Austria reconnects old March river meander

An old meander on the Austrian side of the March river has been reconnected to the main channel as part of a cross-border restoration project with Slovakia, ORF reported. The work will allow the river to follow its original course more closely.

Construction has progressed rapidly in recent months because of favourable weather and water-flow conditions. The meander on the Slovak side has already been reconnected. In Austria, large quantities of sediment were moved and placed in the regulated river channel. The former regulated sections will now serve as additional areas of still water, project operator viadonau said.

Restoration and flood protection

The measures are intended to return the March to a more natural and ecologically improved state. Improvements have been carried out since March as part of the cross-border reConnect and EU co-funded Restore4Life projects.

In Lower Austria, the project covers the municipalities of Hohenau an der March, Ringelsdorf-Niederabsdorf and Drösing, all in Gänserndorf district.

“By restoring the March, we are giving the river more space and creating valuable habitats for animals and plants,” Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig said. Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke described the project as one that combines environmental responsibility with regional economic value.

Lower Austria Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf said the strategy was to retain water across the landscape and capture rain where it falls. This would benefit fish and other species and help lower water levels during floods, he said.

Removing the regulating stone reinforcements and reconnecting two former meanders will extend the March by about 900 metres. The gradient of the riverbed will also be reduced. Lowering the banks will allow the river to connect more closely with its immediate surroundings and neighbouring floodplain forests.

The measures are expected to improve conditions for plants and animals and strengthen the landscape’s natural water retention. About 2.7 million euros has been allocated for implementation through 2027.