overløb

Overløb is a Danish term meaning overflow or spillover. It is used across fields to describe a situation where content exceeds its capacity and flows beyond its boundary. In everyday language it can refer to a pan overflowing with water, or a crowd spilling onto a street. In technical contexts the meaning is more precise but shares the same core idea: exceeding capacity leads to discharge outside the intended container or system.

In hydrology and civil engineering, overløb describes the release of water when the upstream system is saturated. Natural overflow occurs when rivers or lakes crest; engineered overflow uses spillways, weirs, and relief channels to route excess water away from critical structures such as dams or embankments. The objective is to prevent flooding or structural damage rather than to retain all water.

In urban drainage and wastewater management, overløb can refer to discharges from sewer systems during heavy rainfall, when the conveyance capacity is exceeded. Points of release are designed to minimize environmental harm and health risks, though such events can still influence water quality and downstream ecosystems. Some regions implement storage tanks, separated stormwater networks, and green infrastructure to reduce overtopping.

In computing and electronics, overløb translates to overflow, describing a condition where a calculation exceeds the maximum value a data type can store, potentially causing wraparound or errors.

The exact interpretation of overløb depends on context, but the common thread is discharge of material or information beyond a designed limit.