Salzach habitat: New project for safety and quality of life!

Salzach habitat: New project for safety and quality of life!

The Salzach will soon become a bit more natural and safer. The “Lebensraum Salzach” water association has laid the decisive foundations for the so-called “Salzach Plan”, which extends over around 10.5 kilometers between the Lehen and Urstein power plants. The aim of the project is to both modernize flood protection and improve the ecological quality of the river. “Safety and quality of life along the Salzach are clearly a priority,” emphasizes Bernhard Auinger, chairman of the association and mayor of the city of Salzburg. A holistic approach is required to serve both flood protection and the needs of cyclists and pedestrians.

The Salzach Plan oversees measures that not only aim to ensure that flood protection is up to date, but also to improve the river basin and improve accessibility. A risk analysis is currently being carried out that deals with possible flood events. Those responsible want to take concrete steps as soon as possible: measurements and hydraulic investigations are to be completed this year. This will be followed by detailed planning, which will begin in 2027 and will probably take until 2028 for approvals. The earliest possible start to construction is therefore expected in 2029.

Challenges along the Salzach

Since its regulation in the 1870s, the Salzach has often been monotonous; many banks are hard-built and offer little habitat for flora and fauna. This can have serious consequences: bank cracks and overloaded flood protection systems could lead to widespread flooding in densely populated urban areas. This is where the Salzach Plan comes into play, which deals with a comprehensive solution that takes different requirements into account.

Experts have already developed solutions that have been discussed in the surrounding communities of Anif and Elsbethen as well as in Salzburg itself. A uniform concept is intended to enhance the Salzach habitat and create synergies between the different possible uses. The natural design of the banks can represent a valuable expansion for the urban space with “nature-based solutions”. Emphasis is also placed on attractive water design, which both benefits the quality of life of citizens and can provide urban impetus.

Financing and the way forward

As with many large-scale projects, financial resources are a crucial point. The federal government has agreed to cover 80 percent of the costs for protective structures and ecological measures, while the remaining 20 percent will be borne by the water board. In order not to lose sight of the property owners' interests, discussions about possible variants are planned starting next year. In the meantime, care is also being taken to ensure that existing infrastructures are taken into account in order to clarify conflicts between different usage requirements at an early stage.

Overall, the Salzach Plan promises not only an improvement in flood protection, but also an opportunity to make the Salzach a habitat again that meets the needs of nature and people. It remains to be seen how the plans can be implemented in concrete terms, but the first steps have already been set. It seems as if the Salzach is well on its way to becoming a valuable and safe habitat for future generations.

For more information about the current status and plans along the Salzach, please visit the website of my district, salzburg.gv.at and the Federal Environment Agency.