Wachau and Danube restoration in Austria
Within an Austrian LIFE Nature project, gravel banks have been established along the Danube in the Wachau, and dried site-arms have been reconnected. The measures aimed at improving biodiversity through providing spawning habitats, as well as controling erosion and run-off. As a particularity, the gravel used in the project stemmed from maintenance works for the shipping channel of the Danube. The project has been initiated and implemented by a local association (Arbeitskreis Wachau), which includes several communities.
All implemented measures of "LIFE Nature Wachau" are still operational and most of them were further optimized by additional projects.
The Sidebranch reconnections of Grimsing and Rührsdorf-Rossatz are still existent and working.
Sidebranch Grimsing was expanded upstream by a new sidebrach Schallemmersdorf and significantly lengthened in 2011 - 2013 as a result of the project LIFE+ Mostviertel Wachau (lead partner: Land NÖ, implementation: viadonau). Now the sidebranch system Schallemmersdorf – Grimsing has a length of more than 4 km in total. The connection to the main stream of Donau is still working at low water level. The sidebranch system now is an important spawning area and habitat for rheopilic fish species which are typical to the Danube. The sidebranch system and the alluvial forest enclosed by it continue to serve as flood area. Further measures to expand the sidebranch system are currently planned by municipality of Emmersdorf (implementation of a new oxbow at sidebranch Grimsing).
Sidebranch Rührsdorf- Rossatz was expanded downstream by a new sidebranch Schopperstatt and significantly lengthened in 2019 – 2022 as a result of the project LIFE+ Wilderness Wachau (lead partner: viadonau, implementation: viadonau). The new sidebranch system Rührsdorf – Rossatz - Schopperstatt has a length of more than 5 km in total. The connection to the main stream of Donau is still working at low water level. The sidebranch system now is an important spawning area and habitat for rheophilic fish species which are typical to the Danube. The sidebranch system and the alluvial forest enclosed by it continue to serve as flood area.
The Revitalized oxbow Aggsbach has silted up after a few years. Municipality Schönbühel- Aggsbach therefore initiated a new project in 2013/2014 (Strukturierung Altarm Aggsbach) to further expand the oxbow lake and make it available as a spawning habitat for stagnophilous fish species. The funktion as water reservoir has been restored.
The creation of flat gravel banks and gravel islands as part of the maintenance of the Danube navigation channel has been continued since "LIFE Nature Wachau" was implemented until year 2022 (implementation: viadonau). Currently, new official permits must be obtained in order to be able to continue the work in the future.
Today, the project is still relevant and working; project was (and still is) continuously expanded through follow-up activities. The ecological goals in the Wachau could / can only be achieved through the sum of several implemented projects and ongoing maintenance activities.
Overview
• reactivate lateral water systems: 9 km of running water biospheres near Grimsing, Rührsdorf, Aggsbach, Rossatzbach
• manage dry grassland: 100 ha regenerated
• maintain and improve wooded stocks which are relevant to the FFH: app. 158 ha
• create a Natural Protection Coordination function in Wachau: Spitz castle
| Authority type | Authority name | Authority role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGO | Arbeitskreis Wachau regional development group | Initiation of the measure | The Arbeitskreis Wachau is a cooperation platform of 13 communities of the Wachau as well as representatives from viticulture, culture and nature conservation.It is the initiator of the project, and also responsible for the implementation of the measures. |
| NGO | via donau - Austrian Waterways Association | Financing | via donau is digging gravels for maintaining the shipping channels. This material is being used to restore the gravel banks and islets within the project. |
| Other | Wachau community | — | Local communities |
| NGO | LANIUS association | — | — |
| Other | Federal State of Lower Austria | Financing | Financing through the Lower Austrian Landscape Fund. |
| NGO | Lower Austrian Fisheries Association | Other | The angling club hat set initial impulses for the project and has showed persistent efforts to get the project accepted. Their local relationships were also important for getting the consent of numerous landowners. They have also contributed to the financing. |
| National water authority | Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Protection | Financing | — |
Site Information
Surrounding Hills: dry hillside forests, vineyards, dryland grasses, rockfalls, infrastructure (streets etc.)
Design and Implementation
• New, wave protected sidebranches for rheophilic fish species
• New sidebranches which are connected to the Danube all year round (even low water level)
• Shallow, wave- protected gravel banks for spawning fish and juvenile fish
• Rights of third parties must not be affected (eg. flood protection, navigability of the Danube)
• Restrictions of flood protection
• Navigability of the Danube
• Restrictions of nature protection (eg. limitation of construction time, compensatory measures)
• Restrictions of forest law (reforestation)
Financing
Policy and Governance
| Wider plan type | Wider plan focus | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catchment-based | Environment & Biodiversity | ecological renaturation potential on the Austrian Danube | Project of ezb - TB Zauner, commissioned by viadonau & government of Lower Austria (Land NÖ); Commissioned by viadonau & government of Lower Austria (Land NÖ); |
| Activity stage | Activity type | Key issues | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation phase | Intensive media work | Amongst others, the project has organised the Austrian LIFE-platform in 2005 and was presented at various meetings, conferences and events. The project was also awarded the first prize in the Milestones - "Dr. Erwin Pröll" future prize in the "In Uniso with Nature" category. | — |
| Implementation phase | Networking activities | Networking activities have taken place with experts from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Poland. | — |
| Implementation phase | Visits to target groups | — | 37 visits to target groups have been made during the project. |
Impacts and Monitoring
Monitoring System
Methods:
• Electro fishing by boat
• Pole fishing
• Point Abundance
• Electric bottom trawl (partly)
• Longline
• Gill net / net fishing
Monitoring of ecological status in relation to WFD is ongoing by BMLUK
Maintenance
Biophysical impacts: Hydrology
Biophysical impacts: Biodiversity
Biophysical impacts: Water & Soil Quality
Biophysical impacts: Others
Lessons Learned
| Driver type | Driver role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Organisation committed to it | Main driver | The Arbeitskreis Wachau regional development group and the angling association committed themselves to the project and set initial impulses. |
| Public pressure | Main driver | Interest of local municipalities (fish deaths caused problems with tourism) Interest of fisheries associations |
| Legal obligations | Main driver | EU Water Framework directive (to gain good ecological status) Natura 2000 directives (good status for protected species, habitats) |
| Availability of subsidies | Main driver | LIFE Programme of EU |
| Success factor type | Success factor role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Attitude of relevant stakeholders | Main factor | The commitment of local stakeholders has been crucial for launching and implementing the project. |
| Public participation | Secondary factor | The commitment of the local angling association was important to convince the more than 20 local landowners to make their land available. |