Water level rises

Regulation of water level rises through planning

The average water level in the sea around Denmark will rise. How much is uncertain, but the section "Future sea levels" presents the expectation of a rising sea around Denmark in the current century.

The groundwater level can also rise due to increased precipitation and groundwater formation. It is, however, still being determined how much, and it could even decrease in some places. Besides, there can be significant local variations.

Rising water levels can challenge existing buildings. Initially, it is due to the increased risk of flooding during heavy storms and heavy rain, but also during less extreme weather in the long term. The tool ‘KAMP‘, here on the portal, can be used to assess local risks, e.g., rise in sea level or water table for a given area or township.

Dykes and the like should protect areas and grounds that are vulnerable to flooding during storm surges. Rises in the groundwater table can increase the water pressure on basements and foundations, especially during periods of heavy rain. Counteracting the consequences of this rise is somewhat possible through terrain regulation. In periods of high water pressure, this may also be mechanical with groundwater pumps. Over time, moving or altogether abandoning very exposed buildings may become necessary.