Hot Spots & Highlights
The Eferdinger Becken and the Traun-Danube floodplains are Natura 2000 areas close to the Danube. Both have the conservation of natural riverine landscapes as their goal. On the Danube itself, free flowing sections can only be found on a small scale in the downstream sections of the hydropower plants.
Near the Ottensheim hydropower plant, a larger, free-flowing section with dynamic flows has been preserved. This section with natural gravel dynamics has high potential for renaturation measures. On the opposite riverbank are the Ottensheim regatta course, the mouth of the river Rodl and the cycling track Donauradweg.
By 2026, the IRIS rivers will be transformed into vibrant river landscapes, offering more space for people and nature. Discover the measures that are gradually enhancing these waterways – creating rivers that connect people and nature.
MORE ABOUT IRIS MEASURES >
In the Marktau area near Ottensheim and Wilhering, an…
Need for Action
For the Danube in Upper Austria, the main goal is to counteract the ongoing trend of riverbed deepening. From an ecological point of view, the restoration of the Danube’s and its tributaries longitudinal continuity (passability for fish) is also a priority. It is also important to create side waters sheltered from waves as habitat for breeding and juvenile fish.
Gravel islands and -banks, which once characterised the Upper Danube, have virtually disappeared due to the damming of the Danube. They are important nesting areas for gravel breeders who need open gravel areas as breeding grounds. Key habitats such as these must be restored, taking into account the Natura 2000 protected areas.
Goals
In the area of tension between flood protection, hydropower use, shipping and nature conservation, the interests, responsibilities and planning framework conditions on the Danube in Upper Austria are particularly complex. For the first time in the history of the river, the project LIFE IRIS offers the opportunity to develop a joint action plan as result of a GE-RM planning process. Preparatory work for the planning process has been carried out and is now to be integrated – supplemented by further surveys and analyses – into a concept of measures, which is also coordinated and agreed with stakeholders.
Additionally a pilot measure with added value for flood protection and river ecology will be implemented. It is planned to create a gravel island and a side branch in the downstream section of the hydropower plant Ottensheim. By lowering the terrain, pioneer areas for gravel islands and floodplain forest sites will be created and the flood runoff will be improved.
Did you know?
… the Danube is the second longest river in Europe and almost all of Austria lies in its catchment area?
… the Danube is a mountain river in hydrological terms? The Inn is its most important feeder. The Traun and Enns also bring water “from the Alps”.
Outlook and time plan
The preliminary study has already been completed. By the end of 2022, the “Danube River Development and Risk Management Concept” was prepared. This was followed by the development of a detailed design for a pilot project, scheduled for completion by tearly 2027.
