Emscher

The Emscher is a river in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It rises near Holzwickede and flows northward through the Ruhr region, passing through several towns and ultimately joining the Ruhr River, with the Rhine as the downstream basin. It has long served as the main drainage watercourse for the Ruhr coal and steel industries, shaping the development of the urban landscape in the area.

Historically, the Emscher carried large volumes of industrial and domestic wastewater. The river’s water quality deteriorated markedly as mining, chemical industries, and urban effluents discharged pollutants. Much of its lower course was canalised or enclosed as part of an extensive drainage system, transforming it from a natural river into a regulated urban waterway. This heavy modification reduced ecological diversity and altered hydrology across the region.

Since the late 20th century, restoration efforts have sought to restore more natural functioning while preserving drainage needs. The work is coordinated under initiatives commonly referred to as the Emscher Concept, aiming to daylight buried canal sections, re-meander parts of the river, and reconnect it with its floodplain. Related landscape and cultural projects, such as the Emscher Landscape Park, accompany ecological goals by creating green corridors and public spaces along the river. The process is ongoing and involves cooperation among federal, state, and municipal authorities, as well as local communities. Today the Emscher is moving toward a more naturalized urban waterway, with continued emphasis on improving water quality and ecological recovery.