Hydraulic engineering at Volken Group
Specialists in embankments, stream corrections & reclamation
As rainfall has become quantifiably more common and noticeably heavier throughout Switzerland in the last few decades, water-run off is continually increasing. As a result, flood protection and suitable constructions are becoming ever more important, including in Valais. Stream corrections in existing river and stream beds make a difference, as does the building of various protective structures. Additionally, reclamations reduce the negative effects of hydropower use. Volken Group uses its valuable experience in all these areas.
Wasserbau Raspille | Volken Group
On site quickly, including in emergencies
Whether you are confronted with heavy rain in summer, intense snowmelt or a sudden overflow of water, Volken Group assists quickly in every emergency, helping to mitigate the damage caused by floods within hours, depending on the location. To do so, we use suitable equipment that can be quickly transported.
Naturally flowing: the Raspille between Salgesch and Sierre.
Sustainable hydraulic engineering is also one of Volken Group's areas of expertise. Evidence of that is provided by the reclaimed Raspille river at its junction with the Rhône as well as 4 hectares of land in the Pfynwald conservation area that were restored to their original state.
Wasserbau Raspille | Volken Group
Restoring nature, hectare by hectare
In accordance with the federal government's guidelines, new river landscapes stretching over 40,000 m2 have been created at the threshold between Upper and Lower Valais - a welcome habitat for microbes, fish and birds as well as flowers, shrubbery and trees.
Volken Group's team in Visp was responsible for the 850-metre-long revitalisation at the effluent of the Raspille, including the isle, flood protection embankment and a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The project was completed between November 2020 and May 2021, as the Rhône carries less water in winter and the snowmelt does not occur until Spring.
INCH-PERFECT ROLLING WORK
Every stone in the right place
Much finesse is required to ensure that the gripper pliers on the excavator can transport every stone on the bankside to the correct place. That is the only way that the stones weighing tonnes can be closely arranged and wedged among one another. That stabilises the bank and protects it from erosion.
Wasserbau Raspille | CAT330F | Volken Group
At home in Valais and when developing flood protection solutions
We know Valais from top to bottom and have put in place numerous flood protection measures throughout the canton. With well-trained employees, suitable machinery and highly modern construction technology, our construction company is a specialist in all areas of hydraulic engineering.
THE 3RD STREAM CORRECTION IN THE RHÔNE ENSURES GREATER SAFETY
Protecting future generations
Volken Group also contributed significantly to Switzerland's largest flood protection project. Between 2015 and 2017, no less than 210,000 cubic metres of materials were excavated and over 60,000 tonnes of stones were built with between Lalden and Visp. The stones were combined with non-woven material, coir matting and plants. The long-term project, which cost 2.6 billion Swiss francs, protects approximately 100,000 people, prevents potential flood damage with an estimated cost of up to 10 billion Swiss francs, and includes buildings that span a length of approximately 162 kilometres. That also benefits nature in and around the Rhône.
EXAMPLES OF OUR HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING WORK
Our work speaks for itself
Civil engineering work for new reservoir construction
Fieschertal
The new reservoir is planned with two basins so that maintenance and cleaning can be carried out during operation. The new building will house an operations center with the appropriate switch cabinets for monitoring and control technology. An internal coating is planned for the reservoir from the outset. The interior coating will be applied using the ETERTUB-aqua® system. This system has the advantage that leaks can be detected via a drainage system. By analyzing the drainage water, it can be determined whether the water comes from outside or inside the reservoir.
HWS Baltschiederbach Lot 3
Baltschieder
The “Baltschiederbach flood protection, stages 2 and 3 – public consultation project” involves enlarging the cantonal road culvert by building a new cantonal bridge and widening the channel on the left bank north of the cantonal bridge along the Baltschiederbach stream. A console (60 m long) and a connecting embankment wall (30 m long) are planned for the channel widening; further north, the widening will be achieved solely by excavation work on the left bank.
HWS block ramp threshold Vispa Los 3.2
Visp Chatzuhüs
The aim of the project is to restore fish migration in the Vispa river. Currently, a 3-meter-high threshold is an obstacle to fish migration. This barrier will be overcome by constructing a block ramp, restoring fish migration. For this purpose, a fish ladder approximately 70 meters long will be built.
HWS KW Electro Massa
Bitsch
A new wall is being built as flood protection for the flushing. The existing flood embankment is removed and the material is installed together with the surplus material between the switchgear and the canal. During the excavation work, the cables with voltages of up to 16 kV remain in operation.
Benefits with the Volken Group
Contact persons
Erhard Burgener
Head of Structural & Civil Engineering Department
Member of the Executive Board
