Half-time for Greifenstein Fish Bypass
In the course of the EU-LIFE+ project “Danube Network”, the Danube power plant at Greifenstein is being provided with a new fish bypass. After a brief summer break, construction work in the Danube wetlands at Stockerau will be resumed and completed by spring 2018.
A stream close to its natural state will help the fish overcome the 10 metre high barrier wall of the Danube power plant. This requires a 4.4 kilometre channel to bypass the existing, ecologically valuable areas. So far, around 180,000 m3 of gravel have been transported in the wetlands to Greifenstein Power Plant. In order to minimise transportation requirements, the surplus gravel will be put to use nearby elsewhere, either for wildlife protection purposes or for building projects in the vicinity.
Trial fishing runs by means of fish traps have already demonstrated the effectiveness of the fish ladder on the Danube, as experts in Ottenseheim (Upper Austria) or Nussdorf (Danube Canal) will confirm. Modern fish ladders also offer natural habitats. In Greifenstein, potholes and specially grounded trees offer habitats for aquatic life and birds. Two allocation structures guarantee for the supply of the necessary amount of water at all times, including floods and low water periods.
Connection of ecological zones on the Danube
Freedom of movement for fish is only one of the goals of the LIFE+ Network Danube project. The main goal is the connection of existing ecologically sound areas and renaturation projects. The Greifenstein fish ladder is situated in the European nature conservation area "Tullnerfelder Donauauen", the largest connected floodplains area in Austria.
Partner for a healthy Danube
The project is funded by six financing partners: the EU, as part of the LIFE+ programme; the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Water Management; the provincial governments of Upper and Lower Austria respectively; and the provincial fishing authorities of Upper and Lower Austria respectively.
