The German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG)
Within the federal system of Germany, responsibilities for waters are divided between national authorities and those of the federal states, the Länder. As a scientific institution ranking as a supreme federal agency, the BfG is responsible for the German waterways in federal ownership. In this position it has a central mediating and integrating function.
Its independence and its scientific approach enable the BfG to build bridges between conflicting interests.
The Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG) advises the federal ministries (e.g. the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS)) and the Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) in matters of utilisation and management of the German federal waterways.
Our mission
Being part of the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS), it is our mission to contribute to the implementation and operation of an efficient and environment-friendly transport system. By improving our national infrastructure we want to boost Germany's economic power, strengthen Germany as an investment and industrial location and secure its position in a European context.
Organisational structure
We realise our range of themes and services with the support of our scientific departments and internationally orientated organisational structures. Our IT department, our administration, and our controlling unit are the mainstays of our efficient performance.
Our rationale
We pool and process scientific findings to formulate scenarios and are thus able to make reliable forecasts. As a modern supreme federal agency we have set ourselves the goal of making a responsible and active contribution to the future utilisation of watercourses and coastal waters in Germany and Europe.