INTEGRATED RIVER SOLUTIONS IN AUSTRIA

About the project.

The EU-funded Austria-wide project LIFE IP IRIS Austria supports integrative planning approaches as a new way for the ecological remediation of our rivers while improving flood protection at the same time.

INTEGRATED RIVER SOLUTIONS IN AUSTRIA

About the project.

Danube

The project area Danube covers the section of the Upper Danube in Upper Austria, from the border with Bavaria to Grein an der Donau.

Pilot regions

Enns-Salzburg.

The Enns has its source in the Pongau on the northern side of the Radstädter Tauern at an altitude of about 1.750 m above sea level in the municipality of Flachau.

Pilot regions

Enns-Styria.

The project area comprises the Styrian Enns on a length of 128 km.

Pilot regions

Isel-Drau

The Isel is a glacially influenced river that originates from a glacier gate of the Umbalkees at the upper end of the valley.

Pilot regions

Lafnitz

The project area comprises the river Lafnitz with a total length of approximately 110 km.

Pilot regions

Leitha

The project area extends over about 100 km from the source of the river Leitha to the border with Hungary .

Pilot regions

Pielach

The Pielach originates in the northern foothills of the Alps, approx. 5 km northwest of Annaberg, at an altitude of about 800 m above sea level.

Pilot regions

Traun

The IRIS pilot area on the river Traun covers the lowest river section, from the weir of the Kleinmünchen hydropower station to the mouth of the Danube.

Zielvorstellung und Flussabschnitt der Drau

What is LIFE IP IRIS?

News

Water experts networked on the topic of “Leitbild” (guiding principles)

The 6th IRIS networking meeting took place on June 9th and 10th 2021 in Neustift an der Lafnitz.

River Pielach becomes more natural again

An article by Nadja Straubinger was published on 10th of February 2021 on the planning process in the Pielach project area, which runs from the confluence with the Danube upstream to the confluence with the Nattersbach at river kilometre 59.3

Water protection plus

The large-scale River Development and Risk Management concept of the LIFE IRIS project allows for long-term planning in which the different claims of use are coordinated with each other.

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STATEMENTS

Landesrat DI Dr. Josef Schwaiger

“Already after the flood events of 2002 and 2005 it was clear for Salzburg that flood protection only makes sense in connection with ecological measures, anything else would be “against nature”. The flood protection projects implemented with this purpose in the recent years bring added value for people and nature and speak for themselves. The further development of the planning instrument “River Development and Risk Management Concept” in an Austria-wide process with support from EU funds is of great benefit. Salzburg gladly participates and makes it a priority.”

Landeshauptmann-Stellvertreter Josef Geisler

“In the past, rivers and streams were often heavily regulated to cope with the danger of flooding, but today new paths are being taken. Flood protection and ecological river development now go hand in hand and are often associated with added value for those seeking recreation. By participating in this LIFE project, Tyrol will be able, with the support of EU funds, to lay the foundations for flood protection in harmony with water protection and river development on the Drava and Isel rivers.”

Landesrat. Ök.-Rat Johann Seitinger

„The LIFE IRIS project Enns combines the ecological requirements of the river Enns’ environment and improves the safety of the population. This project is a good example for the fact that common strategies are necessary to achieve a sustainable improvement for the Enns Valley.”

Sektionschef DI Günter Liebel

„Hochwasserschutz und Gewässerschutz müssen kein Widerspruch sein! Mit dem Planungsinstrument „Gewässerentwicklungs- und Risikomanagementkonzept“ können in einem fachübergreifenden Planungsprozess die besten Lösungen für unsere Gewässer erarbeitet werden. Das IRIS-Projekt bietet die Möglichkeit, dass Bund und Bundesländer gemeinsam mit der viadonau dieses Instrument testen, evaluieren und verbessern. Damit legt das IRIS-Projekt einen wichtigen Grundstein für ein erfolgreiches integratives Flussraummanagement in Österreich.”

Landesrat Mag. Heinrich Dorner

“The implementation of preventive flood protection measures is a central concern of the Province of Burgenland. In the recent past, flood protection projects have already been accompanied by river ecology initiatives. The aim is on the one hand to protect the local population and their possessions from natural hazards and on the other hand to restore natural habitats in the rivers.”

OUR PROJECT PARTNERS