LIFE+ Mostviertel – Wachau

Downstream of Melk the side arm system Schallemmersdorf/Grimsing with a total length of 4km was created as well as a side arm at Schönbühel with a length of 1.5km. Upstream of Dürnstein the biotope Frauengärten was established. These backwaters are now connected year-round to the main river and provide important and wave protected habitats for the fish species of the Danube. The shallow gravel banks, where water has a high velocity, serve many fish species as spawning areas; the bays with a more steady flow are primarily used by juvenile fish. The deep areas and potholes of the river are important wintering areas. With that, every stage in the lifetime of fish is taken into account.

Also other groups of animals profit from these measures. Carvity nesters like the kingfisher populate the eroded vertical river banks along the backwaters and the shallow gravel banks are used as nesting areas by gravel-breeders like the sandpiper or the little ringed plover. For amphibians special water bodies were built, serving as spawning grounds.

Because of this sustainable contribution to the quality of habitats and the high conservation status of the flora and fauna in the project area, the initiative was awarded Best LIFE Nature Project 2015 by the European Commission.