Götzis reopens access to Örflaschlucht gorge after flood works

Access to the Örflaschlucht gorge in Götzis has reopened following work on the Örfla flood-retention basin, ORF reports. Construction of the flood-control structure on the Emmebach stream took about two years. The basin is due to enter operation in summer 2027.

The basin, just above Riebe swimming pool, can hold around 47,000 cubic metres of water. During heavy rain, it is designed to retain some of the flow and release it in a controlled way, reducing the amount of water reaching lower sections of the Emmebach at once.

The state says the facility is designed to handle a so-called 100-year flood: a flood of a magnitude that has a one per cent probability of being reached or exceeded in any given year.

The dam is complete, but work remains on the monitoring and control systems, along with minor finishing tasks. These are expected to be completed by spring 2027. The project also includes a rack upstream of the basin to catch driftwood. The Immakulata spring was sealed to prevent stream water from entering when the basin is full.

The project costs about 10.8 million euros. The federal government is covering 45.5 per cent, the state 40 per cent and the municipality of Götzis the remaining 14.5 per cent.