Lower Austria completes 35 flood protection projects after 2024 disaster

Lower Austria has completed 35 flood protection projects worth around 141 million euros, two years after extreme rainfall caused rivers and streams to burst their banks across the state, ORF reported.

More than 130,000 emergency responders were deployed during the flooding in September 2024, according to the state government. Assistance also came from other Austrian provinces. The Pielach, Sierning, Perschling, Große Tulln, Kleine Tulln, Lainsitz and the upper reaches of the Kamp were among the worst affected waterways.

One of the largest completed projects is the Rossatz-Arnsdorf flood protection scheme in Krems district along the Danube, which cost nearly 40 million euros. Other projects include measures along the Lainsitz in Gmünd costing 12.2 million euros, flood protection in Krems worth 11 million euros and work on the Hagenbach in St. Andrä-Wördern in Tulln district costing 10.5 million euros.

Nearly eight million euros was invested in measures along the Traisen in Lilienfeld, while 6.5 million euros went towards flood protection on the Braunaubach in Schrems in Gmünd district.

37 more projects under way

Another 37 projects with a combined value of around 55 million euros have started since the flooding. They include a 9.1 million euro flood protection project in St. Veit an der Gölsen in Lilienfeld district and a retention basin for the Nadelbach in St. Pölten costing around 5.5 million euros.

A retention area costing 4.8 million euros is being created in Pulkau in Hollabrunn district. A further construction phase worth 4.5 million euros is under way in St. Leonhard am Forst in Melk district. Other projects concern the Kamp in Langenlois, Kaltenleutgeben in Mödling district and a tributary of the Erlauf in Wieselburg in Scheibbs district. A further 2.1 million euro flood protection project is also being built in Pulkau.

Work on 32 additional flood protection projects is scheduled to begin by the end of 2028. The state government has earmarked around 160 million euros for them. The largest planned schemes include flood protection along the Pielach worth 22 million euros and the renovation of dams along the Perschling costing nearly 20 million euros. Both rivers were severely affected by the 2024 flooding.

Other planned projects include a 13 million euro scheme in the Donaugraben section, an 11 million euro project in Schwechat in Bruck an der Leitha district and measures along the Große Erlauf worth eight million euros. Projects are also planned in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, Krems-Stein, Amstetten, Melk and Katzelsdorf in Wiener Neustadt district.

In total, 104 projects have been completed, started or scheduled to begin by 2028, with a combined value of around 356 million euros. About 160 million euros relates to projects that have not yet begun.

More space for rivers

Flood protection efforts will not rely solely on dams and other structures, said Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf of the Austrian People’s Party. Around one third of the measures aim to retain water and give waterways more space, including retention measures and river widening.

Existing protection structures prevented greater damage during the 2024 flooding, the state Wildbach and Avalanche Control service said last year. Retention basins in Hofstetten-Grünau, Weinburg, Wilhelmsburg, Altlengbach and Horn were among those that proved effective.

The state government has also expanded its monitoring network. By early 2027, Lower Austria is expected to have 364 stations with remote transmission for water levels, precipitation, air temperature and groundwater.

Data from waterways in Lower Austria is collected at 930 stations, while 59 stations provide forecasts. The expanded network is intended to make it possible to assess flood developments earlier and more accurately.