On October 24th the experts from the Donau-Auen National Park and the Austrian waterway operator viadonau hosted representatives of the Duna-Ipoly Nature Park, the Central Danube Valley Water Management Directorate (KDVVIZIG) and the Viziterv Consult Ltd company from Hungary.
The idea of the visit was to share the Austrian experience of restoring the river dynamics and revitalizing the Danube islands and side arms with the colleagues, planning the restoration projects in Fertő-Hanság Nature Park and the Duna-Iploly Nature Park in Hungary. The restorations are planned within two ongoing EU-funded projects - the LIFE WILDisland and Danube4all Horizon project.
The trip took place on a rubber boat from Wildungsmauer to the Devin Castle and the experts could visit several completed and on-going restoration projects, such as the Witzelsdorf pilot groyne adaptation project, the Schwalbeninsel island complex (LIFE WILDisland project site) and the Spittelauer side-arm restoration site.
The experts could discuss the success and efficiency of various conservation measures as well as their impact on the navigation along the Danube. We hope that this visit will expire the Hungarian hydro-engineers and water management authorities to adjust their plans and actions to further maximize the expected restoration results, save costs and optimize the expected impacts, as we believe it is possible to combine river dynamics and nature protection with flood protection and navigation.
For more information:
Georg Frank - Donau-Auen National Park: g.frank@donauauen.at