersheds vital regarding in Thuringia. the predicted To expand increase the in A river development strategy which includes flood- regional heavy rain ( protection for the river Roda and its tributaries is currently being planned DIE in theERDE scope · Vol. 149 of the· 2-3/2018 Thur

72 Severe historical floods on the river Roda, Thuringia: from reconstruction to implications for flood management

- Thüringer Aufbaubank 2017). It is supposed to consid- gen. Ein wasserhistorischer Rückblick. – Ed. by Arbeits ingian state programme for water conservation (see Borrmann, H. gruppe Artenschutz Thüringen e. V. – Gera/Germany due to climate change. – Erdkunde 64 (3): 257-279 2010: Runoff regime changes in German rivers er historical flood research systematically for the first Brázdil, R., P. Dobrovolný, L. Elleder, V. Kakos, O. Kotyza, V. time. The project’s sponsors realised that the initial- Květoň and H. Valášek 2005: channel relations, the former expansion of floodplains in the Czech Republic. – - Historical and recent floods as well as flood history need to be taken into consid- Masaryk University, Czech Hy eration in the definition of development objectives- Republic drometeorological Institute. – Brno and Prague/Czech as well as in the establishment of specific flood pro Crell, J. tection measures. Special attention is paid to infor- 1694: Die Göttliche Wasser=Ruth Mit welcher Anno ablemation in so regarding far as this the approach floods’ course,has not expansionbeen executed and intensity, including damage focusses. This is remark I694. am 20 Junii Die Stadt Roda und selbige Gegend heimgesuchet worden/ in Christlicher Versammlung zu The article at hand is considered as part of this pilot consequently in the Free State of Thuringia before. Roda am Tage S. Johannis des Täuffers gedachten Jahres/ aus denen Worten Hiob am XII. v. I5. Wenn der HErr das Wasser auslässet/ so kehret er das Land umb/ betrachtet documentsproject – even (including if more as archive detailed research cartographic is definitely repre- von M. JACOBO Crellen/ Pfarrern und Adjuncto. JENA/ necessary in order to contribute meaningful planning- Deutsch, M. - Gedruckt mit Joh. Zach. Nisti Schriften. – Jena/Germany - sentation as possible) from the perspective of envi 2002: “And thus they learned from failures” – Re marks on flood disasters and their consequences on hy ronmental history. 18th and 19th draulic engineering in Thuringia (Germany) during the Acknowledgement Irrigation and Drainage, ICID (ed.): 18th Congress on Irri- century. – In: International Commission on th - sons from Failures in Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Con- gation and Drainage, vol. 1 D: 8 History Seminar on Les - The authors thank the “Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt” Deutsch, M. and K.-H. Pörtge - for the funding of the project “Verifizierung von Bemes trol Systems. – New Delhi/India: 297-308 sungshochwasserabflüssen infolge Klimaänderungen 2001: Historical floods in Thur . 10th Hlavinková, P. and J. Munzar (eds.): durch Nutzung historischer Wasserstandsaufzeichnungen” ingia on the example of the flood in Langensalza on the th - (Grant No: Az.: 31691/01) June 1815. – In: Nature and society in regional context, 4 Moravian Ge References ographical Conference CONGEO `01. Ed. by Tschechische Akademie der Wissenschaften. – Brno/Czech Republic: Anonymous Deutsch, M. and K.-H. Pörtge - 16-23 - 1871a: Locales [Bericht zum Hochwasser in 2007: Zur Bedeutung his 39: 2-5 Roda am 25./26.06.1871]. – In: Allgemeiner Anzeiger und torischer Quellen für die Hochwasserbewusstseinsbil Deutsch, M. and K.-H. Pörtge 2009: Hochwassermarken Nachrichtsblatt für Roda und Umgegend, No. 74, Tuesday, dung. – Hydrobrief Anonymous - 27, June 1871 wirtschaft, Forsten, Umwelt und Naturschutz. – Erfurt/ 1871b: Das Hochwasser in Roda am 25. bis 26. in Thüringen. Ed. by Thüringer Ministerium für Land Juni 1871. – In: Altenburger Zeitung für Stadt und Land, Anonymous Deutsch, M. and K.-H. Pörtge 2017: Hochwasser in Thürin- No. 154, Wednesday, 5 July 1871 Germany - 1876a: [Handwritten report about the Roda- flood, 14, June 1876]. – In: Akten des Stadtraths zu Roda gen – Ursachen, Verlauf und Schäden extremer Ab . – 113. betreffend das Hochwasser vom 11./12. Juni 1876, Town flussereignisse (1500-2015). – Schriftenreihe der RS archive Stadtroda, Signature I/ 2 B/131 G: 8-19 Thüringer Landesanstalt für Umwelt und Geologie Anonymous Deutsch, M., K.-H. Pörtge and H.-G. Spanknebel 2000: The Stadtroda/Germany – Jena/Germany 1876b: Ueber das Hochwasser der Roda. – In: Thuringia. – In: Tönsmann, F. and M. Koch Altenburger Zeitung für Land und Stadt, No. 139, Friday, development of flood warning and messaging service in Anonymous 16, June 1876 (eds.): River Deutsch, M., R. Glaser, K.-H. Pörtge, M. Börngen, A. Drescher, 1876c: Locales [Bericht zum Hochwasser in flood defence. – Kassel/Germany: 51-61 - B. Martin, D. Riemann and J. Schönbein 2010: Historische Roda am 11./12.06.1876]. – In: Allgemeiner Anzeiger und Nachrichtsblatt für Roda und Umgegend, No. 69, Wednes Bauer, L. - Rundschau 62 (3): 18-24 day, 14 June 1876 Hochwasserereignisse in Mitteleuropa. – Geographische 2013: Vergleichende Hydrogeographie von Thürin DIE ERDE · Vol. 149 · 2-3/2018

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