Equally as important, the area of open gravel banks was reduced from 63ha to just 3.4ha over the same time period. Along the first 1,000km of the river, there are currently 58 dams from its spring in the Black Forest to the Slovakian-Hungarian border. The last remaining stretches of free flowing water only exist near the mouth of the River Isar in Bavaria, in the Wachau and east of Vienna, where after a long struggle, this project site was officially protected in 1996.

One of the last major plans of interference was to construct a dam for the Hainburg Power Station. In late 1984, after the first trees were felled to make space for the dam, thousands of people from all over Austria, including activists from WWF and people from abroad occupied the area.

Just before Christmas, the Austrian chancellor suggested a moratorium. Several government commissions declared the region as worthy of being declared a national park. After a long struggle, through which WWF Austria became a powerful force, the Danube Floodplain National Park was announced in 1996.

Threat
The reduced flow of water in the river was actually due to the build up of sediment layers through the years, raising the area rather than it actually drying out. These layers have been established due to extreme high water events, and there was no chance that the old flooding regime of the river would clear them.

Sedimentation has also occurred due to regulation of the river and the loss of natural erosion in the floodplain. Some river bed erosion has also taken place, partly due to navigation in the river. Previously, the area was overexploited by fishing. Fish have also regularly been introduced purely for fishing purposes, which overpopulates the river and upsets its natural balance.

The major goal of all the restoration efforts is to allow the Danube water into the floodplain on a more regular basis, in order:

• To get the floodplain "breathing" again;
  
• To clear off old sediments and enhance erosion;
  
• To improve the natural dynamics, creating diverse habitat structures;
  
• To improve the breeding grounds for fish;
  
• To establish conditions for rare and endangered freshwater invertebrates;
  
• To set an example for other areas along larger rivers in Europe.

Organisational and Legal Framework
The Waterways Administration (WSD) using funding of 30 million ATS from the Austrian Ministry of Economy, is carrying out the project. WWF, which owns the Regelsbrunner Au, has been the driving force for restoration, supported by the national park administration.

WWF also provided scientific support to most of the questions arising from floodplain management. The University of Vienna and the Bodenkultur University are monitoring the impact of this management on the plants and animals. (Source: WWF European Fresh Water Programme)

Information & Contact:
Ulrich Eichelmann
WWF Austria
Ottakringer Straße 114-116, Vienna, Austria

Tel. +43 1 48817-0